Latest Lacey Coronavirus Updates

LACEY, 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 Lacey.

Cases

The Ocean County Health Department has reported 180 cases and seven deaths in Lacey.

The OCHD has reported 7,192 cases and 502 deaths in Ocean County as of Friday morning. Click here for daily updates.

Testing

Ocean County drive-thru testing takes place at Ocean County College in Toms River from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Enter the site from the Hooper Avenue entrance.

It was previously offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, but demand has decreased, officials said.

"We have noticed the number of appointments being made for the site have been decreasing so we need to adjust the site schedule," said Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye. "The college drive-thru testing site has gone very smoothly and we review the operations there weekly."

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.

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

Schools

New Jersey schools will stay closed for the rest of the academic year, Governor Phil Murphy announced Monday. Remote learning will continue through June. MORE.

Although in-person instruction has been canceled, the Lacey Township School District is brainstorming ways to address year-end events. Click here for a note from Superintendent Dr. Vanessa P. Clark.

Restrictions and Updates

• Murphy said on Thursday that he'd be "shocked" if beaches weren't open by Memorial Day, and his administration is ready to provide guidance to towns that are ready to go. MORE.
• Several towns around the Jersey Shore have made plans to reopen beaches. Patch compiled some recent updates.
• We all know someone who's making a difference in this difficult time. Let's give them some of the recognition they deserve. Nominate a Lacey hero.
• Ocean County began gradually reopening its parks and public lands last week. MORE.
• An employee at ShopRite in Lacey tested positive for the virus, the store announced April 26. 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.
• New Jersey marinas will be open during the coronavirus crisis, Gov. Phil Murphy said. 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.

Something to Smile About

A Manahawkin woman and Southern Ocean Medical Center had reason to celebrate Monday. Natalie Alexander, the hospital's 100th coronavirus patient, was discharged. 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 announced on Monday, May 4 that schools will close for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: New Jersey Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year: Gov. Murphy
• 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 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

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