Latest Ocean City Coronavirus Updates

Josh Bakan
·5 min read

OCEAN CITY, NJ — There's a lot of news to keep up with right now — locally, nationally and worldwide. Here's a recap of coronavirus updates in Ocean City and Cape May County.

Cases

The Cape May County Health Department has reported 15 active case in Ocean City as of Thursday morning, along with four people cleared off quarantine. No coronavirus deaths have been reported in Ocean City as of Thursday morning.

The County has reported 145 active cases, 62 people cleared off quarantine and 17 deaths.

Here is the breakdown by municipality as of Thursday morning:

  • Two employees at Wawa on 34th Street tested positive for the coronavirus, the company told Patch Tuesday. They last worked there April 12. MORE.

  • State officials have reported coronavirus cases at six longterm care facilities in Cape May County as of Wednesday — none in Ocean City. Officials reported 52 cases and 11 deaths at Victoria Manor, a North Cape May nursing home. No deaths have been reported at any other Cape May County longterm care facilities.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Testing

Cape May County drive-thru testing continues the next two Wednesdays. Testing is available for CompleteCare patients and county residents who are sick with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and meet a certain criteria.

Symptomatic first responders who are residents of the county will also be given priority testing. In order to receive testing, individuals can go to CompleteCareNJ.org/COVID19 or call 609-465-0258 and request to be screened. Web registration is best, according to officials.

If you are not a CompleteCare patient, obtain a script from your doctor. Once you have the script do the following:

  1. Go to completecarenj.org.

  2. Read the statement and click "I understand."

  3. Click request an appointment on right of screen.

  4. Complete requested information.

  5. Await call from CompleteCare staff to review symptoms.

  6. CompleteCare will forward script to Health Department.

  7. Health Department staff will call and schedule the appointment.

“Most individuals have mild symptoms and are able to recover at home," said Health Officer Kevin Thomas. "If you can maintain your symptoms at home, we urge you to do so. Testing requires personal protective equipment, which we want to preserve for our first responders."

The test will be free of charge and no co-pay will be required for the screening. Translation services are available for those in need.

Schools

New Jersey schools will be closed through at least May 15, Governor Phil Murphy announced Thursday. MORE.

The Ocean City School District has a resource guide for remote learning and support.

Ocean City High School's ASL club created a tribute to medical workers, first responders and others working during the pandemic. MORE.

Restrictions and Updates

  • Ocean City and Cape May County have focused on a plan for the future. But much of that depends on efforts to stop the virus, said Mayor Jay Gillian. MORE.

  • The coronavirus could affect every corner of life on the Jersey Shore this summer. Here's what the Jersey Shore has done so far and what could happen. MORE.

  • Open or closed? Patch created a a simple Open-or-Closed Directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.

  • Cape May County created a Business Recovery Task Force. MORE.

  • The Cape May County Board of Freeholders voted April 7 to prohibit hotels, motels and other short-term rental businesses from lodging transient guests or seasonal tenants. MORE.

  • Ocean City's May 12 election will be conducted by mail. Here's how to vote.

  • Ocean City closed its beaches and boardwalk March 25 until further notice. MORE.

  • Cape May County toll bridges went cashless as a coronavirus precaution. This includes several bridges linked to Ocean City. MORE.

Something to Smile About

Martin Z. Mollusk has predicted an early summer in Ocean City for decades, but this year he faces an unprecedented challenge. Normally crowds gather to check if the hermit crab sees his shadow. This year, Martin will perform his duty from home. MORE.

(Courtesy of Ocean City PIO Doug Bergen)
(Courtesy of Ocean City PIO Doug Bergen)

Here's what else you should know:

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This article originally appeared on the Ocean City Patch