Ocean County confirms 10 new positive cases of coronavirus
The amount of positive coronavirus cases across New Jersey has risen to 427 overall which 32 now in Monmouth County and 16 in Ocean County.
The Ocean County Health Department is reporting that 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Ocean County.
Little Egg Harbor (1), Point Pleasant Borough (1), Surf City (1) and Lakewood (4) all had their first cases of the virus announced on Wednesday.
Here is an updated list on the current total number of cases in Ocean County:
Berkeley: 2 Cases
Jackson: 2 Cases
Lakewood: 4 Cases
Little Egg Harbor: 1 Case
Manchester: 3 Cases
Point Pleasant Borough: 1 Case (The Ocean County Health Department said that earlier reports erroneously identified this case from Point Pleasant Beach)
Toms River: 2 Cases
Surf City: 1 Case
Total Cases in Ocean County: 16 Cases as of March 18, 2020.
The first case of the coronavirus to reach Ocean County was confirmed in Manchester Township when a 72-year old man contracted the disease.
Manchester Township officials are putting restrictions in place at town hall and government buildings after a 72-year old resident tested positive for the coronavirus last week.
They're also no longer allowing public access to town hall.
The potential exposure of the coronavirus to a Manchester Police Officer and EMT's who responded to a first aid call last week of a man who later tested positive for the disease has led to them being asked to self-quarantine as a precaution.
Mayor Palmer says police have changed some protocols for their own safety.
"For example, the non-emergent reports are now going to be taken by phone," Palmer said. "There will be a police officer designated from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm to take calls and reports over the phone."
COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes.
These droplets may land on objects and surfaces.
Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Dan Regenye said that if you experience symptoms such as a fever, dry cough or have difficulty breathing, start by remaining calm, then call your primary care physician, insurance company and even the Ocean County Health Department.
"If they do experience any of these symptoms the major thing is not to panic but to stay informed and contact their health care provider if they have any concerns," Regenye said. "If they're working with us, and we're either self-monitoring or we're working with them to be tested...if their symptoms get worse, we would ask them not to present themselves at the hospital or their physicians office. Work with us and we'll get you to the proper level of care with the proper notice to those establishments so you can get the proper level of treatment that's needed."