Ocean City Coronavirus Updates: Businesses, Pols Seek Solutions

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

Ocean City has 10 active coronavirus cases and 32 people cleared off quarantine as of Tuesday morning. The virus has killed two people in Ocean City, according to the Cape May County Health Department.

Officials have reported 680 cases and 60 deaths in Cape May County as of Tuesday morning. That includes 441 people cleared off quarantine.

Longterm-care facilities account for 66 active cases, 100 cleared off quarantine and 42 deaths in Cape May County, according to officials.

Testing

• Testing locations for COVID-19 now include Cape Regional Urgent Care in Wildwood, Marmora, and Cape May Court House, Cape Regional Hospital, Complete Care Health Network and CVS in Seaville. Proof of insurance is not needed at the Cape Regional Urgent Care locations.
• Shore Medical Center now offers tests to determine whether patients have antibodies to the coronavirus. All asymptomatic individuals are eligible for the blood test. MORE.

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Recent Updates

• Ocean City officials continue examining ideas that could benefit local businesses amid coronavirus restrictions. Councilman Keith Hartzell researched options to potentially expand space for walking, dining and shopping in Ocean City's downtown. MORE.
• The Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association created a petition calling for Governor Phil Murphy to allow their businesses to reopen with safeguards. Many Ocean City boardwalk businesses say they've financially struggled and cut their workforces during the coronavirus pandemic. MORE.
• Patch spoke with an owner of Ocean City Cafe, one of many restaurants that has struggled during the pandemic but benefits from the state allowing outdoor dining. MORE.
• The Cape May County Zoo reopened Saturday. MORE.

Past Ocean City Developments

• Eleven new coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania were traced to a person who spread the virus at recent beach house gatherings at the Jersey Shore, officials announced this weekend. The New Jersey and Bucks County health departments are investigating COVID- 19 exposures that occurred on Memorial Day weekend at a gathering at a house in Cape May County. MORE.
• Governor Phil Murphy announced Monday that municipal and private-club swimming pools can reopen amid the coronavirus outbreak. Murphy said municipal and private-club swimming pools will reopen on Monday, June 22nd. MORE.
• Chris Lambert, who owns Atilis Gym in Ocean City, is one of the founders of the "New Jersey Business Coalition Opening 6/1/2020" Facebook group, which organized shuttered businesses to reopen Monday against Murphy's orders. Lambert took Patch inside the movement.
• Ocean City officials introduced a new budget and several ideas to make up for financial difficulties associated with the coronavirus crisis. MORE.
• The Somers Point Beach Concert Series, which has taken place for 27 years, won't take place this summer because of the coronavirus. MORE.
• Ocean City Patch spoke with the owners of Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor, who closed last fall because of a fire and find themselves reopening during a pandemic. Read more on their journey back.
• If you're unsure about leaving home and exploring Ocean City, there are several ways to help determine its crowdedness in certain areas. MORE.
• We all know someone who's making a difference in this difficult time. Let's give them some of the recognition they deserve. Nominate an Ocean City hero.
• Open or closed? Patch created a a simple Open-or-Closed Directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.

Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy, speaking during a Monday news conference, issued a set of rules for organized sports to restart and also announced that more activities – such as fireworks – can resume. He made the announcement as he announced 274 new coronavirus cases and 52 more deaths. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy's Rules For Resuming NJ Sports, Some Activities
• New Jersey also entered "stage two" of its reopening on Monday, with a number of businesses restarting. Read more: NJ's Big Reopen Day: Here's What You Can Do In Coronavirus Crisis

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

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