Nearly 30 New Jersey lifeguards test positive for COVID-19

ASBURY PARK, NJ — Nearly 30 New Jersey lifeguards are in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19, officials said.

As of Sunday, 29 positive cases among the state's Long Beach Island lifeguards were reported between two boroughs: Harvey Cedars and Surf City.

In a Sunday update, Harvey Cedars' website reported that 17 lifeguards had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. It said all had attended a social gathering outside of work.

On Friday, New Jersey's Long Beach Island Health Department’s director told radio station WHYY that a dozen lifeguards in neighboring Surf City had also tested positive for COVID-19.

LBI Health Department Director Daniel J. Krupinski told the radio station that the health department first received reports of COVID-19 activity among Surf City lifeguards on July 18 and among Harvey Cedars lifeguards the following day.

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“We have reason to believe the case activity stems from common social gatherings outside of work on July 12 and 14,’’ Krupinski told Surf City’s web page.

“Surf City beaches will remain protected from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily,’’ Surf City’s web page said. “Adjustments may be made from day to day to ensure the safety of all patrons and guards.’’ 

Harvey Cedars, on its web page, said the lifeguards who have tested positive for the virus all have been taken off duty and have been quarantined “from the time it was indicated that they needed to be tested.’’

They will not be able to return to work “at the earliest and at management discretion, until cleared by the LBI Health Department,’’ the website said.

“Please be aware that when Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol lifeguards have been on duty, since the beginning of the season, they have been instructed to follow a strict protocol of social distancing, and were each staffed with a personal protection fanny pack, including ample disinfectant wipes and face coverings,’’ the website said.

“Lifeguards sat in separate chairs six feet or more apart, with their own equipment, and with a perimeter of at least six feet between the lifeguard chairs and beachgoers.’’ 

The Harvey Cedars website said its beach patrol has 73 lifeguards, “so our beaches will remain fully staffed with all safety protocols in place.’’