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Cape May County officials are warning residents against “COVID Fatigue” and remind people of the necessary precautions in the colder winter months.

There has been a rise in cases both nationally and in New Jersey over the past month. Slowing the spread will keep fellow county residents and the economy healthy, the county said in a news release Tuesday.

Key steps for people to take include wearing a face covering, keeping six feet of social distance, being outdoors for group settings as much as possible, proper sanitation of high touch surfaces, and frequent hand washing.

People typically move indoors in the coming months with colder weather. The spread of the virus, however, is significantly worse indoors versus outdoors.

“We are asking people to stay vigilant and follow the necessary steps to slow the spread,” Freeholder Jeff Pierson, liaison to the Cape May County Health Department, said in the release. “We have come a long way from earlier this year, and we want to people to stay as safe as possible.”

The Cape May County Health Department has been heavily engaged with the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The next step to be rolled out soon includes the previously announced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC)-Enhancing Detection Grant, which will enhance testing capacity in the county over the next 26 weeks, including a focus for first responders, symptomatic individuals, close contacts of positive cases, health care workers, and asymptomatic referrals.

“We appreciate the hard work that has been done by Cape May County residents this year,” Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton said. “We understand COVID fatigue is a real thing, but the only way to keep our families safe and our businesses is open is to follow the safety protocols until we can get a vaccine.”