First Point Pleasant Boro Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

POINT PLEASANT BORO – A Point Pleasant Boro resident tested positive for the new coronavirus, officials announced on Wednesday. Health

Mayor Robert A. Sabosik said a COVID-19 case is in the borough and, in an effort to alert the community as soon as possible, "we are relaying this information now."

The only information available is that it involves a man in his 40s and this individual voluntarily had himself tested when he felt ill, the mayor said. He is following isolation protocols with mild symptoms of the virus.

The man was initially falsely identified as a resident of Point Pleasant Beach, the mayor said. Four new cases were identified in Ocean County on Wednesday. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra said he took the extra step of asking clearly that they did not confuse Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Boro. The county Board of Health informed him, he said, "that they had made a drastic mistake and that the positive case is within the borders of Point Pleasant Boro instead. They will be issuing their own statement shortly."

"I believe strongly that this should be a learning experience for the state of New Jersey and I am calling on the governor and attorney general to change their procedures immediately," he said. "It is absolutely ridiculous that such a mistake like this could be made, especially when it could have easily been avoided with additional information provided."

Kanitra also sent his "absolute best to our friends in Point Pleasant Boro. With Mayor Sabosik at the helm and an incredible Town Council behind him, I know they will navigate it strongly and head on."

The Ocean County Department of Health is also in the process of conducting a thorough contact tracing effort. Any individuals who could have possibly been exposed are being contacted by the county and investigated following proper protocols.

"I have stated in previous announcements that our sense of community will get us through this difficult time," Sabosik said. "Announcements like this are not meant to incite hysteria, but instead are meant to inform and educate on the severity of today’s state of affairs."

The mayor said it's not a time to panic, "but it is a time to be concerned, and for all of us to do our part by making smart decisions about hygiene and social distancing."

"It is now as important as ever to strictly follow social distancing practices and to quickly contact your doctor if you are exhibiting any combination of symptoms that the CDC has laid out on their website, www.cdc.gov," he said.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• The second person in New Jersey to die because of the illness was announced on Saturday, March 14. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
• On Monday, March 16, state officials announced that a third person in New Jersey died because of the virus. Read more: 3rd Death In New Jersey Due To Coronavirus
• Murphy announced that he planned to shut down all schools on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, to mitigate public exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's closing its offices for two weeks. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• The New Jersey Department of Corrections is temporarily suspending visits during the outbreak. Read more: NJDOC Suspends Visitations To State Prisons and Halfway Houses
• The state also said it will no longer label the positive tests as "presumptive positive" cases. They are now considered "positive" and "confirmed."
• State Police said they're also looking to locate two FEMA assistance centers – otherwise known as "pods" – where people can be tested. One will be at Bergen Community College in Paramus and the other will be located at the PNC Arts Center on the Garden State Parkway in Holmdel. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing In Works For NJ
• Murphy said he's also mobilizing the National Guard to assist, providing services to help bridge "capability gaps," augment the police and local personnel in transportation and traffic control and support facilities such as hospitals that have hit capacity or run into medical and technology problems.

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.