By Matt Arco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Gov. Phil Murphy announced 16 new coronavirus deaths and 261 new cases confirmed in the last 24 hours on Thursday as the rate of transmission of the virus remains above 1, a key benchmark in determining the spread of the disease.

The latest update brings the death toll to 15,809 known and probable deaths and 180,970 total confirmed positive tests since the outbreak began nearly five months ago. That includes 13,934 lab-confirmed deaths and 1,875 probable fatalities.

The state hit a one-day high in deaths, 468, on April 30 and a one-day high in new cases, 4,305, on April 3.

The rate of transmission reported Thursday remained steady at 1.14, above the key benchmark of 1. That means that each new case is leading to more than one additional infection and the virus is spreading. The rate of transmission had been below 1 for weeks during the strictest parts of New Jersey’s coronavirus lockdowns, but has wavered above and below 1 in July as more reopening steps have occurred.

Murphy has said the increase above 1 is cause for concern.

The state hit a one-day high in deaths, 468, on April 30 and a one-day high in new cases, 4,305, on April 3.

The rate of transmission reported Thursday remained steady at 1.14, above the key benchmark of 1. That means that each new case is leading to more than one additional infection and the virus is spreading. The rate of transmission had been below 1 for weeks during the strictest parts of New Jersey’s coronavirus lockdowns, but has wavered above and below 1 in July as more reopening steps have occurred.

Murphy has said the increase above 1 is cause for concern.

COUNTY-BY-COUNTY NUMBERS

Atlantic County: 3,331 cases (12 new), 235 confirmed deaths (15 probable)

Bergen County: 20,412 cases (25 new), 1,785 confirmed deaths (255 probable)

Burlington County: 5,732 cases (14 new), 429 confirmed deaths (40 probable)

Camden County: 8,240 cases (19 new), 516 confirmed deaths (55 probable)

Cape May County: 803 cases (1 new), 81 confirmed deaths (5 probable)

Cumberland County: 3,184 cases (7 new), 144 confirmed deaths (13 probable)

Essex County: 19,441 cases (18 new), 1,857 confirmed deaths (243 probable)

Gloucester County: 3,031 cases (14 new), 199 confirmed deaths (7 probable)

Hudson County: 19,434 cases (6 new), 1,330 confirmed deaths (169 probable)

Hunterdon County: 1,125 cases (0 new), 70 confirmed deaths (56 probable)

Mercer County: 8,000 cases (14 new), 571 confirmed deaths (41 probable)

Middlesex County: 17,626 cases (20 new), 1,197 confirmed deaths (206 probable)

Monmouth County: 10,004 cases (21 new), 758 confirmed deaths (100 probable)

Morris County: 7,109 cases (7 new), 677 confirmed deaths (151 probable)

Ocean County: 10,356 cases (27 new), 946 confirmed deaths (68 probable)

Passaic County: 17,384 cases (18 new), 1,091 confirmed deaths (151 probable)

Salem County: 867 cases (1 new), 78 confirmed deaths (5 probable)

Somerset County: 5,170 cases (8 new), 481 confirmed deaths (73 probable)

Sussex County: 1,293 cases (2 new), 158 confirmed deaths (37 probable)

Union County: 16,456 cases (21 new), 1,175 confirmed deaths (171 probable)

Warren County: 1,326 cases (0 new), 157 confirmed deaths (14 probable)

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