Executive cites COVID-19 down in Atlantic County
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
With Atlantic County COVID-19 cases diminishing and only one reported death attributed to the coronavirus in the past 16 days, County Executive Dennis Levinson said it is time to allow the rest of the state’s businesses to reopen at limited capacity.
“We have already lost Memorial Day and Fourth of July business and are fast approaching Labor Day and the fall season with no indication that the governor will permit indoor dining and entertainment anytime soon,” Levinson said in a press release sent Monday, Aug. 17.
“Our restaurants are dying on the vine and cannot survive on just take-out, delivery and curbside service alone,” he added. “Outdoor dining will become much less appealing as the temperatures drop and our active hurricane season continues to pose threats.”
He said restaurants, and possibly bars, gyms and movie theaters, should be allowed to reopen at limited capacity with the same health and safety requirements that businesses such as Target, Home Depot, ShopRite, Acme, CVS, shopping malls, arcades and child care centers must maintain.
“The governor states that his decisions are based on science and data but we’ve yet to see it. Where’s the data that says that it is somehow safer to open those big box stores and indoor businesses than it would be for a restaurant or movie theater to open,” Levinson stated.
Noting Connecticut and Massachusetts resumed limited indoor dining back in June without any notable increases in Covid-19 cases, he asked, “If others can do it, why can’t we? We’re fighting for our economic lives here and we need the governor to take action.”
Levinson said New Jersey was being hit harder with an economic loss greater than national rates and Atlantic County had a 40 percent drop in gross domestic product. He pointed out Atlantic City’s casinos were closed for the entire second quarter.
Cases down
On Monday, the Atlantic County Department of Public Health said there were 13 new cases of COVID-19 among county residents from 16 to 65 years old. The new cases include four in Pleasantville, three in Hamilton Township, two each in Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township, and one each in Buena Borough and Egg Harbor City.
There are now 3,805 Atlantic County residents who have been confirmed for COVID-19 since March, 2,321 who have been cleared as recovered, and 242 who have died.
On Sunday, there were 15 positive tests among residents from 20 to 85 years old and on Saturday, 25 new cases in residents from 2 to 62 years old.
On Saturday, a 98-year-old Hammonton woman in long-term care with pre-existing conditions was the first reported fatality in 14 days, health officials said.
On Friday, Aug. 14, there were 27 positive test results and on Thursday, Aug. 13, 12 positive test results. On Aug. 12, there were 13 positive tests for the coronavirus.