15 residents, 11 staff infected at North Cape May facility
NORTH CAPE MAY – The Cape May County Health Department confirmed Monday, April 6, that 15 residents and 11 staff members at Victoria Manor, a Genesis health care facility located at 3809 Bayshore Road in North Cape May, tested positive for COVID-19.
No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak as of Monday morning, the department said..
“Public health has been preparing for the possibility of outbreaks happening in skilled nursing facilities and other congregate care settings and we have provided clear guidance for facilities in responding and controlling the spread of illness,” according to Cape May County Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing Mary Tighe. “We in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Health are working closely with the facilities now to protect residents and staff.”
The county Health Department said it began investigating immediately upon notification of ill staff and residents within the facility and began testing ill staff and residents. In response to these positive tests, the health department assisted in delivering 400 surgical masks and 200 gowns.
Staff and residents who do not have serious symptoms are monitored, medically isolated but not hospitalized. Victoria Manor is a skilled nursing facility with 120 beds.
“The situation is very serious, and we are deeply concerned about residents of our senior care facilities in Cape May County,” according to Cape May County Health Officer Kevin Thomas. “That is why we need everyone to follow the stay-at-home order, social distancing guidance and other measures in recent health orders – to protect the people in our community who are vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.”
In addition, there has been one confirmed death in Cape May County and more than 99 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.
