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 five active cases and two recoveries in Ocean City as of 1 p.m. Wednesday. Officials have reported 100 positive cases, including 15 recoveries and two deaths, in the county.

The CMCHD reported the county's second known death from the virus. The patient was an 86-year-old man with underlying health conditions. He was also a resident at Victoria Manor in North Cape May. Fifteen residents and 12 staff have tested positive for the coronavirus at the nursing home as of Tuesday evening. MORE.

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Testing

Cape May County opened a drive-thru testing site for the coronavirus. Officials will only disclose the location to people approved for testing because of confidentiality. MORE.

Here's how to set up an appointment.

Restrictions and Updates

• The Cape May County Board of Freeholders voted Tuesday to prohibit hotels, motels and other short-term rental businesses from lodging transient guests or seasonal tenants. MORE.
• Ocean City's May 12 election will be conducted by mail. Here's how to vote.
• Cellphone tracking data shows how well Cape May County residents are doing to 'flatten the curve' during the coronavirus crisis. MORE.
• Open or closed? Patch created a a simple Open-or-Closed Directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.
• Ocean City's annual Easter Fashion Show goes virtual this year. MORE.
• Governor Phil Murphy announced Tuesday the closure of all state and county parks. Many state parks previously allowed passive recreation such as walking during the pandemic.
• All Ocean City police officers will now wear cloth masks because of a recommendation from the Center for Disease Control, along with medical and law-enforcement experts around New Jersey.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• 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
• 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
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• 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
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• 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
• Murphy also has announced the launch of a new online portal to connect New Jersey residents with jobs in critical industries responding to COVID-19. Read more: Companies ARE Hiring: NJ Launches Online Job Portal
• Experts are also predicting when the coronavirus peak could hit New Jersey. Read more: 1 Million To 1.5 Million In NJ Could Get Coronavirus: Report
• 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
• Murphy, speaking on two separate talk shows, gave an update on how much time New Jersey will need to fight the coronavirus – and how long residents will need to stay home. Read more: 6 Things NJ Really Needs In Coronavirus Crisis, And For How Long
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of NJ 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

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