5-month-old Among 39 New COVID-19 Cases in Atlantic County

Atlantic County health officials announced a 5-month-old boy was among 39 new COVID-19 cases in the county Thursday afternoon.

One more death was also reported. Authorities say the latest person to die from COVID-19 was an 84-year-old woman from Ventnor with pre-existing medical conditions.

The 39 new positives were among 20 men (ages 5 months to 83 years) and 19 women (ages 23 to 93).

Today's positive cases per town/township:
Atlantic City - 10
Hammonton - 7
Pleasantville - 6
Egg Harbor Township - 4
Galloway Township - 3
Absecon, Egg Harbor City - 2
Brigantine, Northfield, Somers Point, Ventnor City - 1 each

Onen case was confirmed but the location has not yet been determined.

As of Thursday's update, 1,931 positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Atlantic County with 128 deaths. A total of 648 residents have now been cleared as recovered.

Just as Atlantic County approaches the 2,000-case mark, County Executive Dennis Levinson and Freeholder Chairman Frank Formica sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy earlier this week that urged him to reopen non-essential businesses by Memorial Day Weekend. The letter said,

While this pandemic has taken a huge toll on business, the small businesses have felt it most. They have been prohibited from opening to sell many of the same goods as Walmart, Target, Home Depot and others that have been deemed essential and remain open, and without curbside service restrictions. It has never been more difficult for them to compete with the national chains and big box stores than it is now with their doors shut and their curbs empty. We urge you to provide them the same opportunities by reopening retail businesses in time for the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff to the summer season. Their futures may depend on these next few months. Without the ability to capitalize on Memorial Day business, their already uphill battle becomes far more daunting.

Meanwhile, Atlantic County will continue to provide COVID-19 testing next week; the dates will be announced shortly. Residents can visit the county website to schedule appointments as of Friday.

Across our region, Cumberland County now stands at 1,679 positive cases and 53 deaths, Cape May County reports 506 cases and 41 deaths, and Salem County reports 465 cases with 20 deaths.