More Ocean City Visitors Testing Positive For Coronavirus

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect Cape May County's coronavirus statistics as of Tuesday afternoon.

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is among several Cape May County towns that have seen a recent increase in out-of-state positive cases. The age group of these cases is mainly between 15 and 25, according to county officials.

Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Avalon and Wildwood saw an increase in positive cases from out-of-staters in the past week, according to the Cape May County Health Department.

County officials declined to make out-of-state case numbers available for each municipality. But the Cape May County Health Department recently started releasing overall totals for out-of-county numbers.

The CMCHD reported 20 out-of-county positive cases Sunday, but that figure decreased to eight on Monday. The county doesn't include out-of-county cases in its daily spreadsheet of coronavirus cases.

Statistics for positive tests count toward the patient's year-round home, per state protocol. County Health Officer Kevin Thomas decided recently to publicly release out-of-county totals to increase transparency, said Administrative Aide to the Freeholders Denis Brown.

Thomas emphasized social distancing and wearing a mask.

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“The best way to prevent COVID-19 is by avoiding being exposed, which is why we are urging everyone to practice social distancing," Thomas said. "We are doing our part in trying to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 cases, but we need our residents and visitors to take action and do their part as well, this is a team effort."

Officials have reported three active coronavirus cases, 45 people cleared off quarantine and three deaths in Ocean City as of Monday. A 79-year-old Ocean City woman died from the virus, the CMCHD announced Tuesday. The figures don't reflect people who live outside the county or state.

Cape May County has 80 active cases, 649 people cleared off quarantine and 71 deaths as of Monday. Longterm-care facilities account for 28 active cases, 145 people cleared off quarantine and 50 deaths.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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