Latest Berkeley Coronavirus Updates

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 646 coronavirus cases in Berkeley as of Friday morning — and increase of 52 since Berkeley Patch's last update May 29. The OCHD has reported seven more deaths in Berkeley since then, bringing Berkeley's death toll to 86 people.

The OCHD reported 58 new cases Thursday in Ocean County, bringing the county's total to 8,866 cases and 766 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, 48 cases among staff
• Tallwoods Care Center: 20 cases and two deaths among residents, 10 cases among staff

Testing

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.

Ocean County drive-thru testing takes place at Ocean County College in Toms River on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Patients must meet the following requirements to get tested:

• You must be an Ocean County resident and have identification.
• You must have a healthcare practitioner script.
• You must make an online appointment at www.ochd.org.
• You must be symptomatic.

Rite Aid on Mule Road in Toms River now offers coronavirus testing. 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.

Schools

• New Jersey school districts will be permitted to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies with social distancing beginning in July, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday. Murphy made the announcement on Twitter, saying the ceremonies, which can begin July 6, must "comply with social distancing – ensuring the health and safety of all in attendance." MORE.
• Central Regional anticipates changing guidelines to determine whether an in-person graduation is feasible. Lifting the limit on gatherings from 25 to 250 people would give the district greater flexibility, according to Superintendent Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides.
• The Berkeley Township School District will hold virtual "promotion" ceremonies for its students. The ceremonies will feature virtual prerecorded messages for students. MORE.

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Restrictions and Updates

• Berkeley Township farmers markets are back. Here's more detail on how they'll operate this season. MORE.
• Berkeley officials are fighting to get the Township more federal coronavirus aid. Mayor Carmen Amato has communicated with lawmakers in the Senate and House to plead for expansion of municipalities like his. MORE.
• Memorial Day weekend often signals the unofficial beginning of summer on the Jersey Shore. It did the same last weekend, bringing a dose of familiarity to summer activities while also providing a preview of how the coronavirus may affect the shore this summer. MORE.
• The off-leash dog park at the Ocean County Air Park in Berkeley reopened Friday. MORE.
• Drive-in movies have reemerged during the coronavirus pandemic, and now they're coming to Berkeley. The Township will show three drive-in movies at Veterans Park. Municipal parks have also reopened. MORE.
• The Trenton Diocese approves of Governor Phil Murphy's directive to allow in-car religious services. The Diocese provided directives for outdoor, drive-in services during the coronavirus pandemic. MORE.
• Mill Creek County Park reopened. MORE.
• Berkeley Township extended its quarterly tax grace period because of financial hardships associated with the coronavirus outbreak. The deadline was extended from May 1 to June 1. MORE.
• Berkeley Township beaches remain open. Badges are on sale until May 31 and can be used at White Sands Beach on 20th to 23rd Avenues in South Seaside Park. MORE.
• Ocean County began gradually reopening its parks and public lands Saturday. MORE.
• We all know someone who's making a difference in this difficult time. Let's give them some of the recognition they deserve. Nominate a Berkeley hero.
• Here's how the OCHD has tried helping longterm-care facilities manage the coronavirus. MORE.
• Since the coronavirus outbreak began in Ocean and Monmouth counties, Fulfill has seen a 40 percent increase in the demand for food and has served more than 364,000 extra meals in the past month through its Crisis Relief Boxes program and its Restaurant Partnership Program. Finding a food pantry in your area is just a text away.
• Open or closed? Patch created a simple directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.

Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy extended New Jersey's public health emergency amid the coronavirus crisis, citing the disease's "ongoing risks." Here's what that means. Read more: Gov. Murphy Extends NJ's Coronavirus Public Health Emergency
• Murphy provided rules and guidance on Thursday that will create a very different shopping experience in New Jersey amid the coronavirus crisis. Read more: NJ Issues New Rules For Indoor Retail, Shopping In Coronavirus
• Murphy has been expected to provide guidance on reopening New Jersey public pools, malls, casinos, gyms and the Motor Vehicle Commission by now. What happened? Read more: Will NJ Casinos, Pools, Malls, Gyms Open? Gov. Murphy Says It's Complicated
• New Jersey issued new rules and guidance for outdoor dining at bars and restaurants on Tuesday. Read more: Here's What You'll Do At NJ Bars, Restaurants Under Coronavirus Rules

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