Gerd Altmann/Pixabay

Atlantic County COVID-19 cases surpassed 1,000 today with the confirmation of 63 new positives found among 40 females, ages 22 months-97 years, and 23 males, ages 18-73, bringing the countywide total to 1,023 as of Friday, May 1.

County public health officials also reported the deaths of a 44-year-old Pleasantville man and a 66-year-old Egg Harbor Township man, both of whom had underlying health conditions that increased their risk of complications from the coronavirus.

COVID-19 has now claimed the lives of 44 county residents.

Fourteen of today’s new cases were identified in Northfield, 12 in Pleasantville, nine in Atlantic City, seven in Hamilton Township and six in Galloway. Egg Harbor Township had three new positives while Absecon, Brigantine, Hammonton and Somers Point each had two. One new case was confirmed in Buena Borough, Egg Harbor City, Linwood and Mullica Township.

Atlantic County has tested nearly 700 residents to date with a 27.1% rate of positivity among those tested. The statewide rate of positivity has been slowly decreasing but remains more than 40%.

A total of 198 Atlantic County residents have been cleared as recovered.

Atlantic County’s drive-thru testing will resume on Monday, May 4, but is limited to those who had appointments for testing on April 30, which was postponed due to high winds. All April 30 appointments will be honored at the same time on Monday without having to reschedule or confirm.

Testing for the general public will be available by appointment for symptomatic county residents with a doctor’s prescription, proof of residency and appointment confirmation. Appointments are available 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day and can be made online at www.aclink.org. All testing is conducted behind the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing.

Those who are unable to keep their appointments are asked to cancel so that others will have an opportunity to be tested.

Categories: Downbeach

Nanette LoBiondo Galloway

Award winning journalist covering news, events and people of Atlantic County for more than 20 years.