Person Advised To Quarantine Contacts Barnegat Officer

BARNEGAT, NJ — A Barnegat police officer began self-quarantining Saturday after interacting with someone who was supposed to do the same, authorities said. The person had traveled to Denmark, and the Center for Disease Control directed them to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Denmark has confirmed more than 800 cases of the novel coronavirus. Additionally, the CDC advised the public to avoid nonessential travel to many European nations.

The officer was placed off-duty and won't return to work for 14 days. The patrol car and common areas he occupied in the police department are being professionally sanitized.

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Chief Keith Germain made the following statement:

"It is critically important that members of the public act responsibly in adhering to self-quarantines and being forthcoming with public safety professionals if they have been outside of the country in the last 14 days or directed to self-quarantine. Failing to do so is dangerous to our officers, healthcare workers, and the public at large."

State officials have confirmed two deaths from the coronavirus in New Jersey as of Sunday morning. The second victim was a woman in her 50s. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey

The number of people with the coronavirus in the state had risen to 69, New Jersey officials said Saturday.

Barnegat, Stafford and Southern Regional schools have moved to remote learning in the meantime.

Related article: 'Social Distancing Means Social Distancing:' Ocean Health Officer

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