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COURT HOUSE – June 1: Cape May County today announced 10 new COVID-19 cases and one additional fatality. The county has experienced a total of 637 cases since the first confirmed positive test March 18.
The unfortunate loss of another county resident, a 90-year-old woman, occurred at a Lower Township long-term care facility. Fatalities at county long-term care facilities now account for 80% of the reported COVID-19 associated deaths.
Of the 10 new cases, seven were reported as community-based, and three were connected to long-term care facilities. The three long-term care cases were all in Middle Township facilities. The seven community-based cases were found in five municipalities, two each in North Wildwood and Ocean City, and one each in Cape May, Dennis Township, and Middle Township. One individual in Sea Isle City was removed from quarantine.
Today, the state reported 27 new fatalities and 509 additional cases. State totals now stand at 160,918 cases since March 4 and 11,721 New Jersey residents lost to the coronavirus.
Hospitalizations continued to decline, with 2,344 total patients spread over the state’s 17 acute care hospitals, and 646 of those individuals require intensive or critical care, with 469 on ventilators.
The numbers have improved enough for Gov. Phil Murphy to announce the first steps in Stage 2 of his Road to Recovery plan. Today’s announcements include permitted levels of outdoor dining and expanded nonessential retail beginning June 15.
Murphy reiterated that “data determines dates,” cautioning that easing restrictions could stop if the health metrics do not continue to support those actions.
