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N.J. to Release Low-Level Prisoners, Suspend Elective Surgeries

N.J. to Release Low-Level Prisoners, Suspend Elective Surgeries

(Bloomberg) -- New Jersey’s expanded testing for coronavirus turned up another 930 confirmed cases in the last day, pushing the total to 2,884, Governor Phil Murphy said.

Murphy on Monday outlined new steps the state was taking to slow the spread of the virus, including a plan to release low-level offenders from county jails.

The disclosure follows an order by New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio on Sunday for the release of 23 inmates from the city’s jail system. The city’s correctional authorities are reviewing 200 other cases as well, de Blasio said.

Murphy, at a news conference on Monday, also said he signed an executive order suspending all elective medical and dental procedures starting at 5 p.m. on Friday.

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