By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
The Atlantic County Division of Public Health on Monday confirmed five additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 30 cases countywide. No further information, other than state counts, was provided.
Other counties are providing the public with counts according to town, but Atlantic County is only providing number totals, Atlantic County Public Information Officer Linda Gilmore said in response to a request for more information.
“I have also received such requests. Our policy has been, and continues to be, not to identify towns,” Gilmore said. “Contact tracing is done for all confirmed positives, and identified contacts are interviewed by public health officials.”
On Sunday, Cape May County reported its single-biggest day for positive COVID-19 cases. According to a press release, Cape May County had five new cases, bringing the total in the county to 15. The new cases include a 12-year-old female, a 21-year-old male, a 56-year-old female, a 63-year-old male, and a 78-year-old male.
Cape May County also provided a list of towns with active cases.
Also on Sunday, the Ocean County Health Department reported 835 cases, with the highest numbers reported in Lakewood (371), Toms River (106) and Brick (81).
It also published a list of cases by town, along with a statement that “numbers identify 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.”
Gilmore reported that as of Sunday, New Jersey had a total of 13,386 positives and 161 deaths throughout the state, with a nearly 38 percent positive rate for those tested who have symptoms of the disease.
“Federal and state officials still contend that most cases will be mild, and patients will be able to recover at home. Staying at home, social distancing and safe respiratory and hygiene practices are the recommended steps to help prevent the spread of the illness,” Gilmore said.
