Cape May Court House - Daily COVID-19 Update Cape May County Health Department is announcing 15 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Cape May County has a total of 419 confirmed cases, including 31 deaths. Most of the confirmed deaths are associated with long term care living facilities. 

Sadly, we are announcing the passing of a 80-year-old Male from Lower Township, “As we come together with expressions of sympathy and support to remember the passing of our loved ones– we must also remember to help each other, to protect your health and the health of others in our community,” said Cape May County Freeholder Jeff Pierson. “Let’s all do our part to get Cape May County through this challenging time.”

“Prevention is not only better than cure; it’s the smartest thing to do,” said Kevin Thomas, Cape May County Health Officer. COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person mainly with close contact (less than 6 feet), but may also be spread by a surface that has the virus and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or possibly one’s eyes. Spread is through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

To lessen overcrowding, all “essential retail” stores are only be permitted to allow up to 50 percent of their approved capacity inside. All customers and employees are now required to wear face coverings while inside the store, and businesses must supply employees with masks, coverings and gloves.

It is recommended that the general public wear cloth face coverings. A cloth face covering is a material that should cover the nose and mouth. It can be secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face. It should fit snug on each side of the face and not be loose fitting with gaps. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton or linen. A cloth face covering may be factory-made, sewn by hand, or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, bandanas, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

The Department of Health wants to remind everyone that the use of a face covering is an extra step in the prevention of getting or spreading COVID-19. Please continue to maintain social distancing, wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, and only leave home for essential tasks or work. 

Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and your underlying health conditions. Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System hotline at 211 or 1-800-962-1253, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at www.who.int, the New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit https://capemaycountynj.gov/ or Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net, also like us on Facebook.