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 204 coronavirus cases in Barnegat and 185 in Stafford as of Sunday afternoon. Fifteen people in Stafford and nine in Barnegat have died from the virus, according to the OCHD.

The department has reported 6,837 cases and 430 deaths in Ocean County as of Sunday afternoon.

The State has reported the following in Barnegat and Stafford longterm care facilities as of Sunday:

• Southern Ocean Center, Manahawkin: 53 cases, nine deaths
• Barnegat Rehabilitation & Nursing Center: 19 cases, two deaths
• Manahawkin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: five cases, no deaths
• Atria Senior Living, Manahawkin: one case, one death

Testing

Ocean County drive-thru testing continues this week at Ocean County College in Toms River from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Enter the site from the Hooper Avenue entrance.

Patients must meet the following requirements to get tested:

• You must be an Ocean County resident and have identification.
• You must have a healthcare practitioner script.
• You must make an online appointment at www.ochd.org.
• You must be symptomatic.

Rite Aid on Mule Road in Toms River now offers coronavirus testing. Patients will have to swab their nostrils themselves. MORE.

AtlantiCare Physician Group Primary Care and Urgent Care also now offers testing in Little Egg Harbor. MORE.

Schools

Governor Phil Murphy, speaking during a Friday press conference, said he'll soon be ready to announce a decision on reopening schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. Murphy said on Saturday that he plans to hold a news conference at 12 noon on Monday, and will likely address the issue. Patch will cover it live. MORE.

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

Restrictions and Updates

• Barnegat opened its Municipal Dock and township parks for passive recreation. The Township closed all parks and playgrounds, the skate park and the Municipal Dock last month because of the new coronavirus. MORE.
• Ocean County began gradually reopening its parks and public lands Saturday. MORE.
• We all know someone who's making a difference in this difficult time. Let's give them some of the recognition they deserve. Recognize a Barnegat-Manahawkin hero.
• Ocean Township canceled Founders Day because of the coronavirus. Festivities were scheduled for May 23. MORE.
• Here's how the OCHD has tried helping longterm-care facilities manage the coronavirus. MORE.
• Since the coronavirus outbreak began in Ocean and Monmouth counties, Fulfill has seen a 40 percent increase in the demand for food and has served more than 364,000 extra meals in the past month through its Crisis Relief Boxes program and its Restaurant Partnership Program. Finding a food pantry in your area is just a text away.
• Murphy offered hope April 27 for some semblance of normality at the Jersey Shore this summer, beginning on Memorial Day. But he said that the "new normal" at the beach won't likely look anything like it did last summer. MORE.
• The coronavirus could affect every corner of life on the Jersey Shore this summer. Here's what the Jersey Shore has done so far and what could happen. MORE.
• County officials urged the public not to dispose of used gloves on the ground. Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari also asked food stores, convenience stores and other retail establishments to place additional trash cans in their parking lots. MORE.
• Open or closed? Patch created a simple directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.

Watch This

BARNEGAT, NJ — The new coronavirus has forced people near and far to adapt to a life without social interaction. For some people, obeying statewide stay-at-home orders has been a piece a cake. For others, it has felt like a cruel and unusual punishment. No one knows that better than Chrissy Chapais.

In what has seemed like an eternity, Chapais has not seen her husband, AJ, since Feb. 21. He is in Sudbury, Canada, and she is in Barnegat. More than 750 miles separate the two — and it's not by choice. MORE.

Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy offered a broad reopening plan on Monday, April 27, providing a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order on Saturday, March 21, closing all non-essential business. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• Murphy, speaking during a Thursday, April 16 press conference, said schools will remain closed through May 15. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Schools Shut Through May 15 In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy said on Wednesday, April 29 that he's reopening state and county parks and golf courses. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Reopen State, County Parks, Golf In NJ Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

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.