Berkeley Coronavirus Updates: School Plans, Voting, Food Drive

BERKELEY, NJ — Here are the latest updates on how the coronavirus has impacted Berkeley.

Cases

The Ocean County Health Department has reported 971 coronavirus cases and 103 deaths in Berkeley as of Friday morning. That's an increase of 39 cases and one fewer death since Berkeley Patch's last update Oct. 16.

The OCHD reported 68 new cases Thursday in Ocean County, bringing the area to 17,238 cases and 1,008 deaths since the pandemic began.

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Recent Updates

• The Berkeley Township and Central Regional School Districts could finalize plans for their next steps in reopening during the coming weeks. But both districts face different challenges and, because of that, potentially different timelines. MORE.
• The coronavirus affected elections throughout the nation because of logistical adjustments associated with the pandemic. Here's how Berkeley has voted on key issues and races, such as the presidency, Congress and recreational marijuana legalization. MORE.
• The Berkeley Shores Homeowners' Civic Association will host its annual food and toy drive. People can drop off donations from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the H&M Potter School on Veeder Lane. Local food pantries are struggling to keep up with demand, the BSHCA says. MORE.

Here's what else you should know:

• Gov. Phil Murphy says New Jersey is "close" to ordering new restrictions now that coronavirus numbers continue to be on the rise in the Garden State. Murphy, speaking during his Thursday news conference, did not say what steps New Jersey may take, but he noted the Garden State may have to "balance all the various challenges and interests that we have right now." MORE.
• A few new online options designed to make getting licenses from the MVC easier have launched in the Garden State, a move that is aimed at reducing congestion at the facilities, according to officials. MORE.

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