County Health Department Update – April 4, 2020

The Cape May County Department of Health today reported that a 72-year-old female from Upper Township with underlying health conditions died from Covid-19.

“I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones during this time of loss,” said Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton. “As COVID-19 continues to spread in Cape May County, we must all do what we can to keep each other safe.”

“My heart is with the family, friends, and neighbors who are grieving,” said Freeholder Jeff Pierson, liaison to the Health Department and an Upper Township resident. “This loss is deeply felt by our entire community. Now more than ever, each of us must do our part to prevent the spread of this virus, especially to our most vulnerable residents.”

Health Officer, Kevin Thomas emphasized the importance of all residents to do their part to slow the spread of the virus and protect those in our communities who might be at higher risk of severe illness or death. The most vulnerable include those over 65-years-old and those with underlying health conditions.

Additionally, 16 more positive cases of Covid-19 were reported today which brings the total to 69 in Cape May County. These cases include a 73-year-old male, 47-year-old male, 53-year-old female, 32-year-old female, 36-year-old female 40-year-old female, 36-year-old female, 28-year-old female, 90-year-old male, 56-year-old female, 86-year-old male, 81-year-old male, 89-year -old female, 69-year-old female, 83-year-old female, and a 76-year-old female.

Steps that everyone can take to slow the spread of the virus include:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset or three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

State and local public health have implemented a series of community interventions such as temporary closures of restaurants, bars and schools, recommended social distancing measures such as staying home as much as possible, maintaining a distance of six feet from other people, replacing in-person work meetings with teleworking, and cancelling gatherings of 10 people or more. Also, do not hold events with more than 10 people where the majority of participants are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including gatherings such as those at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes and support groups for people with health conditions.

Visit Strategies to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota for our recommended community mitigation strategies.

Since the outbreak started in December 2019, more than 284,000 cases and 11,800 deaths have been reported worldwide. The U.S. reported 19,624 cases and 260 deaths as of this morning.