Berkeley Coronavirus Updates: Cases, Testing, Schools

BERKELEY, NJ — There's a lot of news to keep up with right now — locally, nationally and worldwide. Here's a recap of coronavirus updates in Berkeley.

Cases

The Ocean County Health Department has reported 747 coronavirus cases and 101 deaths in Berkeley as of Friday afternoon. Sixteen have tested positive since Berkeley Patch's last update July 16, but no new deaths have been reported.

The OCHD reported 76 new cases in the county, bringing the area to 10,139 cases and 941 deaths.

The state has reported the following in Berkeley longterm care facilities as of Friday:

• Crystal Lake Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center: 75 cases and 25 deaths among residents, 53 cases among staff
• Tallwoods Care Center: 34 cases and four deaths among residents, 11 cases among staff

Testing

Ocean County began testing asymptomatic patients July 6 at its Ocean County College drive-thru site. Officials haven't announced hours for next week, but the county will provide testing from 8 a.m. to noon Friday by appointment.

To schedule a test appointment, Ocean County residents can visit the Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org. If residents have any questions, they can call the Health Department at 732-341-9700, ext. 7411.

• Urgent Care Now in Lanoka Harbor and Toms River have coronavirus testing available for all Berkeley Township residents. Patients must show a driver's license or government-issued ID showing a Berkeley address. MORE.
• Hackensack Meridian Urgent Care can test whether patients were previously infected with the coronavirus. Hackensack Meridian's urgent care centers began antibody testing May 2. Nearby locations include Forked river and Toms River.
• Rite Aid has expanded its self-swab testing to two more Toms River stores. MORE.

Recent Updates

• The Berkeley Township School District will plan for a "maximal attendance, in-person return," according to Superintendent Dr. James D. Roselli. As officials develop the reopening plan, Roselli says students and staff will be required to wear masks during the school day. MORE.
• There's no crying in baseball or when Berkeley postpones its drive-in movie. The Township postponed its showing of "A League of Their Own" to Wednesday at Veterans Park. MORE.
• Caffrey's Backyard temporarily closed after two employees tested positive for the coronavirus. MORE.

Here's what else you should know:

• New Jersey issued its rules for virtual learning on Friday as Murphy said he's ready to make changes to school reopening plans if the coronavirus crisis worsens, adding that the Garden State "is not out of the woods yet." Murphy made the statement as he revealed 488 additional coronavirus cases and 36 more confirmed deaths. Read more: NJ Issues School Virtual-Learning Rules, But Big Changes Possible
• Murphy announced a new program on Thursday to help NJ small businesses "crushed" by the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy Announces Aid To Small Businesses In 64 NJ Towns

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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