Coronavirus: 3 members of single family die after 7 infected in New Jersey

Three members of a New Jersey family are dead after seven tested positive for coronavirus.

Friends keep asking me why the government needed to shut things down, tell people to stay home, is it really that big a deal, aren't we overreacting. I hope they read this story. https://t.co/4SlQwV9mD5
— John Schwartz (@jswatz) March 19, 2020

According to the New York Times, Grace Fusco, 73, of Freehold, died from the virus late Wednesday, the same day the illness killed her oldest son, Carmine Fusco of Pennsylvania. Grace Fusco's oldest child, Rita Fusco-Jackson of Freehold, also died from the virus Friday, the newspaper reported. Both Carmine Fusco and Fusco-Jackson were 55, according to NJ.com.

The news came as four other family members remained hospitalized with the illness, a relative told the Times. Three are listed in critical condition, the newspaper reported.

Health officials believe the virus spread to the family members as they gathered for dinner March 10, according to the Times.