Cape May County Confirms Two More COVID-19 Cases

A 71-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man have tested positive for coronavirus in Cape May County, which brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county to five so far, according to a press release Monday. The two new cases indicate that COVID-19 is circulating throughout Cape May County and is a reminder that social distancing and quarantine controls are the best measure in controlling this disease, county officials said. No other details were disclosed in the press release about the two latest cases, including where the people live and whether they were hospitalized. Over the weekend, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated that due to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing of COVID-19 should only be done on the following groups:

• Those who are hospitalized
• Symptomatic healthcare workers
• Seniors in long-term care facilities or with pre-existing health conditions

The use of PPE for testing noncritical patients has created a serious shortage of protective gear such as surgical masks, gowns and gloves for doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, the county said. As a result, healthcare workers across the country have taken to social media to plead for donations of protective gear. Cape May County is appealing for donations of gloves, masks and other PPE for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak. A shortage of PPE will cause the healthcare workforce to reach a breaking point very soon, which could lead to “uncomfortable decisions” that might include resorting to makeshift protection, the county press release said. As a result, it is important for all residents to stay at home and if sick, quarantine from other household members. If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, follow the Centers for Disease Control steps below to help protect other people in your home and community:

• Stay home. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency.
• Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.
• Separate yourself from other people in your home; this is known as home isolation.
• Stay away from others. As much as possible, you should stay in a specific “sick room” and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Limit contact with pets and animals. You should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people.
• Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves.

Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System hotline at 1-800-222-1222, 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 Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net.