Atlantic County reports four new deaths, more cases
Editor’s note: This is the latest update on the COVID-19 numbers in Cape May and Atlantic counties, filed at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel and Star and Wave
The Cape May County Department of Health reported two new deaths at Victoria Manor in North Cape May, bringing the total to eight at the long-term facility, and Atlantic County reported four deaths, also attributed to the COVID-19 virus.
On Tuesday afternoon, April 14, Cape May County Health Officer Kevin Thomas said, “Nursing homes have been hot spots for this potentially fatal disease throughout the country.”
Talking about the deaths of a 73-year-old female and 93-year-old male at Victoria Manor, he said, “This is an extremely unfortunate situation and certainly our sympathies are with the deceased, family, and friends. We will continue to work with the nursing home and work on preventing further cases and deaths.”
There has been a breakout of COVID-19 at the facility.
The state Health Department’s epidemiologist and Cape May County Health Department’s public health nurses, according to the county, “have investigated and provided continued guidance documents and protective gear to all long-term care facilities throughout the county. As such, the outbreak at Victoria Manor has been the major focus of this department’s attention since the onset of reported cases. To date, there has been 26 residents and 24 staff that have tested positive for COVID-19 including eight deaths.”
“The adherence to guidelines and recommendations by all long-term care facility staff is the critical component in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” the county said.
Around Cape May County
Lower Township now has 56 active cases of COVID-19 and countywide there are 179, the health department reported. Fifty of the 56 cases in the township are at Victoria Manor.
Middle Township has 35, Ocean City has 12, Upper Township has 11 and Wildwood has 10.
Around the county, Wildwood Crest has eight cases, Dennis Township has seven; Avalon has four, North Wildwood has three, Woodbine has two and there is one each in Cape May, Sea Isle City, West Cape May and West Wildwood.
Of the 179 cases, 17 are off quarantine.
Atlantic County
On Tuesday afternoon, the Atlantic County Division of Public Health confirmed four deaths due to complications of COVID-19. All of the residents had underlying health conditions, the division reported. The four latest deaths bring the total in Atlantic County to 13. They included a 65-year-old man and an 82-year-old woman from Egg Harbor Township, a 70-year-old man from Pleasantville and a 67-year-old woman from Atlantic City.
There were also 16 new positive cases involving nine men from 24 to 82 years of age and seven women from 35 to 70.
Atlantic City had five of the new cases while Hamilton Township and Linwood each had two. Absecon, Buena Vista Township, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, Northfield, Pleasantville and Somers Point each had one new positive, according to Atlantic County Public Information Officer Linda Gilmore.
On Wednesday, the Division of Public Health reported another 35 new cases, bringing the countywide total to 327.
Of the 327, 66 cases are reported as “recovered.”
There were no new deaths reported Wednesday, April 15.
Among the new cases Wednesday, 11 were in Egg Harbor Township, seven in Galloway, four in Absecon, three in Pleasantville and two each in Linwood, Atlantic City, Hamilton Township and Hammonton.
There was one new case in Somers Point and one in Brigantine.
Atlantic County testing
Atlantic County started its drive-thru COVID-19 testing for symptomatic residents of the county. That testing will continue 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 16, behind the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing. County residents need a doctor’s prescription and an appointment.
Additional test dates at the same location will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, and Thursday, April 23.
Appointments can be made on the county website at: www.aclink.org/covid. Those who are unable to keep their appointment are asked to cancel so someone else can fill their spot.
