By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD – COVID-19 cases have surpassed 2,000 in Atlantic County and the death toll from the coronavirus is closing in on 150 residents.
Statewide, there are now more than 155,000 positive COVID-19 test results and 11,144 fatalities. There are 535 long-term care facilities in New Jersey with COVID-19 outbreaks that have affected some 20,566 residents and 9,477 staff members, and led to 4,755 of the state’s deaths, the New Jersey Department of Health reported.
Nationally, the death toll from COVID-19 was approaching 100,000. Worldwide, the death toll is more than 345,000 with more than 5.4 million cases. Of those, there are more than 1.6 million in the U.S.
On Monday, May 25, the Atlantic County Division of Public Health reported three more deaths at long-term care facilities, involving two men, ages 63 and 98, and a 91-year-old woman, all from Northfield. All had underlying health conditions.
County officials reported 46 new cases of the coronavirus among 29 women from 28 to 103 years of age and 17 men from 16 to 98.
Of Monday’s new positive test results, 14 were in Northfield, eight in Hammonton and six in Atlantic City. Absecon, Egg Harbor Township and Pleasantville each had three new cases while Galloway and Ventnor had two. One new case was reported in Egg Harbor City, Folsom, Hamilton Township, Linwood and Weymouth Township.
To date, Atlantic County health officials confirmed 2,060 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 147 deaths related to the coronavirus. They also said 712 residents were cleared as recovered.
Testing site changed
Atlantic County will continue to provide COVID-19 testing, but it moved from the Hamilton Mall to Northfield, behind the county’s Public Works facility at Route 9 and Dolphin Avenue. The new location provides greater protection from the elements in the event of inclement weather, officials said. Testing is being done 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 27-28, for symptomatic county residents with a doctor’s prescription, proof of residency and appointment confirmation.
More cases, deaths
over past week
On Sunday, the county reported 39 positive test results, including two 9-year-olds, but no new deaths.
The cases were in 19 males age 9 to 87 and 20 females ages 9 to 90.
Positive cases included nine residents of Galloway, eight from Atlantic City, six from Pleasantville and five from Hammonton. Absecon, Egg Harbor Township, Linwood and Somers Point all had two new cases while Brigantine, Northfield and Ventnor had one each.
The day before, Saturday, COVID-19 claimed 14 lives in Atlantic County, half from long-term care.
The nine men included four Pleasantville residents, ages 51, 62, 70 and 80; three Hammonton residents, two 66-year-olds and an 88-year-old; and two Linwood residents, ages 80 and 88. The five females included a 71-year-old from Absecon, an 86-year-old from Atlantic City, a 73-year-old from Egg Harbor City, a 91-year-old from Galloway and an 83-year-old from Ventnor.
Additionally, there were 25 new cases of COVID-19 among 12 men from 27 to 71 years old and 13 women from 26 to 81. Six new positives were found in both Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township and three in both Hamilton Township and Pleasantville. Absecon, Buena Vista Township, and Galloway all had two new cases and Somers Point had one.
On Friday, two elderly Hammonton residents, an 82-year-old woman and 97-year-old man, died in long-term care facilities and on Thursday, an 84-year-old Ventnor woman died from COVID-19 complications.
There were 31 news cases of COVID-19 on Friday and 39 new cases reported Thursday, May 21.
The youngest case was in a 5-month-old boy.