COVID-19 Update: NJ Cases Grow

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COURT HOUSE – The most recent update from state officials March 15 puts the number of COVID-19 positive tests at 98, with 31 new cases recorded since the March 14 update. 
Of the 21 New Jersey counties, 13 have reported positive tests. The state has reported two deaths attributed to the virus.
The state Department of Health maintains a dashboard on the virus in New Jersey at https://bit.ly/3d6zbVu
North, South No Cases Yet             
The counties that have not reported any positive tests are either in the northwest (Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon) of the state or the far south (Cape May, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, and Cumberland).
The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus research Center lists 3,244 positive cases in the United States, with 62 deaths, 40 of which are recorded in Washington State.  
For Johns Hopkins site, visit https://bit.ly/2wZEh5C
Various sites use different criteria for counting cases. Public users of the sites should expect discrepancies in numbers, but the general trends on all of the sites are similar.
Experts warn that all numbers most likely represent undercounts, since testing is still not widespread and tends to only reflect those who have developed symptoms or are known to have been in contact with infected individuals.
Testing is beginning to ramp up, but the U.S. and individual states are at testing levels well below what is happening in other countries. 
Coordination of the numbers is also difficult, as federal and state labs are augmented by university laboratories and private testing labs.
The COVID Tracking Project attempts to get accurate numbers on testing directly from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It tracks positive and negative test results, pending tests and total people tested.  
Data updated on March 15, in the COVID Tracker, show New Jersey’s 98 positive cases and list 120 negative result cases, along with 34 pending cases. That adds to a total of 252 tests tracked, with is a very small number for a state as populous as New Jersey.  
For access to the COVID Tracking Project, visit https://bit.ly/2xDD3gt
As testing ramps up, identified positive cases may increase as a result.
New Jersey and Cape May County 
The rapid increase in positive cases in the state, with its epicenter in the state’s most populous county, Bergen, is leading to more drastic measures to combat the spread.
Schools throughout the state were close as of March 17. Over 400 school districts in the state have already closed. 
All Diocese of Camden schools previously announced a two week closing, effective March 16.
State workers may also be authorized to work from home.
Atlantic Cape Community College announced that it will move all instruction online, beginning March 30. The college has extended its spring break to March 29.
New guidance has been issued by the Cape May County Health Department, as of March 12. A copy is available on the Herald website.
Part of the new guidance advises that gatherings of 250 or more persons should not be held. Since that guidance was issued the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that all events with gatherings of 50 or more people not be held.
The county guidance also speaks to workplaces and businesses, people who are at risk for serious complications from the virus, childcare and schools and people who have symptoms.
Cape Regional Medical Center will not allow hospital visitors until further notice with limited exceptions for hospice, maternity, and pediatric patients.  
All community health groups and support groups that use the center’s space are canceled. The CRHS website provides a list of the cancellations.
The Herald is posting cancellations and postponements of scheduled events as they arrive at the news desk or newswatch@cmcherald.com.
The latest list of cancellations is available at https://bit.ly/33reRdk
In Cape May City, Congress Hall closed as of March 15. The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities has also canceled all upcoming March events.
Visitations at state long-term care facilities have been canceled. 
The state has also suspended visitations at state prisons and halfway houses for 30 days.
Atlantic City Electric has halted gas and electric shut-offs, as people struggle with the financial impact of the virus on the economy. The utility will work with customers on a person-by-person basis to make payment arrangements.
The Department of Motor Vehicles announced that it will extend expiration dates for drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations and inspection stickers due to expire in March, April or May. 
The MVC announced the closure of all its agencies until March 30. 
Information is available at https://bit.ly/2wWpsk9
The Cape May County Park and Zoo will remain open, but all indoor exhibits will be closed to the public. All education programs are canceled through March 31. 
The zoo will add extra cleaning and disinfecting protocols to protect visitors and staff.
The state judiciary announced an indefinite suspension of jury trials, along with a two-week suspension of municipal court sessions. As of now, grand jury proceedings will continue. Copies of press releases with details are available at https://bit.ly/3d5ETHq
Municipalities
Municipalities throughout the county are reacting to the COVID-19 threat by limiting access to municipal buildings and advising those with business to transact that does not require an urgent face-to-face contact to call or email for information, rather than going to the municipal department in person.
Some municipalities have posted cancellations on their websites, and others are likely to do so within the few days.
Middle Township, Avalon, Ocean City, Upper Township and Sea Isle City have all posted notices closing senior centers, community halls and, in the case of Ocean City, the public library.
Most towns are canceling recreation programs and closing indoor recreation facilities.
Municipalities are also instituting protocols for more frequent cleaning and disinfecting.
While governing body meetings are open to the public by law, some municipalities are urging residents to consider using town-provided videos of meetings.  
Middle Township, which does not videotape its meetings, has promised to have minutes posted as soon as possible after Township Committee meetings.
Municipal services will continue, but members of the public would be wise to check on the status of any event or office schedule before considering attending. 
The rapid nature of the evolving guidance means that changes are made continuously to schedules and access requirements.
What May be Coming
In some of the hard-hit counties to the north, drastic measures have been taken including curfews, quarantines, restrictions that allow restaurants to only provide take out, and forced closures of certain businesses.  
These steps have not been imposed on Cape May County, but preparation for a possible self-quarantine is urged.
State officials have even asked individuals to be prepared with two weeks of food, medicine, and water. They have also urged people not to panic purchase and reduce the amount of supplies for others.
A trip through some local supermarkets showed long areas of shelving without product in areas as varied as toilet paper, disinfectants, water bottles, and meat department chicken. 
Peggy Mathis, of Court House, was shocked to find the meat department devoid of chicken when shopping March 15.
Stores promise they are working to keep the shelves stocked. Walmart has said it is reducing some hours and hiring more staff to restock shelves.
For now, the best advice is to stay alert and as well informed as possible. Expect things to change rapidly, as officials and businesses try to keep up with daily numbers and health guidance.
Follow hygiene recommendations, distancing guidance and other recommendations from public health officials. 
The NJ Health Departments advice for the general public is at https://bit.ly/38Vo5zF
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.