As Coronavirus Cases Spike In Lakewood, Murphy Urges Caution

LAKEWOOD, NJ — New Jersey officials are keeping a close eye on Ocean County and Lakewood as the number of positive coronavirus cases has risen significantly in the last two weeks.

Since Sept. 10, the number of people in Ocean County who have tested positive for the coronavirus is up by 929, from 11,542 to 12,471 as of Thursday morning, according to Ocean County Health Department figures. More than 500 of the new positives are in Lakewood, which went from 3,023 to 3,526 over that stretch, according to the county.

State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli on Friday said there have been 439 new cases in Ocean County since Monday, and more than half are in Lakewood.

In response, the state is sending in 6,000 more tests and more contact tracers to try to get better information on what is driving the increase, Persichilli said, and more will be sent next week.

The majority of the new cases have been among people ages 18 to 29, she said.

The statewide positivity rate is hovering around 1.15, and Persichilli said the positivity rate has risen in Lakewood, but she did not give specifics.

"Clearly Ocean County and especially Lakewood (are) our hotspots right now," Gov. Phil Murphy said. Public gatherings have been a concern all over the state as Murphy has relaxed restrictions in the coronavirus pandemic. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy said there were concerns about the potential impact from the Rosh Hashanah holiday, but said that should not be an open invitation for people to resort to anti-Semitic responses.

"Every religion in this state has a right to practice and worship on its holidays and days of worship," Murphy said. "I don't want a speck of anybody in the state saying, 'Hey see it's because 0f them.' "

"Leave any prejudices, any biases at the door," he said.

Persichilli said the state is working with the community leaders and faith leaders to address what may be causing the spike.

"We were on an hour call (Friday morning) and they were asking 'What can we do,' " she said. "Their collaboration and cooperation is extraordinary."

Lakewood religious leaders are urging people to take precautions more seriously, The Lakewood Scoop has reported.

Synagogues have started assigning seats and adding restrictions above the precautions required by the state, the Lakewood Scoop reported.

And with Yom Kippur on Monday, synagogues are taking other measures, including plastic between seats, limiting attendance, and prohibiting anyone who's been exposed to someone infected with the coronavirus from coming in to worhship.

Murphy urged everyone to continue to take precautions.

"Worship, but worship responsibly," he said.

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