The number of confirmed coronavirus patients in Ocean County took a threefold jump over the course of a single night, and so many are saying that a surge in cases over the next several days is a distinct possibility.
It was a week ago that Governor Phil Murphy shut down all large public gatherings, noting: “… based on guidance we have received from the Commissioner of Health, we are recommending the cancellation of all public gatherings throughout New Jersey of more than 250 individuals, including concerts, sporting events, and parades. These measures are being taken as part of our coordinated response to the continued outbreak and to aggressively mitigate the spread of the virus. Additionally, for all events, we recommend that everyone practice commonsense hygiene, like washing hands routinely, staying home if you do not feel well, and keeping a six-foot distance from others.”
On Wednesday, the state’s Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli confirmed that there is a total of 33 positive coronavirus cases in Ocean County, with 25 new cases being reported overnight.
“Meanwhile, Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles and Rabbi Moshe Weisberg, a spokesman for the Lakewood Vaad, have said there could be as many as 40 coronavirus cases in Lakewood alone,” reported app.com. “That’s the number, but it might grow,” said Coles, who said he discussed the township’s new cases in a meeting with township officials Thursday morning.
The good news for the residents of Lakewood is that the state of New Jersey is working around the clock to keep them safe. Murphy, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the New Jersey Department of Health, and the United Ways of New Jersey announced that NJ 211 has been activated to help handle COVID-19 related calls from New Jersey residents. All residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them can call 2-1-1. NJ 211 is New Jersey’s statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service operated by United Ways of New Jersey. Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text information and stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211.
“These enhancements to 211 will supplement, rather than replace, the existing COVID-19 hotline, operated by the New Jersey Poison Control Center. State residents with questions about COVID-19 illness can continue to call the previously shared numbers for the COVID-19 hotline, but they can also call 211 to get answers about their COVID-19 questions,” the state said. “Additionally, the Department of Health has a COVID-19 website with resources including CDC updates, guidance for schools, colleges, businesses, long-term care facilities, health care professionals and public health professionals. The website is available at https://nj.gov/health/coronavirus.”
In yet another development in the Orthodox Jewish world, the New York Post reported on Wednesday that members of New York City’s Orthodox Jewish community were openly defying the social distancing orders by hosting weddings with hundreds of guests amid the growing spread of coronavirus.
The New York Post reported that a wedding at Ateres Avrohom in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was shut down around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after community members complained to City Hall, which sent the FDNY to clear it out, FDNY spokesperson Jim Long told The Post.
“They were operating outside of the recent directives in regards to social distancing and we addressed the issue based upon health and safety,” Long said.
