Ocean County's Case Rate In COVID 'Red Zone:' See Town Updates

Toms River NJ

12 December, 2020

5:10 PM

Description

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a grim toll on Ocean County, impacting local businesses and schools in the region, according to updated state data. The state Department of Health's most recent "COVID-19 Activity Level Report," which is issued weekly, says Ocean County is in the "red zone" for coronavirus cases. Ocean County reported 25,344 cases on Friday, an increase of more than 1,400 over the previous week. The "red zone" means the daily new COVID-19 virus case rate, per 100,000 people, rose to "very high" in all 21 counties. That means they exceed 25 cases per 1,000 people. The latest reports say the overall coronavirus activity level also rose from "moderate," or "yellow," to "high," or "orange," in recent weeks in all 21 New Jersey counties. With the rise to a "high" level, state officials said, school districts in those counties may have to take more serious steps — such as quarantining or even shutting down schools — if a child shows the symptoms of COVID-19. "When it is high risk, there are some recommendations that we make together with local school boards," said Edward Lifshitz, medical director for the state Department of Health. Indeed, a number of school districts have shifted to remote instruction as the numbers have risen.The overall coronavirus risk rose to "high" in each of the counties because: The new daily case rate in each of the counties rose to 10 or more per 100,000 people.The percent of COVID-19-like illnesses rose above 5.52 in each of the counties.The percent of positive cases rose above 10.01. Ocean County officials provided the following breakdown of cases by town: Barnegat Light, 19Barnegat, 637Bay Head, 26 Beach Haven, 25Beachwood, 358Berkeley Township, 1,557Brick Township, 3,019Eagleswood Township, 47Harvey Cedars, 3Island Heights, 38Jackson Township, 2,358Lacey Township, 818Lakehurst, 99Lakewood, 7,255Lavallette, 70Little Egg Harbor, 486Long Beach Township, 76Manchester Township, 1,681Mantoloking, 8Ocean Gate, 59Ocean Township, 182Pine Beach, 55Plumsted Township, 196Point Pleasant Beach, 144Point Pleasant, 772Seaside Heights, 97Seaside Park, 36Ship Bottom, 32South Toms River, 140Stafford Township, 832Surf City, 19Toms River, 4,110Tuckerton, 51 Have a friend who loves staying on top of what's happening in Toms River? Invite them via email!