Upper Township woman had underlying health conditions; Lower Township leads cases with 21
Editor’s note: This updates the story from earlier today, April 4.
By DAVID NAHAN/Cape May Star and Wave
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County Department of Health reported Saturday, April 4, there are now 54 active COVID-19 cases in the county. The largest concentration is in Lower Township, with 21 cases.
The department also reported the first death in the county from COVID-19 – a 72-year-old woman from Upper Township who had underlying health conditions.
The department is recommending medical masks be reserved for health care providers, but that other masks can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The newest cases Friday in the county included a 56-year-old woman, a 59-year-old woman, a 56-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, according to the department. On Saturday, there were 16 more positive cases: a 73-year-old male, 47-year-old male, 53-year-old female, 32-year-old female, 36-year-old female 40-year-old female, 36-year-old female, 28-year-old female, 90-year-old male, 56-year-old female, 86-year-old male, 81-year-old male, 89-year -old female, 69-year-old female, 83-year-old female, and a 76-year-old female.
“I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones during this time of loss,” said Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton in a press release. “As COVID-19 continues to spread in Cape May County, we must all do what we can to keep each other safe.”
“My heart is with the family, friends, and neighbors who are grieving,” added Freeholder Jeff Pierson, liaison to the Health Department and an Upper Township resident. “This loss is deeply felt by our entire community. Now more than ever, each of us must do our part to prevent the spread of this virus, especially to our most vulnerable residents.”
As of Saturday, Middle Township has seven active cases of the coronavirus.
Upper Township, Dennis Township, Wildwood Crest and Avalon have four active cases each. Wildwood has three, North Wildwood and Ocean City have two each and Cape May, West Cape May and West Wildwood have one each.
The Department of Health reported that 15 people in the county have recovered from COVID-19 infections, including three each in Lower and Middle townships, two in Cape May and Avalon, and one each in North Wildwood, Wildwood Ocean City, Sea Isle City and Upper Township.
Cape May Point, Stone Harbor and Woodbine reported no active or recovered cases.
“Staying home and avoiding all non-essential contact with others continues to be the most important thing all of us can do to stay healthy and keep others healthy. If you must go out, stay at least six feet apart from others at all times,” the department cautioned.
In a press release issued Friday, April 3, the Cape May County Department of Health said before deciding whether to wear a mask, it recommends:
- Medical masks should be reserved for health care providers who are on the front lines working to protect us all. We have had shortages of those masks – and it’s critically important that our healthcare workers have the equipment they need to do their jobs.
- Non-medical mask use (e.g., homemade fabric masks) does not replace the need to follow guidance to stay home and limit our contact with others. It does not replace frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face, and staying away from people who are ill. These are the most important steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 illness.
“Wearing a fabric mask can help prevent the spread of infection to others when the mask is worn by someone who already is infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, even if they don’t have symptoms. The mask will block infectious droplets from spreading when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes and, to a lesser degree, speaks.
“It is not known how much protection homemade cloth masks provide to the person wearing the mask, and this may depend on the quality of the mask and how well it fits. For this reason, homemade and fabric masks should not be considered reliable protection but may provide some benefit.
“Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System hotline at 211 or 1-800-962-1253, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at www.who.int, the New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net, also like us on Facebook.”