By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
Atlantic County has gone 10 days straight with no COVID-19-related fatalities.
It is the longest stretch since the first COVID-19 fatality was reported April 2, county officials said.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, the county Division of Public Health reported there had been no deaths due to the coronavirus for 10 straight days as the number of new cases remained relatively low.
“While we have had other periods of time with three or four consecutive days without a death, this is the longest stretch to date, which is certainly encouraging. But we remind the public to remain vigilant by continuing to wear masks, social distance and practice hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is especially important for those with underlying conditions who are at greater risk for complications and may have more difficult recoveries,” Atlantic County Public Health Officer Patricia Diamond stated.
So far, there have been 241 Atlantic County residents who have succumbed to the coronavirus and 3,700 who have tested positive. Of the 3,754, 2,141 have been listed as recovered, health officials said.
On Tuesday, there were 26 cases in residents from 7 to 82 years old. On Monday, there were 18 new cases of COVID-19, including a 2-month-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. The other cases were in residents up to 83 years old.
On Sunday, there were only seven positive cases and the day before, 12 cases.
The most recent new cases, reported Monday, included seven in Atlantic City, six in Hamilton Township, four in Egg Harbor Township, three in Pleasantville, two in Galloway, and one each in Brigantine, Hammonton, Linwood and Ventnor.On Friday, Aug. 7, there were 13 new cases in residents from 6 years old to 66; and on Thursday, 11 new cases among residents from 17 to 51 years old. On Aug. 5, there were 13 new cases.
Drive-thru testing each Tuesday
Atlantic County offers COVID-19 testing at its drive-thru facility in Northfield behind the county public works yard at Route 9 and Dolphin Avenue. Testing is 9 to 11 a.m. each Tuesday in August.
Testing is for symptomatic and asymptomatic county residents with or without a doctor’s prescription. Residents must make an appointment for testing and provide proof of county residency and appointment confirmation.
Appointments can be made online at www.aclink.org.
Those who are unable to keep their appointments are asked to cancel no less than 24 hours in advance so others may have an opportunity to fill those spots.
