Cape May Court House- New Jersey has 166,605 total COVID-19 positive cases and 12,589 deaths. Total positive cases of COVID-19 infection in Cape May County is now 672 including 57 deaths. Sadly, we are announcing the passing of an 86-year-old female from Dennis Township.

“Please accept my deepest condolences for your family’s loss,” said Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton. “Words cannot even begin to express my sorrow.”

What if my client or someone they live with has been exposed to COVID-19, has symptoms of COVID-19, or tests positive for COVID-19?

• Encourage your client to contact their healthcare provider or help them contact their provider if assistance is needed. Clients may need help accessing telehealth.
• If hospitalization for your client is not needed, your client may require assistance with home care for COVID-19. 
  • See guidance for implementing home care of people not requiring hospitalization.
  • Follow recommended infection prevention and control measures, including the use of recommended PPE.
• Follow healthcare provider guidance for standard and transmission-based precautions to protect yourself when providing care for clients with COVID-19. 
  • Cloth face coverings are not PPE and should not be worn in place of proper PPE for the care of clients with known or suspected COVID-19.
• Sick clients should also wear a facemask or cloth face covering (if tolerated). 
  • Wearing cloth face coverings may be difficult for people with sensory, cognitive, or behavioral issues. Cloth face coverings are not recommended for children under 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance.
• Review the Administration for Community Living COVID-19 website regularly for information and contact your state’s Developmental Disability Administration, Disability Council, or Independent Living Council for local information regarding availability and assistance in obtaining resources.
• If you are caring for someone with COVID-19 in their home, monitor for emergency signs, prevent the spread of germs, treat symptoms, and follow recommendations for when to end home isolation.
• Call your healthcare provider for medical advice regarding your own health.

What if I become sick or am exposed to someone who has COVID-19?

• Stay home and self-isolate, except to get medical care. 
  • Staying at home helps protect the people you work with who may be at greater risk of infection or severe illness from COVID-19. It also helps protect others in the community.
• If you develop symptoms such as a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or new loss of taste or smell or you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your healthcare provider for further guidance.
• Notify your employer, the client with disabilities and, if applicable, their guardian as soon as possible so appropriate plans for an alternate DSP can be made. The client should be monitored for COVID-19 symptoms.

Are my clients at increased risk for becoming infected or having severe illness from COVID-19?

People with one of the disability types listed may be at increased risk of becoming infected or having severe illness from COVID-19.

• People who have limited mobility and/or who cannot avoid coming into close contact with others who may be infected
• People who have trouble understanding information or practicing preventive measures, such as hand washing and social distancing
• People who may not be able to communicate symptoms of illness
• People who are blind or have low vision who rely on touch or tactile information
• People who need alternative communication methods, such as sign language or braille, who may not have access to information

Adults with disabilities are three times more likely than adults without disabilities to have serious underlying medical conditions. They are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 if they are 65 years and older, live in a long-term care facility, or have serious underlying medical conditions. 

Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and your underlying health conditions. 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, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at www.who.int, the New Jersey Department of Health at COVID19.nj.gov. For additional information visit https://capemaycountynj.gov/ or Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net, also like us on Facebook.