Ocean County Positive Covid-19 Cases Climb To 3,105

The amount of positive Covid-19 coronavirus cases in Ocean County has risen to 3,105 in the latest tally Thursday afternoon by the Ocean County Health Department which includes 259 new cases.

Lakewood Township has 987 of the 3,105 cases in Ocean County.

Toms River has the second most with 508, Brick has 382 cases.

Here is the updated positive case count in Ocean County:

*The Ocean County Health Department said that the data above identifies the municipality or mailing address which was self-reported by the resident at the time of testing. It may not necessarily represent the municipality of residence.

Here are some news and notes regarding the Coronavirus impacts in Ocean County:

• The first case of the coronavirus to reach Ocean County was confirmed in Manchester Township when a 72-year old man contracted the disease.

• The Ocean County Health Department/Office of Emergency Management has extended the amount of tests at a drive-thru testing center for Ocean County residents at Ocean County College.

• Lakewood Police have broken up multiple weddings, engagement parties, funerals and other large social gatherings across different neighborhoods in the township over the last few weeks, several criminal complaints were issued for violation of Governor Murphy's 'Do Not Gather' Directive.

• Ocean County Emergency Management and Ocean County Health Department officials are continuing to meet daily to not only address the ongoing pandemic but be prepared for any future events.

• As the amount of positive coronavirus cases continue to rise in New Jersey, Police Chiefs in Ocean County are coming up with alternate response methods to keep officers safe as well as residents.

• Jersey Shore Congressman Chris Smith (R - 4th District) announced that there is more than $4.5 million in emergency funding being awarded to local governments in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District via the CARES Act which will help areas stabilize and recover from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

• Ocean County State Senator Jim Holzapfel (R), Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (R) and Assemblyman John Catalano (R) are working with the NJ State Police Fraternal Association to collect desperately needed masks and other personal protective equipment to protect first responders and health care workers during the coronavirus crisis.

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."