Ocean County’s COVID Cases Remain In 'Red Zone:' See Town Updates

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a toll on Ocean County, impacting local businesses and schools in the region, according to updated state data (see town-by-town totals below).

The state Department of Health's most recent "COVID-19 Activity Level Report," which is issued weekly, says Ocean County is still in the "red zone" for coronavirus cases.

Ocean County reported 41, 204 cases on Saturday, an increase of 1,934 over the 39,270 as of Jan. 16.

The "red zone" means the daily new COVID-19 virus case rate, per 100,000 people, rose to "very high" in all 21 counties. That means they exceed 25 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day average.

The latest reports say the overall coronavirus activity level also rose from "moderate," or “yellow,” to "high," or “orange,” in recent weeks in all 21 New Jersey counties.

With the rise to a "high" level, state officials said, school districts in those counties may have to take more serious steps — such as quarantining or even shutting down schools — if a child shows the symptoms of COVID-19.

"When it is high risk, there are some recommendations that we make together with local school boards," said Edward Lifshitz, medical director for the state Department of Health.

Indeed, a number of school districts have shifted to remote instruction as the numbers have risen.

The overall coronavirus risk rose to "high" in each of the counties because:

• The new daily case rate in each of the counties rose to 10 or more per 100,000 people.
• The percent of COVID-19-like illnesses rose above 5.52 in each of the counties.
• The percent of positive cases rose above 10.01.

Ocean County officials provided the following breakdown of cases by town. In parentheses is the number of cases for the town as of Jan. 16. If the town shows a decrease, it reflects a correction based on the person's actual address as opposed to mailing address.

• Barnegat Light 22 (21)
• Barnegat Township 1,201 (1,146)
• Bay Head 42 (40)
• Beach Haven 37 (36)
• Beachwood 674 (626)
• Berkeley Township 2,689 (2,588)
• Brick Township 5,364 (5,034)
• Eagleswood Township 98 (93)
• Harvey Cedars 11 (9)
• Island Heights 73 (65)
• Jackson Township 3,775 (3,566)
• Lacey Township 1,564 (1,471)
• Lakehurst 181 (173)
• Lakewood Township 9,652 (9,246)
• Lavallette 108 (98)
• Little Egg Harbor Township 1,058 (989)
• Long Beach Township 128 (114)
• Manchester Township 2,661 (2,510)
• Mantoloking 12 (10)
• Ocean Gate 104 (101)
• Ocean Township (Waretown) 348 (334)
• Pine Beach 98 (88)
• Plumsted Township 352 (334)
• Point Pleasant Beach 266 (237)
• Point Pleasant 1,446 (1,356)
• Seaside Heights 169 (163)
• Seaside Park 70 (70)
• Ship Bottom 61 (60)
• South Toms River 242 (224)
• Stafford Township 1,613 (1,513)
• Surf City 36 (34)
• Toms River 6,823 (6,476)
• Tuckerton 148 (133)

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