Latest Berkeley Coronavirus Updates

BERKELEY, 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 Berkeley.

Cases

The Ocean County Health Department has reported 289 positive cases in Berkeley as of Thursday morning. The OCHD will provide daily updates here.

The department has reported 3,970 cases in Ocean County as of Thursday morning. State officials said Wednesday that the virus has killed 166 people in Ocean County.

Schools

Schools across the state remain closed indefinitely. Governor Phil Murphy said he would revisit the issue no earlier than Friday. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy

Restrictions and Updates

• 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.
• Check out what's virtually available at the Ocean County Library.
• Berkeley officials banned short-term rentals through May 20. The proclamation — signed by Mayor Carmen Amato and Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele — also prohibits door-to-door solicitation and canvassing until further notice and cancels all Board of Adjustment and Planning Board meetings through May 31.
• Berkeley Township partnered with Fulfill to provide "crisis" food kits to families in need during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The food kits provide a family of four with basic groceries. MORE.

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

Something to Smile About

It remains concerning that many hospitals face shortages of face masks and other personal protective equipment. But a Central Regional paraprofessional stepped up to help.

Terrance Hardy owns a bowtie business called LookForMeBowties. He recently began creating clothe face masks, which he has donated to several hospitals. MORE.

Here's what else you should know:

• 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
• 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
• New Jersey residents are expected to start receiving stimulus payments soon. Here's what you need to do beforehand. Read more: Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Payments: What You Need To Do In NJ
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of New Jersey 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
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day
• Here are four urgent tasks New Jersey wants you to do during the coronavirus outbreak, including wearing a mask. And here's why. Read more: Wear A Mask! 4 Things NJ Wants You To Do In Coronavirus Outbreak

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