The County of Cape May Department of Health is reporting 62 new positive cases among County residents.  Currently, 1432 County residents are now off quarantine.  

It is with great sadness today we are announcing the passing of an 96-year old female and a 95-year old male both from Ocean City, “Wishing the families peace and comfort during this hard time,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton.  

Total positive cases of COVID-19 infection in Cape May County is now 2105 including 98 deaths.  

Staying Safe at Personal and Social Activities

What you need to know

• · Stay home if sick.
• · Wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people.
• · Use social distancing (stay at least 6 feet away from others).
• · Before you go, call and ask what extra prevention strategies they are using, like requiring staff to wear masks.
• · Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.

Dining at a restaurant

Check the restaurant’s COVID-19 prevention practices before you go

• · Check the restaurant’s website and social media to see if they have updated their information to address any COVID-19 safety guidelines.
• · Before you go to the restaurant, call and ask if all staff are wearing masks while at work.
• · Ask about options for self-parking to remove the need for a valet service.

Wear masks when less than 6 feet apart from other people or indoors

Take steps to protect yourself at the restaurant

• · Wear masks when less than 6 feet apart from other people or indoors.
• · Take precautions – like wearing a mask as much as possible when not eating and maintaining a proper social distance if you are dining with others who don’t live with you.
• · Maintain a social distance of 6 feet or more in any entryway, hallway, or waiting area.
• · When possible, sit outside at tables spaced at least 6 feet apart from other people.
• · When possible, choose food and drink options that are not self-serve to limit the use of shared serving utensils, handles, buttons, or touchscreens.

Clean hands

• · Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and exiting the restaurant. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• · Before using the restroom, make sure there is enough soap and a way to dry your hands (e.g., paper towels, hand dryer), or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Hosting gatherings or cook-outs

Remind guests to stay home if they are sick

• · Remind invited guests to stay home if they have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days or are showing COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone who has had close contact with a person who has COVID-19 should also stay home and monitor their health. Invited guests who live with those at higher risk should also consider the potential risk to their loved ones.
• · Consider keeping a list of guests who attended for potential future contact tracing needs.

Encourage social distancing

• · Host your gathering outdoors, when possible. If this is not feasible, make sure the room or space is well-ventilated (for example, open a window).
• · Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing. People from the same household can be in groups together and don’t need to be 6 feet apart – just 6 feet away from other families.
• · If planning activities for adults and/or kids, consider those where social distancing can be maintained, like sidewalk chalk art or frisbee.
• · When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.

Wear masks

• · Wear masks when less than 6 feet apart from people or indoors.
• · Consider providing masks for guests or asking them to bring their own.

Clean hands often

• · Consider providing hand sanitizer in addition to clearly marked hand washing areas.
• · Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and exiting social gatherings. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• · Make sure there is adequate soap or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol available in the restrooms and encourage guests not to form a line at the door. Consider also providing cleaning supplies that allow guests to wipe down surfaces before they leave.
• · Remind guests to wash their hands before serving or eating food.
• · Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so guests do not share a towel.

Limit the number of people handling or serving food

• · Encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks.
• · Limit people going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen or around the grill, if possible.
• · If serving any food, consider identifying one person to serve all food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
• · Use single-use options or identify one person to serve sharable items, like salad dressings, food containers, and condiments, so that multiple people are not handling the items.

Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items

• · Use touchless garbage cans or pails.
• · Use gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands after removing gloves.
• · Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.
• · If you choose to use any shared items that are reusable (e.g., seating covers, tablecloths, linen napkins), wash, clean, and sanitize them after the event. 

Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources are New Jersey Poison Information and Education System Hotline at 211 or 1-800-962-1253, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, World Health Organization at www.who.int, New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net and also like us on Facebook.