See related story, page A8.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
As New Jersey as a whole was reporting 3,675 positive tests for the COVID-19 virus by Tuesday afternoon, officials at Shore Medical Center and AtlantiCare said they were treating their own limited cases of the coronavirus.
So far, there are 44 COVID-19 related deaths in New Jersey.
Cape Regional Health System in Cape May Court House did not report any cases as of Monday morning, but cases locally are starting to creep up.
On Monday, March 23, according to the New Jersey Department of Health, there were 2,844 positive cases and 27 deaths spread across all 21 counties in the state.
On Tuesday, Atlantic County’s Department of Health confirmed its seventh case, according to Linda Gilmore, public information officer for Atlantic County.
Cape May County reported its sixth case on Tuesday.
So far, the southern and northernmost counties reported the fewest positive test results for COVID-19. Cumberland and Salem counties each reported a single positive test, Gloucester County reported 13 and, in the northwest corner, Sussex County had 15 positive tests and Warren County had 12.
Before the numbers on Tuesday were added in, the greatest number of cases was in Bergen County, with 609 positive test results; Essex County, 273; Monmouth, 238; Middlesex, 210; Hudson, 190; and Union, 189.
Ocean County reported 144.
On Saturday, the Cape May County Department of Health announced the third positive test result, a 62-year-old female who is isolated at home and recovering. The first two last week were a 30-year-old county man and a 32-year-old resident of New York City who was visiting the county.
On Monday afternoon, the department said two more Cape May County residents tested positive, a 71-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man. On Tuesday, it announced a 32-year-old New York woman, who is visiting the county, also tested positive.
“These new positive cases indicate that COVID-19 is circulating throughout the county and is a reminder that social distancing and quarantine controls are the best measure in controlling this disease,” the department stated in a press release.
“We don’t have any COVID-19 patients as of this morning, but that can change moment by moment,” Susan Staeger, marketing and public relations coordinator at Cape Regional Health Systems, said on Monday. “We have not received any reports of any here at the hospital. As soon as we do, we will advise the Cape May County Department of Health.”
“There are patients being treated at Shore Medical Center, suspicious for COVID-19 virus infection,” a hospital spokesman said Sunday evening at the Somers Point facility. “Shore continues to follow its informed and precautionary COVID-19 triage processes when patients present to the hospital for evaluation to mitigate the spread of the virus, protect and keep our staff safe and care for the patients and families.
“Recently, one of the patients hospitalized at Shore was a confirmed positive for COVID-19 and we anticipate being informed of a second positive hospitalized patient. Both remain in respiratory isolation and are in stable condition,” the spokesman said.
“Shore’s focus remains safe patient care and the safety of our dedicated staff. We continue to follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and are in continuous communication with our neighboring health care entities to learn from each other and employ consistent strategies together,” he said.
“We ask that all in the community heed the call to social distance and first seek an electronic contact with your primary care provider before visiting any medical setting for symptoms unless you would otherwise seek 911 for symptoms that need urgent attention. For those seeking electronic contact with a primary care provider, Shore Physicians Group is offering telehealth visits. For phone numbers to providers, visit www.shorephysiciansgroup.com.
Change in Strategy:
Testing for COVID-19
The Cape May County Department of Health was following the lead of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, that because of the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), testing for COVID-19 should only be done on symptomatic health care workers, those who are hospitalized and seniors in long-term care facilities or with pre-existing health conditions.
In addition to the tests, which are in short supply across the nation and hard to get locally (see related story on testing), there is a dire shortage of PPE such as N95, surgical masks, gowns and gloves for medical personnel.
“A shortage of PPE will cause our health care workforce to reach a breaking point very soon, forced to make uncomfortable decisions that could include resorting to makeshift protection,” the department stated. “These improvised methods are not the protection that our health care personnel need. If they are unable to protect themselves properly, they will begin to experience increased infection that will cause illness and an inability to work safely. This avoidable reduction in staff would further strain hospital capacity and result in a reduction of patient care.
“As a result, it is important for all residents to stay at home and if sick, quarantine from other household members. If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, follow the Centers for Disease Control steps (following) to help protect other people in your home and community:
Stay home except
to get medical care
– Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
– Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency.
– Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself
from other people
in your home
– Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific “sick room” and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
– Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people.”