Point Boro: 'No Need, Reason To Panic' As Coronavirus Cases Rise

POINT PLEASANT BORO – Point Pleasant Boro's mayor urged people to not panic as coronavirus cases continue to grow in the community. Firefighters also made a plea for protecting emergency responders.

Mayor Robert A. Sabosik urged people to follow proper procedures now that the Ocean County Health Department has revealed that Point Pleasant Boro now has seven positive cases.

The first positive result was made public on Wednesday, March 18. Read more: First Point Pleasant Boro Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

"As the number of cases inevitably rises," Sabosik said, "I want to stress again there is no need or reason to panic.

"There is a need for you to be concerned, though, and to continue practicing smart social distancing and hygiene practices of which I have covered in previous public notices."

Sabosik said notices to the public are not meant to create worry, but they're instead intended to educate and inform. As testing becomes more available and time progresses, every community, including Point Pleasant Boro, will inevitably have more positive cases of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, he said.

Firefighters also offered a reminder to people:

The mayor, meanwhile, reminded everybody that the names and addresses of positive cases are not allowed to be revealed due to laws protecting an individual’s medical history.

"There is no need for you to be panicked by this though," he said. "The Ocean County Health Department is the lead agency for investigation of cases involving a positive COVID-19 person."

If it is determined that a resident is in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19, the county Health Department will reach out, he said. The county Health Department conducts a thorough contact tracing exercise on each case and notifies anyone who could have come in contact with that individual, he said.

"I would like to thank everyone for your calmness, your cooperation and most importantly for your charitable actions for your fellow neighbors," he said. "We truly live in an exceptional community."

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.