How Much Is COVID Spreading In Cape May County

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to have an impact on New Jersey and Cape May County (see-town-by-town data below).

According to the Cape May County Department of Health, there were 567 active cases in the county on Friday, down from the 579 reported the previous week on Aug. 27.

Cape May County has seen a drop in COVID-19 cases week-over-week. Less than 40 new cases of COVID-19 were reported to the health department this week. The previous week, less than 40 cases came between July 31 and Aug. 6.

"This reduction in cases correlates with the county’s steady decline in the rate of infection (RT) over the past month. The RT is currently at 1.05, according to the website of covidactnow.com, which has been decreasing from 1.47 on July 29," officials said.

An RT above 1.0 indicates that the spread of COVID-19 is increasing, according to the health department.

"This is the lowest the RT has been since July 15 in the county," officials said. "To keep up the progress, residents are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated and to wear masks indoors when social distancing is difficult and ventilation not ideal."

The department also said the number of hospitalizations due to COVID has declined in the county. The Cape Regional Medical Center reported 18 COVID positive patients on Sept. 2, down from 28 individuals who were COVID positive at the hospital on Aug. 31.

Cape May County officials provided the following breakdown of active cases by town, with active case totals from Aug. 27 in parentheses:

• Avalon: 8 (6)
• Cape May City: 6 (14)
• Cape May Point: 2 (0)
• Dennis Township: 38 (26)
• Lower Township: 124 (112)
• Middle Township: 145 (147)
• North Wildwood: 28 (32)
• Ocean City: 32 (30)
• Sea Isle City: 11 (16)
• Stone Harbor: 7 (3)
• Upper Township: 73 (71)
• West Cape May: 3 (6)
• West Wildwood: 2 (1)
• Wildwood: 54 (67)
• Wildwood Crest: 17 (23)
• Woodbine: 17 (25)

The state Department of Health reports that 61,997 Cape May County residents have received at least one vaccine dose and 56,250 have been fully vaccinated as of Friday.

According to the CDC, 63 percent of the county’s population is fully vaccinated.

The Cape May County Department of Health is providing COVID-19 vaccinations in the community weekly.

This week, vaccines will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Seaville Fire Co. 36 NJ-50 in Ocean View on Sept. 6. Vaccinations are also available every Wednesday at the Cape May County Department of Health building at 6 Moore Rd. in Cape May Court House from 1 to 6 p.m.

“The reinforced messaging that Cape May County initiated when the spread of the Delta variant began appears to be paying off,” said Cape May County Commissioner Jeff Pierson, liaison to the Cape May County Department of Health. “We continue to encourage people to take the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their families. Our County Department of Health continues to be out in the community every week to make getting the vaccine as easy as possible for our residents.”

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.