Latest Barnegat-Manahawkin Coronavirus Updates

BARNEGAT, NJ — There's a lot of news to keep up with right now — locally, nationally and worldwide. Here's a recap of coronavirus updates in Barnegat and Manahawkin.

Cases

The Ocean County Health Department has reported 56 positive cases in Barnegat and 49 in Stafford as of Sunday morning. The OCHD will provide daily updates here.

OCHD has reported 2,021 cases in the county as of Sunday morning. State officials said Saturday that the virus has killed 56 people in Ocean County.

People with the coronavirus also might not show symptoms, according to the Center for Disease Control. With limited testing available nationwide, it is also difficult to gauge the true number of people with the virus.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Testing

Drive-thru testing appointments will continue this upcoming week at Ocean County College. Residents must schedule appointments in advance and meet the following requirements:

• You must be an Ocean County resident and have identification.
• You must have a physician’s prescription
• You must make an online appointment at www.ochd.org.
• You must be symptomatic.
• You should enter the Ocean County College campus from the Hooper Avenue entrance.

The site allows for 216 daily appointments.

Restrictions and Updates

Open or closed? Patch created a simple directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.

An employee at ShopRite's Manahawkin store tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the store announced Saturday. The employee is no longer at work, and any colleagues who may have had close contact with him or her will self-quarantine for two weeks. MORE.

A Barnegat man is leading an effort to get masks to medical staff, law enforcement and first responders. But the project requires a community effort. MORE.

Uplifting News

Two familiar (costumed) faces made Patch's national "good news" roundup. Two people dressed up as dinosaurs to visit ShopRite in Lacey earlier this week. They've given locals, and now people all over the United States, a much-needed laugh.

A Southern Regional History history teacher will lead a lesson Monday on HGTV about New Jersey and the Underground Railroad. He put it together through a makeshift studio in his unfinished basement. MORE.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy also has announced the launch of a new online portal to connect New Jersey residents with jobs in critical industries responding to COVID-19. Read more: Companies ARE Hiring: NJ Launches Online Job Portal
• Experts are also predicting when the coronavirus peak could hit New Jersey. Read more: 1 Million To 1.5 Million In NJ Could Get Coronavirus: Report
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• Murphy, speaking on two separate talk shows, gave an update on how much time New Jersey will need to fight the coronavirus – and how long residents will need to stay home. Read more: 6 Things NJ Really Needs In Coronavirus Crisis, And For How Long
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of NJ businesses – including gun sellers – to operate in the coronavirus outbreak. What's open and closed now? Read more: What's Open, Closed? More NJ Business To Operate Amid Coronavirus

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.