New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy quarantines after relative tests positive for COVID-19

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy went into self-quarantine Wednesday after one of his family members tested positive for COVID-19, according to his spokesman.

Murphy tested negative for the virus earlier Wednesday, but the elected official still canceled his in-person press conference and chose to quarantine out of caution, said communications director Mahen Gunaratna.

“A member of the governor’s family recently tested positive for COVID-19. Per guidance from public health officials, the contact tracing process has begun to notify everyone who may have come into contact with the governor’s family member during the potential infection window,” Gunaratna said in a statement.

“After careful review, the governor does not qualify as an exposed close contact. However, out of an abundance of caution and in the line with the highest levels of commitment to protecting public health, the governor will be canceling in person events and voluntarily quarantining before resuming any in person engagements,” said Gunaratna.

New Jersey saw a 12.16% COVID positivity rate on Saturday, and a statewide rate of transmission of .81%.

As of Wednesday, 88 people from New Jersey died from coronavirus, bringing the state death total up to 20,004.