Lizzo Feeds Community Medical Center Staff In Coronavirus Battle

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Staff members at Community Medical Center got a surprise thank you for the long hours and stressful work in the midst of the outbreak of the new coronavirus from an unexpected source on Monday: vocalist Lizzo bought them lunch.

The singer sent a message to the staff at the Toms River hospital, along with a delivery of food, to thank them for the work they are doing treating those who are ill with COVID-19.

There were more than 22,000 confirmed cases of the virus in New Jersey as of Wednesday afternoon, including more than 1,200 in Ocean County.

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"Hello, Toms River, Community Medical Center," Lizzo said in a video message that was shared on Twitter by the RWJ Barnabas Health Network, the parent organization of the hospital.

"Thank you so much for everything you guys are doing," she said. "Thank you so much for working so hard for us. I wanted to show you a token of my appreciation for you."

The message and the food delivery were among several Lizzo sent to hospitals around the country. It was not immediately clear how she chose Community.

"We honestly do not know the connection," said Carrie Cristello, an RWJ Barnabas spokesperson. "But the staff was very grateful. It was a wonderful, heartfelt gesture and was immensely appreciated!"

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

"I just want you guys to know we are praying for you every day, we're thinking of you every day, we're socially distancing for you guys every day," Lizzo said. "That's the least we can do."

"I hope this puts a smile on your face," she said.

She later put a post on Instagram with photos that were tweeted at her in response to the gesture, and encouraged her followers to make donations to the World Health Organization's COVID-19 response fund, to support research into the virus.

As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 22,255 positive tests for COVID-19 in New Jersey, and 355 people have died from it, according to the state health department.

There have been 1,256 positive tests in Ocean County so far, as of Wednesday’s report from the Ocean County Health Department. That includes 450 in Lakewood, 204 in Toms River, 125 in Brick, 114 in Jackson, 83 in Berkeley, 67 in Manchester, 38 in Barnegat, 36 in Lacey, 36 in Point Pleasant, 25 in Stafford, 16 in South Toms River, 11 in Beachwood, nine in Little Egg Harbor, six in Seaside Heights, five in Long Beach Township, four in Plumsted, four in Waretown, three in Beach Haven, three in Lakehurst, three in Lavallette, three in Point Pleasant Beach, two in Barnegat Light, two in Bay Head, two in Seaside Park, two in Ship Bottom, two in Island Heights and one in Surf City.

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