No 'Specific Concerns' About Cape May Co.'s Jump In COVID Cases

Correction: A previous version of this article said an outbreak among longterm-care facilities occurred in the fall, rather than the spring.

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — The number of active coronavirus cases among Cape May County residents has more than doubled in the past 10 days. But the recent jump doesn't spark any major concerns among county officials.

The Cape May County Health Department reported 48 active cases among residents Aug. 30. The figure has steadily increased since then, totaling 114 in the county's latest report Tuesday afternoon.

Active cases include anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 over the past two weeks — the amount of time before anyone can clear quarantine. While the case totals show increases in county figures, they don't cause any "specific concerns" among officials, according to Denis Brown, administrative aide to the county freeholders.

"(The case totals) don’t show a major spike of any kind," Brown said. "And the active cases are fairly spread out with the largest numbers coming from our mainland communities that have higher year-round populations than the coastal towns. So this doesn’t speak to a major gathering or issue related to a specific municipality."

Here's how the number of active cases in Cape May County has changed since Aug. 30:

• Aug. 30: 52
• Aug. 31: 66
• Sept. 1: 73
• Sept. 2: 70
• Sept. 3: 62
• Sept. 4: 74
• Sept. 5: 87
• Sept. 6: 98
• Sept. 7: 108
• Sept. 8: 114

Cape May County has reported 1,193 total cases during the pandemic. The area has far fewer year-round residents than most New Jersey counties — 97,265 according to the 2010 census. But the county was able to keep coronavirus totals comparatively low among residents and visitors throughout the summer.

The county's worst outbreak came in the spring, when several longterm-care facilities began reporting cases and deaths. The current jump in cases reflects a spread of about the same rate, but it has largely stayed out of nursing homes. There are nine active cases in Cape May County longterm-care facilities as of Tuesday's report.

County health officials continue to examine increases in cases and detect any patterns.

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"We continue to monitor everything and will certainly make people aware if there is behavior we feel could put people in jeopardy," Brown said. "The Health Department was clear in early July when younger individuals were gathering without proper face coverings and lack of social distancing.

"They implemented a social media and digital campaign to reach those individuals to help bring the numbers down. As issues arise we will continue to do what is necessary."

County officials reported the following active-case totals as of Tuesday:

• Avalon: zero
• Cape May City: three
• Cape May Point: zero
• Dennis Township: 14 (including two in longterm-care facilities)
• Lower Township: 16
• Middle Township: 19
• North Wildwood: five
• Ocean City: seven
• Sea Isle City: one
• Stone Harbor: zero
• Upper Township: nine
• West Cape May: zero
• West Wildwood: zero
• Wildwood: nine
• Wildwood Crest: four
• Woodbine: 27 (seven in longterm-care facilities)

Officials reported 20 active cases among non-county residents.

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

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