One of Gov. Phil Murphy’s closest aides has tested positive for the coronavirus and another senior administration official was tested as New Jersey continues to battle the pandemic, NJ Advance Media has learned.
Matt Platkin, chief counsel for Murphy’s administration, “recently” tested positive for the virus, Murphy spokesman Mahen Gunaratna said in a statement.
“He is currently asymptomatic and has been in quarantine since last Saturday while continuing to actively work from home,” Gunaratna addd.
Platkin was one of Murphy’s earliest supporters and has served as Murphy’s chief counsel since the governor took office. He worked on Murphy’s campaign prior to the election.
Gunaratna didn’t provide additional specifics about whether other senior officials were tested. He did say Murphy, who is recovering from surgery he had March 4 to remove a cancerous tumor from his kidney, has not been tested since Platkin’s diagnosis.
But at least one other close aide to the governor was also tested for the virus, according to two sources with knowledge but weren’t authorized to speak on the record.
Murphy has said twice in recent weeks that he has not been tested because he is not showing symptoms of COVID-19. The state is testing only symptomatic residents so far because of a lack of supplies.
The governor’s office declined further comment Wednesday evening, saying Murphy would answer questions about the situation at his daily press briefing Thursday.
Platkin had been attending Murphy’s daily press briefings in Trenton. But he has been absent this week.
Murphy’s office has been requiring reporters in recent days to wear face coverings to the briefings at the Trenton War Memorial. Reporters also sit at least six feet away from each other to practice social distancing.
New Jersey, a state of 9 million residents, has at least 47,437 cases and at least 1,504 deaths from COVID-19, Murphy announced Wednesday. That’s more than any U.S. state but New York and more than all but eight countries.
To help reduce the virus’ spread, Murphy only ordered New Jerseyans to stay at home, banned social gatherings, closed schools, and mandated non-essential retail businesses close until further notice.
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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01.
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