Cases rise in Lower Township, Middle Township, Ocean City
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
There were three more deaths in Cape May County from COVID-19 as positive tests rose in Lower Township, Middle Township and Ocean City, the Cape May County Department of Health reported late Saturday afternoon, April 11.
Across the state, there are now more than 58,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 2,100 deaths.
There are now a total of 123 active unique coronavirus cases in the county, with Lower Township leading with 50 of those cases, followed by Middle Township with 25 and Ocean City with 10.
The Department of Health reported two of the deaths were residents of Victoria Manor in North Cape May, where there has been an outbreak of the virus infecting residents and staff alike. One was a 75-year-old female and the other an 80-year-old male. That brings to five the number of deaths of residents at Victoria Manor.
The other death was a 73-year-old male from Dennis Township. The first reported death was an Upper Township woman. There are now seven fatalities from COVID-19 in the county.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cape May County Health Officer Kevin Thomas said Saturday.
“Social distancing is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Individuals should keep 6 feet of space between themselves and other people outside your home. This will only help to protect you and your loved ones from potentially being exposed the virus.”
Breakdown of cases
In addition to the towns noted, Wildwood has eight reported cases of COVID-19 and Upper Township and Wildwood Crest have seven each.
Avalon and Dennis Township have four, there are two each in North Wildwood and West Cape May and one each in Cape May City, Sea Isle City, West Wildwood and Woodbine.
Of the total of 145 cases, 15 affected individuals are now off quarantine. That includes three in Middle Township, two each in Cape May City, Avalon, Lower Township and Ocean City; and one each in Sea Isle City, North Wildwood, Upper Township and Woodbine.
Statewide numbers jump
Across New Jersey, as of Saturday afternoon, the state reported there are now 58,151 positive cases of COVID-19 and 2,183 deaths.
Cape May County has the second lowest total number of cases in New Jersey. Salem County has the fewest cases with 56 and three deaths. There are 154 positive cases in Cumberland County and three deaths, and 230 positive cases in Atlantic County and seven deaths.
The majority of the cases and the deaths are in northeast Jersey, in the counties close to New York City.
Bergen County leads with 9,362 positive tests and 435 deaths, according to the state. Essex County is next with 7,007 cases and 412 deaths and Hudson County has 6,851 cases and 183 deaths. In Union County, there are 5,865 cases and 177 deaths and in Middlesex County there are 5,406 cases and 177 deaths.
Practice safety
According to the Cape May County Department of Health, residents should also continue to take simple steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
– Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rubbing for at least 20 seconds, or using alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
– Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing;
– Stay home if you are sick;
– Regularly clean high-touch surfaces
– When you must go out for essential items practice social distancing, minimize your time out and wash your hands as soon as possible afterward
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.