CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Active COVID-19 cases jumped 70 percent between Dec. 24 and Jan. 3, according to the Cape May County Department of Health. Four deaths attributed to the coronavirus were reported during that 10-day period.
On Jan. 3 the number of active cases was 1,820. On Dec. 24, that number was 1,071 – and those numbers had quadrupled since near the end of November.
“The Omicron variant is spreading throughout the United States at record levels, so what we are seeing here in Cape May County is not unique,” Cape May County Commissioner Director Gerald M. Thornton said. “We ask everyone, especially those in higher risk categories, to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your families.”
Middle Township, Lower Township and Upper Township are still leading the county with the greatest number of active cars.
Active cases in Middle doubled, from 247 10 days ago to 510 reported Monday. Lower Township climbed from 294 to 448 cases and Upper Township increased from 140 to 223.
Ocean City’s active cases doubled from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3, going from 88 to 179.
Cape May still led with the number of active non-resident cases with 40, up slightly from 37.
Other active cases include Dennis Township with 110; Wildwood, 91; North Wildwood, 55; Wildwood Crest, 52; Woodbine, 39; Cape May, 31 (among residents); Sea Isle City, 26; Avalon, 20; West Cape May, 17; Stone Harbor, 11; and West Wildwood, 8.
There are 24 active cases in nursing homes, including 15 in Middle Township, seven in Ocean City and two in Woodbine.
The Department of Health said four people died over the period, including a 48-year-old male from Middle Township, a 61-year-old male from Wildwood Crest, an 88-year-old male from Middle Township and a 90-year-old female from Lower Township.
For more information on obtaining the vaccine, quickly and free of charge, go to https://capemaycountynj.gov/226/Health-Department or call (609) 465-1187. Cape May County has recorded 16,235 COVID-19 cases during the pandemic; 14,138 of those are now off quarantine.
The county has recorded 253 deaths attributed to COVID during the pandemic.
More details on daily reported case numbers can be found at https://capemaycountynj.gov/1418/Covid-19-Dashboard.
There is a vaccine clinic today (Jan. 5) from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Avalon Community Center, 3001 Avalon Ave. in Avalon.
These clinics will provide initial doses and booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Individuals that have received the Moderna vaccine must wait six months before receiving the booster shot. People who have taken the Johnson & Johnson vaccine need to wait two months before getting the booster. Anyone who is 18 years of age or older is now eligible for the COVID-19 booster shot throughout all of New Jersey. These are walk-in clinics. Masks, identification, and COVID-19 Vaccine Cards (if applicable) are required for all clinic locations.