Seven new cases, but five people have recovered, Department of Health reports
Editor’s note: This story is the latest update of figures from late Tuesday afternoon, March 31.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Late Tuesday afternoon, the Cape May County Department of Health reported seven additional COVID-19 active cases in the county as the statewide number increased to 18,896 with 267 deaths.
Lower Township now leads the county with six active cases. The City of Cape May and Dennis Township each have three cases.
Wildwood, Middle Township and Avalon have two cases of the coronavirus.
Communities with one active case each are North Wildwood, Sea Isle City and Wildwood Crest.
The new cases, according to the Department of Health, are a 26-year-old male, 51-year-old male, 18-year-old female, 67-year-old female, 76-year-old female, 77-year-old male, and a 29-year-old male.
That makes for a total of 21 active COVID-19 cases in the county. The department also reported five people have recovered from the coronavirus, with one each from Avalon, Lower Township, Ocean City and Upper Township.
Communities now reporting no active cases are Cape May Point, Ocean City, Stone Harbor, Upper Township, West Cape May, West Wildwood and Woodbine.
“There is no treatment at this time for COVID-19, which makes prevention even more important. The best way to prevent COVID-19 is by avoiding exposure and continue with social distancing measures. Refraining from non-essential domestic travel can help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Kevin Thomas, Health Officer, said in the release from the Department of Health.
The county also offered the following information
The Centers for Disease and Control identifies thoe at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Other high-risk conditions could include:
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have serious heart conditions
- People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
- People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
- People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
What can you do, especially if you are at higher risk if severe illness?
- Stay home.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid close contact (6 feet, which is about two arm lengths) with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched services.
- Avoid all cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19. Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System hotline at 211 or 1-800-962-1253, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at www.who.int, the New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net, also like us on Facebook.