More Than 15 LBI Lifeguards Test Positive For Coronavirus

HARVEY CEDARS, NJ — Several lifeguards on Long Beach Island have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said. Fifteen Surf City lifeguards and "several" in Harvey Cedars have tested positive for the virus as of Friday.

Five Surf City lifeguards are awaiting results, while four tested negative, Borough Administrator Christine Hannemann told Patch at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Those who test positive must self-isolate for 10 days as essential employees and show no symptoms for at least three days before returning to work, as per Long Beach Island Health Department guidelines.

"The Borough has hired 20 additional guards this season to ensure the safety of our beach patrons," Hannemann said. "Our beaches remain open and guarded."

Health officials believe the outbreak stems from "common social gatherings" outside of work on July 12 and 14, Long Beach Island Health Department Director Daniel J. Krupinski told WHYY.

Hannemann did not have information on contact tracing or how they may have caught the virus. Patch is awaiting more information from the Long Beach Island Health Department.

Several Harvey Cedars lifeguards tested positive for the coronavirus, the borough announced Thursday. They have quarantined and won't return to work until the LBI Health Department clears them.

Harvey Cedars beaches remain fully staffed.

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The Ocean County Health Department has reported the following coronavirus figures on LBI as of Thursday:

• Barnegat Light: five cases, fewer than five deaths
• Beach Haven: 15 cases, no deaths
• Harvey Cedars: one case, no deaths
• Long Beach Township: 30 cases, fewer than five deaths
• Ship Bottom: nine cases, fewer than five deaths
• Surf City: nine cases, fewer than five deaths

To protect patient privacy, the OCHD doesn't publish precise death tolls for any municipality with between one and four fatalities. The data identifies each patient's self-reported municipality or mailing address at the time of testing.

This is a developing story. Patch will update.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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