5 Rabbis From Lakewood Among NJ's Coronavirus Fatalities: Reports

LAKEWOOD, NJ — At least five rabbis from Lakewood are among more than 200 New Jersey residents who have died from the effects of the new coronavirus, according to multiple reports.

The rabbis' deaths are among 44 so far across the world, The Jerusalem News reported. The publication reported names of the rabbis who have died, and four match names that have been reported by The Lakewood Scoop in recent days.

The reports of the deaths come as the coronavirus continues to spread across New Jersey; as of Tuesday afternoon, the state health department reported 18,696 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 267 deaths statewide.

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Lakewood has drawn much attention in recent days amid reports of gatherings that violated orders from Gov. Phil Murphy to stay at home in efforts to enforce social distancing and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The township, which has more than 100,000 residents, also has the highest number of positive cases in Ocean County. As of Monday evening, Lakewood accounted for 399 of the 954 positive cases in the county, according to the Ocean County Health Department. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

There have been 16 deaths from the coronavirus in the county, the health department said Tuesday. State and local health officials have not released details on what towns the deaths have occurred in due to federal laws governing the release of private medical information.

The names of some people who have died from the virus have been published within the Jewish community, however.

Among them: Rabbi Michoel Tzvi Fettman, whose death the Scoop reported Monday afternoon. Fettman, 39, had a wife and nine children, according to the Israel National News, which also reported his death.

The Scoop also reported Rabbi Avrohom Eliezer Gordon, who died March 26; Rabbi Chaim Weill, and Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Schmidt, who both died sometime during the Jewish Sabbath, among the rabbis who have died.

Rabbi Avraham Levi Bressler, 58, died March 24, NJ.com reported, citing Bressler's obituary on matzav.com, which focuses on the Jewish community.

The string of deaths has prompted increased warnings from other rabbis and community leaders for residents to stay home, similar to the warnings that have been repeatedly issued across New Jersey and across the country. The warnings come amid repeated instances of violations of Murphy's stay-at-home order, including two in a span of 24 hours from Sunday to Monday.

On Tuesday, Murphy suggested stronger penalties may be needed to curb gatherings that have happened not only in Lakewood but elsewhere in the state. A party on Monday in Newark resulted in charges for everyone who attended the party, New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan said.

"We're all getting numb from posting and seeing candles," a tweet Monday from the Scoop said. "Please just stay home and let's get through this alive."

It's the same message that's been delivered by Murphy repeatedly.

"We all have to do our part to help flatten the curve," he said Tuesday.

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