Cape May County's Cases In COVID 'Red Zone:' See Town Updates

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a grim toll on Cape May County, impacting local business and schools in the region, according to updated state data.

The state Department of Health's most recent "COVID-19 Activity Level Report," which is issued weekly, says Cape May County is in the “red zone” for coronavirus cases.

Cape May County reported 1,908 cases on Friday, an increase of more than 1,500 from the previous week.

The “red zone” means the daily new COVID-19 virus case rate, per 100,000 people, rose to "very high" in all 21 counties. That means they exceed 25 cases per 1,000 people.

The latest reports say the overall coronavirus activity level also rose from "moderate," or “yellow,” to "high," or “orange,” in recent weeks in all 21 New Jersey counties.

With the rise to a "high" level, state officials said, school districts in those counties may have to take more serious steps — such as quarantining or even shutting down schools — if a child shows the symptoms of COVID-19.

"When it is high risk, there are some recommendations that we make together with local school boards," said Edward Lifshitz, medical director for the state Department of Health.

Indeed, a number of school districts have shifted to remote instruction as the numbers have risen.

The overall coronavirus risk rose to "high" in each of the counties because:

• The new daily case rate in each of the counties rose to 10 or more per 100,000 people.
• The percent of COVID-19-like illnesses rose above 5.52 in each of the counties.
• The percent of positive cases rose above 10.01.

Cape May County officials provided the following breakdown of cases by town:

• Avalon: 8
• Cape May City: 13
• Cape May Point: 2
• Dennis Township: 18
• Lower Township: 118
• Middle Township: 110
• North Wildwood: 34
• Ocean City: 53
• Sea Isle City: 6
• Stone Harbor: 2
• Upper Township: 64
• West Cape May: 5
• West Wildwood: 3
• Wildwood: 43
• Wildwood Crest: 19
• Woodbine: 9

Local Updates Around Cape May County:

• Nurse Among 8 Dead In Ocean City Nursing Home COVID Outbreak
• Ocean City Coronavirus Update: Nurse Dies In COVID Outbreak

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Kimberlee Bongard and Tom Davis contributed to this report