The Cape May County Health Department on Wednesday reported eight new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 187 countywide. However, no new deaths were reported.
All active cases are either in isolation at their residence or being treated at the hospital.
“COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Cape May County. Now is not the time to become complacent,” Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton said in a press release. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families, and our community.”
Thornton cautioned, “If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. We need all residents to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable populations, our health care workers and frontline responders.”
Following is a breakdown of the confirmed coronavirus cases for each municipality in Cape May County:
| MUNICIPALITY |
ACTIVE CASES |
REPORTED TODAY |
OFF QUARANTINE |
DEATHS |
|
|
|
|
|
| AVALON |
4 |
|
2 |
|
| CAPE MAY CITY |
1 |
|
2 |
|
| CAPE MAY POINT |
0 |
|
|
|
| DENNIS TOWNSHIP |
8 |
1 |
|
1 |
| LOWER TOWNSHIP |
58 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
| MIDDLE TOWNSHIP |
37 |
2 |
3 |
|
| NORTH WILDWOOD |
3 |
|
1 |
|
| OCEAN CITY |
12 |
|
2 |
|
| SEA ISLE CITY |
1 |
|
1 |
|
| STONE HARBOR |
0 |
|
|
|
| UPPER TOWNSHIP |
12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| WEST CAPE MAY |
1 |
|
|
|
| WEST WILDWOOD |
1 |
|
|
|
| WILDWOOD |
12 |
2 |
1 |
|
| WILDWOOD CREST |
8 |
|
|
|
| WOODBINE |
2 |
|
|
|
| TOTAL ACTIVE |
160 |
|
|
|
| TOTAL RECOVERED |
|
|
17 |
|
| TOTAL DECEASED |
|
|
|
10 |
| TOTAL CASES IN CAPE MAY COUNTY |
187 |
|
|
|
Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows:
| POSITIVE CASES BY AGE GROUP |
|
| AGE GROUP |
NUMBER |
|
|
|
|
| 0-17 |
4 |
|
|
FEMALES |
104 |
| 18 – 40 |
45 |
|
|
MALES |
83 |
| 41 – 65 |
77 |
|
|
|
|
| OVER 65 |
61 |
|
|
|
|
| TOTAL |
187 |
|
|
|
|
Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and all of the deaths have occurred in patients 72 or older.
Slowing the spread of COVID-19 through rigorous social distancing is now a major priority for all Americans. But avoiding the illness is especially important for people who are most susceptible to the severe form of COVID-19. If you’re in one of the vulnerable groups below, see below for advice.
Groups vulnerable to COVID-19:
- People 60 and older
- People with weakened immune systems due to chronic illness or medications, including people with autoimmune disease or transplants who are taking immunosuppressive drugs, people with AIDS
- People with serious long-term health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and lung disease such as emphysema and moderate asthma
- There is currently no evidence that pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 or developing severe illness from it, but extra caution is advised because pregnant women are more susceptible to many viral infections
If you’re in a group at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, taking action to reduce your risk of exposure is especially important, and you should have a plan in place in the event you do become ill.
Take precautions:
- Maintain social distancing in all settings, including maintaining a 6-foot distance from other people.
- Wash your hands with soap frequently throughout the day at home, immediately upon return home from being out, and after any contact with others.
- Regularly disinfect any shared surfaces. Soap and water are adequate if disinfectant is not available.
Watch for warning signs of severe COVID-19 infection:
- If you develop severe symptoms associated with COVID-19, seek emergency medical attention right away by calling 911. Those symptoms can include:
- Severe difficulty with breathing
- Persistent chest pain
- Fever
If you do call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.
Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at
www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at
www.who.int and the New Jersey Department of Health at
www.nj.gov/health.
For additional information, visit the Cape May County Department of Health at
www.cmchealth.net.
