New Jersey implores people to practice social distancing as hospitals brace for surging demand

New Jersey health officials said the state is continuing to take steps to increase hospital bed capacity to deal with the expected surge in coronavirus patients, but said the number of beds needed will diminish if people step up their efforts to adhere to social distancing measures. "The only tool we have in our tool kit is social distancing," said N.J. Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, during a press briefing Monday afternoon. Persichilli said New Jersey went into the COVID-19…