Asbury Park COVID-19 Cases Nearly Double Since October

ASBURY PARK — With New Jersey fully feeling the brunt of the second wave of the coronavirus, the disease's presence in Asbury Park has doubled over the past month..

Asbury Park's case total increased from 408 on Oct. 29th to 758 on Tuesday, an 85 percent increase.

The increase in cases comes as Gov. Phil Murphy has said that the second wave of the coronavirus has hit New Jersey hard and as vaccines arrive in the area. Read more: Here's When NJ May Be 'Back To Normal' – And You'll Be COVID-Free

At the same time, local schools have had to switch to virtual learning because of cases. Read more: Asbury Park Schools Going Remote After 5 COVID-19 Cases

Murphy, however, has said he doesn't plan to reverse any reopenings. In fact, Murphy has suggested that he may allow schools and businesses to expand their capacity if the state can find a way to manage the spread.

State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said contact tracers have been redeployed to the region to investigate if the new cases are related.

Persichilli said New Jersey has seen new cases linked to not only to celebratory gatherings but also solemn gatherings such as funerals.

"No matter the reason, this increase in cases reminds us that this virus is unrelenting," she said. "It treats everyone the same. We are fighting an invisible enemy, and we must continue to be cognizant of that fact, and we must continue to be vigilant to protect ourselves and our loved ones."

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley also announced there were 106 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County on Thursday. There are two new deaths being reported today related to COVID-19 in Monmouth County.

Monmouth County will offer free COVID-19 testing for County residents on Saturday, Oct. 31 in Long Branch from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bucky James Community Center, 231 Wilbur Ray Ave.
Residents should note the clinic has 100 tests and once those are administered, the clinic will close for the day. More information about the County’s COVID-19 testing program is available on www.visitmonmouth.com.

Here are the latest local updates from Asbury Park:

CASES:

• Asbury Park had 742 cases as of Sunday, Dec. 20th, according to the Monmouth County Health Department.

BUSINESSES:

• Asbury Park Dinner Table is ready to serve during the coronavirus outbreak. The group says it's on a mission to help local restaurants and hungry families during these insecure times. Read more: Asbury Park Dinner Table Ready To Serve Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce has created an information hub as the city deals with shutdowns because of the coronavirus crisis. Read more: Asbury Park's New Business Hub: Here's Where You Can Get Takeout
  

HELP AND ASSISTANCE:

• In response to the new coronavirus, the Asbury Park Fire Department has purchased a new AeroClave RDS 3110 mobile disinfection system to help protect against the disease. Read more: Asbury Park Installs Mobile Disinfection System Amid Coronavirus

HOSPITALS AND TESTING:

• Hackensack Meridian offers COVID19 testing at its nine urgent care centers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
• Immediate care of Marlboro is offering a drive-thru COVID19 test in the Marlboro Medical Arts site located at 479 Rt 520 in Marlboro. Testing is by appointment only at (855) 925-5467 ext 0.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center is a regional FEMA drive-thru test location and is open for testing every other day from 8 a.m. to 4pm for up to 500 persons per day. Click here for PNC Arts Test Center info & schedule.
• On every Saturday, the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS -- with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
• Central Jersey Urgent Care is testing up to 80 patients daily at Eatontown, Howell and Marlboro.

PERSONAL STORIES:

• This Asbury Park hero provides fresh meals to the elderly. Read more: 'Brave Angel:' Asbury Park Hero Provides Fresh Meals To Elderly
• Talk about a heroine in a crisis. News12 has a video of a 99-year-old woman from Asbury Park as she was released from Jersey Shore Medical Center this week after suffering from the coronavirus. Read more: News12 Video Of Asbury Park Woman, 99, Recovered From Coronavirus

TRIBUTES:

• Two brothers from Asbury Park fought the coronavirus, and they both succumbed to the disease just one week apart. Read more: 2 Brothers From Asbury Were Victims Of Coronavirus One Week Apart

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

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.