1st Point Pleasant Beach Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Point Pleasant Beach reported its first positive test for the coronavirus on Tuesday.

The result came after Point Pleasant Beach announced that the town is closing its boardwalk and also placing a moratorium on vacation rentals in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Point Pleasant Beach Closes Boardwalk Due To Coronavirus Crisis

For weeks, Mayor Paul Kanitra said, the town has have taken steps to "proactively protect this town and lessen our exposure to the coronavirus here in Point Pleasant Beach."

"That said, we have also strongly prepared for the inevitability that eventually we would see our first case," he said. "Today we can confirm that we finally do have someone who has tested positive."

The report, he said, should "change absolutely nothing for those of you who have taken the matter seriously and practiced appropriate social distancing."

"For those of you who have not, we hope this is finally the wake-up call needed to protect yourself and your neighbors properly," he said.

On March 16, the Office of Emergency Management declared a local state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak nationwide.

Kanitra said it will take the whole town "working as one to minimize the pandemic’s effect on our community."

"Maintain a minimum of 6 feet of physical space from others outside your household at all times," he said. "Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds after touching anything outside of your household."

"Make smart choices and do not allow yourself or your children to take unnecessary risks. If you all do your part, we will flatten the curve and get past this chapter in our town’s history together."

The positive test result also comes nearly a week after Point Pleasant Boro's first positive test was made public on Wednesday, March 18. Point Boro now has 11 cases. Read more: First Point Pleasant Boro Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

New Jersey also announced its largest number of single-day deaths connected to the coronavirus outbreak on Tuesday. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Gov. Phil Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• A new report from ProPublica says New Jersey hospitals would be hard pressed to meet demand – even in a best-case scenario – if the coronavirus outbreak surges. Read more: NJ Hospitals Lack Beds For Coronavirus Surge: Report
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was moved from April 15 to July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted on Friday, March 20. Read more: Federal Tax Day Postponed To July 15 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
• After two FEMA sites opened, officials said five more counties will be getting coronavirus testing sites. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Sites To Open In 5 NJ Counties

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.