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COURT HOUSE – June 17: Cape May County announced five new community-based COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of cases to 690.
The number of active cases in the county climbed to 100, and 530 individuals have recovered and have moved off quarantine. The death toll inflicted by the coronavirus still stands at 60.
The new cases included three in Lower Township and one each in Wildwood and Woodbine. The two population centers of Lower and Middle townships account for more than 50% of the total cases to-date in the county. In the two communities, over two-thirds of the cases have recovered and are no long quarantined.
Today, Gov. Phil Murphy announced 47 new COVID-19 fatalities and 330 additional cases. State totals he reported are 167,703 cases and 12,769 fatalities.
Murphy also announced that the state was releasing guidance for colleges and universities related to summer school and the fall semester. He said the guidance is organized around 10 key areas of campus life. Institutions wishing to reopen must submit restart plans at least 14 days in advance of students and faculty arriving on campus.
The governor again cited three metrics as the key ones he and others follow when making decisions on relaxing restrictions. These are the spot positivity number, which he reported at 3.5%; the rate of reproduction of the virus, now at .70; and the rate of new hospitalizations, which continues to decline.
