New Jersey’s death toll from COVID-19 has nearly doubled in the past two days, rising to 81. Nearly 2,500 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to nearly 6,900. Three more Atlantic County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to officials earlier today. The three men include two in their 20s, both of whom are recovering at home, and a third in his late 50s, who is hospitalized, according to a news release from county spokeswoman Linda Gilmore. There are now a total of 14 cases of the new coronavirus throughout the county. There are nine in Cape May County.

Most New Jersey residents getting assistance formerly called food stamps will be getting more aid because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration said today that roughly 60% of the 340,000 households who get help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will see an extra benefit payment on Sunday. Families that already get the federal maximum amount won’t be eligible for the higher benefit, but Murphy’s administration says about 205,000 households will qualify for it. The money comes as part of federal legislation that set aside $70 million for New Jersey families.

There’s a need for child care centers in Cape May County to accommodate the children of essential workers. The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management wanted to ensure local daycares were open for essential employees during this time.
Among th list of essential employees outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order are first responders, health care workers, essential government employees, Social Services workers, and workers of essential retail operations. There’s a form for day care operators to fill out in this situation avaialable at the Cape May County Health Department website.

Close to 2,500 new cases of coronavirus have surfaced in New Jersey in the last day and the death toll has nearly doubled. The number of fatalities now stands at 81. Governor Murphy says the total number of cases now stands at 6,900. Also, state Department of Labor and Workforce Development reports it received 155,815 new claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending March 21. That’s an increase of over 1,500% from the prior week.

The Atlantic County Superintendent of Elections reminds all Atlantic City and Ventnor voters that the Atlantic City Special Election originally scheduled for March 31 has been postponed to Tuesday, May 12 and will run in conjunction with Ventnor’s Municipal Election to be held the same day. Given this postponement, the new deadline for Voter Registration will be Tuesday, April 21

The Atlantic County Division of Public has confirmed two additional residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as of this morning, Thursday, March 26. They include a male in his 60s and a male in his 50s. This brings the countywide total to 11 positive cases.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development said today that it received 155,815 new claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending March 21. That’s a 1,546% increase over the prior week. State officials said it is the largest spike they can recall. Initial claims exceeded 46,000 in a single week after Superstorm Sandy in November 2012, and shot up to 25,385 for a week in July 2010, the low point of the last recession.

The Atlantic County Division of Public has confirmed two additional residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as of this morning, They include a male in his 60s and a male in his 50s. This brings the countywide total to 11 positive cases. These new cases indicate there may be some community spread and underscored the importance of social distancing and self-isolation for those who are sick.

An additional 736 positive test results for coronavirus in New Jersey reported Wednesday. That brings the statewide total to 4402. Officials also learned of 18 more COVID-19 related deaths in the state, bringing the tally to 62. Governor Murphy also reported the state currently has 18,433 acute care beds including 2000 beds for those requiring critical care. Over the next several weeks, the goal is to increase our capacity by 2360.

The Cape May County Department of Health reported three new cases of Covid-19: a 60-year-old female, a 54-year-old female and Pa 19-year-old female. Cape May County Health Department is currently reporting a total of nine
Covid-19 cases throughout the County. All cases are recovering at their residence with the
exception of one who is doing well at an out of County hospital.