MediaWize

The Cape May County Department of Health announced Thursday that there has been a second positive test result in Cape May County for coronavirus. The person is a 32-year-old male from Cape May County and is currently isolated at home and recovering. The health department is managing the investigation into people in the community who may have been exposed to the virus. Anyone determined to have been in close contact with the patient has been identified and is being notified. County health officials recommend that those people should self-quarantine for 14 days after the day they were potentially exposed. On Wednesday, Cape May County reported its first case of COVID-19. A 30-year-old man from New York City tested positive at a local healthcare facility for coronavirus while visiting Cape May County.

The Ocean City Police Department is revising its procedures for responding to some non-emergency calls from the public amid the coronavirus threat. Details follow.

Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton is urging visitors to stay home during the next two weeks amid the coronavirus threat. Many people have come down to use their second homes or to stay with family at the shore while schools are closed throughout most of the country. These visitors have put an additional strain on the local supermarkets and could eventually be a burden on the medical system in Cape May County if a significant outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) takes place here, Thornton said.

I want to update you on the latest developments in protecting the community from the spread of coronavirus. We met this morning with Congressman Jeff Van Drew and a few members of our business community to learn about the federal government’s efforts to help those affected by the virus and by related business closings. I will be able to provide more information on some of these issues as it becomes available. N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy announced a voluntary curfew for state residents from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. He ordered movie theaters, casinos, performing arts centers and gyms to close as of 8 p.m. tonight. He ordered restaurants to serve only takeout or delivered food as of 8 p.m. tonight...

Following are the latest coronavirus restrictions announced by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy: New Jersey, New York and Connecticut will limit crowd capacity for recreational and social gatherings to 50 people -- effective by 8 p.m. Monday night. Restaurants and bars will close for on-premise service and move to take-out and delivery only effective 8 p.m. tonight. Movie theaters, gyms and casinos will temporarily close effective 8 p.m. tonight. Uniform approach to social distancing will slow spread of COVID-19 throughout the tri-state area.

Based on the latest guidance from public health officials and out of an abundance of caution, the city will take the following actions to limit the risk of transmitting coronavirus (COVID-19). As of Tuesday (March 17), the Ocean City Community Center (including the Ocean City Free Public Library, Aquatic and Fitness Center, Arts Center, Historical Museum and Senior Center) will be closed. The Ocean City Sports and Civic Center and other city facilities also will be closed, and all Recreation Department programs suspended until further notice. All special events through the end of April will be canceled. This includes the OC Con Comic and Memorabilia Show, Girls Weekend, the Great Egg Hunts on the beach and other Easter events, the Easter Sunrise Service, the Doo Dah Parade, the Mr. Mature America Pageant and the Sports Memorabilia Show, among others.

Ocean City School District will be open Monday, March 16 with an early dismissal for students. The district will be closed to students as directed by the Cape May County Health Department beginning March 17 up until Monday, March 30. Details about the closing are included in the following two letters written by Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor and the Cape May County Health Department.

The Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority is replacing and rehabilitating the force mains that carry wastewater to the treatment plant on the bay at 45th Street. The work will be done on 31st Street from Haven Avenue to Bay Avenue and on Bay Avenue from 31st Street to Eighth Street. Details follow on the construction work scheduled for the week of March 16-20.

The school districts of Mainland Regional High School, Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts, Northfield, Linwood, and Somers Point are closing for students for 14 days beginning Monday, March 16 until Monday, March 30 out of concern for the coronavirus threat. "Even though at this time, there are no confirmed cases in Atlantic County, we are acting with an abundance of caution to address the spread of COVID-19 and to help protect and support our students, families, and communities during this National Emergency," the schools said in a statement announcing the closings.

Ocean City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor details the steps and precautions the school district is taking amid the coronavirus outbreak. Her letter to the public follows.