Latest Ocean City Coronavirus Updates

OCEAN CITY, 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 Ocean City and Cape May County.

Cases

The Cape May County Health Department has reported 33 positive cases as of Thursday morning. Eleven people have recovered. Ocean City has one active case and one patient who recovered.

People with the coronavirus also might not show symptoms, according to the Center for Disease Control. With limited testing available nationwide, it is also difficult to gauge the true number of people with the virus.

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Restrictions and Updates

• Open or closed? Patch created a a simple Open-or-Closed Directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.
• Employees at Shore Medical Center received a letter Monday from its offering the option of taking voluntary layoffs because of financial difficulties during the pandemic. The hospital later clarified that the voluntary layoffs are intended for nonclinical staff, and they won't accept layoffs from doctors or nurses. MORE.
• All 16 Cape May County mayors collectively urged people to stop short-term rentals during the novel-coronavirus outbreak. MORE.
• Ocean City also prohibited online market places from offering short-term rentals until further notice. MORE.
• If everyone in Cape May County adheres to social distancing, the virus may infect around 2,400 people, according to a recent analysis. The virus may not peak until after July 31 in that case — a troubling economic scenario for many shore towns. But it would mean measures to slow the spread were effective from a public-health standpoint. MORE.
• Tests for the novel coronavirus have become more accessible throughout New Jersey. Drive-thru sites have opened up throughout the state. But some politicians have noted a lack of drive-thru testing sites in South Jersey. MORE.

Happy News

• Ocean City canceled the Great Egg Hunt because of the coronavirus outbreak. But JiLLy's Boardwalk Stores found a safe way to keep the tradition alive. MORE.
• It's a tough time for many local restaurants because of efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Ocean City Police Benevolent Association found a way to help. MORE.

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