3 More Deaths, 557 Coronavirus Cases In Ocean County

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — There were three more deaths in Ocean County from the new coronavirus, as the count of positive tests exceeded 550, the county health department announced Friday.

Across New Jersey, the total number of cases of the coronavirus rose to 8,825, said Judith Persichilli, the state health commission, as she announced the day's statistics. There were 27 more deaths, bringing the statewide death total to 108.

Those totals were released as several towns and Ocean County authorities tightened restrictions to deter people from flocking to the beaches and boardwalks in the warmer weather, shutting off access to the public. Some towns have put a temporary ban on rentals including AirBnB.

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Toms River and Seaside Heights on Friday announced boardwalk closures in addition to beach closures, joining several other towns that announced their closures on Thursday. Read more: Coronavirus Closes Beaches, Boardwalks In Ortley To Seaside Park

"This move was a difficult decision but is best for the health and safety of all our citizens," Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill said.

In Bay Head there's a local state of emergency that allows the police chief to close the parks, beaches and streets as needed. Mantoloking has banned parking on all public streets except for essential personnel and services, though the beaches are still open.

Point Pleasant Beach closed its boardwalk earlier in the week. Barriers were being placed on both inlet and boardwalk parking lots, and Jenkinson’s is closed, county officials said.

Ocean County also warned it will shut down more facilities if people do not follow social distancing. The county closed the Mantoloking Bridge County Park and fishing pier on Friday because it was getting too crowded. Traders Cove Park, adjacent to the county park, remained open but Brick Township Mayor John G. Ducey said the town was keeping an eye on the situation there. Read more: Crowds Force Mantoloking Bridge Park Closure Amid Coronavirus

"We are hoping to keep open spaces availabe for exercise, sunshine and enjoyment," Ducey said. "If problems arise the township is ready to reconsider and close" Traders Cove.

Some towns have temporarily banned or are planning to ban online rentals such as through AirBnB. Among them are Bay Head, Lavallette, Long Beach Township and Point Pleasant, which also has banned vacation rentals.

The concern is the added stress on local services at a time when towns are not prepared for an influx of visitors.

"While tourism is Ocean County’s bread and butter, we do ask everyone to stay in their primary homes and not relocate to a summer house in Ocean County or anywhere else," Freeholder Director Joseph Vicari said. "Many of our seasonal restaurants and businesses are closed and do not have the staff or the supplies to cater to this sudden increase in population."

The concerns about the stress aren't limited to retail establishments; there are concerns about stress on the county's hospitals as well, as cases start to rise significantly. Ocean County's first case, a 72-year-old Manchester Township man, was reported on March 13. Two weeks later there are 557 cases in the county, according to the Friday afternoon report from the Ocean County Health Department. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The county figure from Friday includes 236 in Lakewood, 69 in Toms River, 57 in Jackson, 46 in Brick, 33 in Berkeley, 26 in Manchester, 20 in Point Pleasant, 14 in Lacey, 12 in Barnegat, seven in Stafford, five in Little Egg Harbor, five in South Toms River, three in Beachwood, three in Plumsted, three in Waretown, two in Long Beach Township, two in Barnegat Light, two in Point Pleasant Beach, two in Ship Bottom, and one each in Bay Head, Island Heights, Lavallette, Ocean Gate, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, and Surf City.

Persichilli said the state has gotten results on nearly 25,000 coronavirus tests so far, and the 8,825 positive results is roughly 33 percent. Testing is expected to increase at the free drive-up sites, and the site at Ocean County College is set to open at 9 a.m. Monday.

Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye said more than 300 people have registered so far; all of the Monday appointments have been filled and the county is taking appointments for Tuesday through Friday.

"We do not want anyone to show up at this testing site without following the requirements we have put in place," Regenye said. "We are not going to do any health screenings at the site. It is just for testing for the virus."

To be tested at the Ocean County College site, these are the requirements:

• You must be an Ocean County resident and have identification.
• You must have a physician’s prescription
• You must make an online appointment at www.ochd.org.
• You must be symptomatic.

Regenye said any practitioner (including a nurse practitioner, advanced practice nurse, medical doctor, physician assistant, etc.) who has prescription privileges in New Jersey can write a script for COVID-19 testing, it does not necessarily have to be a physician.

With many health care providers currently doing telemedicine, you do not need to see a physician in person to obtain the necessary script and Regenye urged people who are showing symptoms to use that option to avoid needlessly exposing others.

Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJ Barnabas Healthcare System both are helping to staff the testing site and both have telemedicine available to help people get the needed prescription.

The telemedicine services at the hospitals can be accessed at:

RWJ Barnabas Healthcare System (Community Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus) www.RWJBHtelemed.org use code RWJBH15

Hackensack Meridian Health (Ocean Medical Center, Southern Ocean Medical Center) https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/covid19/

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