LAKEWOOD - As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached 84 in the township on Tuesday, police issued a summons for another gathering of people that violated the statewide restrictions put in place to social distance.

“I can confirm that we did respond to a Newport home in response to a gathering taking place a short time ago,” said Lakewood police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith, a department spokesman, on Tuesday evening. “I have not had an opportunity to review the call for specific details but the responding officer did issue a criminal complaint and the event is no longer in operation.”

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Last week, Lakewood police were forced to shut down two weddings that violated the statewide restrictions.

The gatherings were held despite Gov. Phil Murphy's executive order mandating social distancing, including a ban on any gatherings of more than 50 people. Over the weekend, Murphy imposed even tighter rules to keep the pandemic from spreading.

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On Tuesday night, Lakewood had 42 percent of all coronavirus cases in Ocean County. There were a total of 200 throughout the more than 915 square mile county, which has a total population of about 597,943.

Lakewood is the most populated municipality in Ocean County, with more than 100,000 people living there.

Erik Larsen: 732-682-9359 or elarsen@gannettnj.com