One was resident of Victoria Manor in North Cape May, where there is a breakout of COVID-19
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
Health departments in Atlantic and Cape May counties reported COVID-19 claimed four more lives, including one at the Victoria Manor in North Cape May that has experienced a breakout of the coronavirus.
On Tuesday, April 7, the Atlantic County Division of Public Health reported three new COVID-19 victims, two Egg Harbor Township men in their 60s and at Atlantic City man in his 80s. At least two of the victims had underlying health conditions, the division said in a release issued Tuesday afternoon by county Public Information Officer Linda Gilmore.
The first COVID-19-related death was April 2 – an EHT man in his 50s, also with underlying health conditions, the release said.
“We are saddened by the deaths of these Atlantic County residents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said in the release. “We offer our deepest condolences to their families who, like most of us, would have never imagined what has unfolded across our state, our country and the world. These losses are yet another sobering reminder of why it is so important for each of us to continue to heed the guidance of our health and safety officials, especially in staying home and at a safe distance from others.”
On Tuesday, Atlantic County reported 16 new positive cases including 10 men and 22 to 63 years old and six women 26 to 63.
On Wednesday morning, April 8, Gilmore said 17 more residents tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 173, but no new deaths were reported. The new cases include seven men 31 to 86 and 10 women 29 to 82 years old. She noted that 26 infected persons have recovered.
In Cape May County Tuesday afternoon, Victoria Manor in North Cape May confirmed a resident of the long-term care facility had died from the illness.
The county Health Department said it was an 86-year-old man with “significant underlying health conditions who was recently hospitalized.”
There are 15 residents and 12 staff members who have tested positive at Victoria Manor, a skilled nursing facility with 120 beds at 3809 Bayshore Road, the department said. Genesis HealthCare operates Victoria Manor and other nursing homes and senior living facilities in south Jersey and Delaware.
“We are deeply saddened today to learn that a fellow Cape May County resident died from COVID-19,” Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton said in the department’s release. “Our deepest condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones during their time of mourning. The county remains vigilant in our efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and will continue to do all we can to protect our most vulnerable populations.”
“A
death in Cape May County shows the gravity of the situation,” Freeholder Jeff
Pierson added. “It’s critically important for us all to take actions that will
help protect our most vulnerable citizens. By working together, we can slow the
spread of COVID-19 and help ensure the health care system will be able to care
for those who need it most.”
Over the weekend, the county reported its first death, a 72-year-old woman in
Upper Township.
More positive cases in Cape May County
The Cape May County Department of Health released new numbers Tuesday afternoon showing there are 100 cases of COVID-19. Of them 83 are active, two have involved the deaths noted above, and there are 15 who are now off quarantine.
Lower Township leads with 32 cases, followed by 14 in Middle Township. Two in Lower and three in Middle are off quarantine.
Wildwood has seven active cases, Upper Township has six, and Ocean City, Wildwood Crest and Dennis Township have five each. Avalon had four, North Wildwood has two and there is one active case in Cape May City, West Cape May and West Wildwood.
Individuals off quarantine include two each in Cape May City, Ocean City, Lower Township and Avalon, and one each in North Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Upper Township and Wildwood.
There are no active cases reported in Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, Cape May Point and Woodbine.