Officials on Long Beach Island say lifeguards in Harvey Cedars and Surf City have tested positive for COVID-19 - 18 lifeguards in Harvey Cedars and 17 in Surf City.

“Our beaches are fully opened,” says Harvey Cedars Mayor Jonathan Oldham. “All of our guards are there.”

According to the local LBI health department, about half are experiencing mild symptoms, while the rest are asymptomatic. No hospitalizations have been reported in connection with the outbreak. Officials say all are being quarantined.

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"Very quickly you can get in a situation where you become compromised and you just don’t realize it the minute you let your guard down is the minute you can come in contact with someone who is asymptomatic and all of a sudden you contract the virus," says Mayor Oldham.

The local health department traced back the cases to two gatherings outside of work on July 12 and 14. The mayor says none of the 35 positive lifeguards live in town, and safety precautions remain in place for guards on duty.

“If you are in a setting inside where the germs are more likely to stay and not move away somewhere, you're going to be more inclined to have a situation where you can contract the virus,” says Mayor Oldham.