More than two dozen lifeguards from two different Jersey Shore towns have tested positive for the coronavirus following social gatherings.
Officials say the lifeguards are from the Long Beach Island towns Harvey Cedars and Surf City.
LBI health officials alerted the towns to the cluster of new cases on Thursday. The lifeguards are being quarantined until they are cleared by doctors to return to work.
The lifeguards had apparently attended two social gatherings earlier this month.
Harvey Cedars officials said 17 lifeguards from the township had attended a party in Surf City. Another 12 lifeguards from Surf City had also tested positive.
Officials from Harvey Cedars their beaches have enough staff to remain open "fully staffed with all safety protocols in place."
Surf City said its beaches will remain staffed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with potential adjustments "day to day to ensure the safety of all patrons and guards."
As of Sunday, there were 505 new confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey, the largest single-day increase since June 10, but still lower than the peak of the pandemic in the Garden State.
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