Cape May Co.’s COVID Cases Now In ‘Orange Zone:' See Town Updates

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a toll on Cape May 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 Cape May County is now in the “orange zone" for coronavirus cases, dropping from the "red" zone since last week.

Cape May County reported 3,536 cases on Friday, an increase of 71, or 2 percent, over the previous week’s total. It is a smaller percentage increase than reported earlier this month, showing a slowing in the spread of cases.

The "red zone" means the daily new COVID-19 virus case rate, per 100,000 people, is "very high" currently in 11 counties. That means they exceed 25 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day average. The "orange" zone means they have a rate of 10 to 25 cases per 100,000 people.

The latest reports say the overall coronavirus activity level is either "moderate," or "yellow," or "high," or "orange," in all New Jersey counties.

"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.

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.

Cape May County provided the following breakdown of active cases by town:

• Avalon: 1
• Cape May City: 5
• Cape May Point: 0
• Dennis Township: 14
• Lower Township: 81
• Middle Township: 75
• North Wildwood: 10
• Ocean City: 46
• Sea Isle City: 4
• Stone Harbor: 1
• Upper Township: 56
• West Cape May: 2
• West Wildwood: 0
• Wildwood: 24
• Wildwood Crest: 7
• Woodbine: 11

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Ocean City Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email kimberlee.bongard@patch.com.