9 Coronavirus Related Deaths Linked To Collingswood Nursing Home

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — There have been nine deaths related to new coronavirus in nursing homes in Collingswood, according to statistics released by the state Department of Health.

United Methodist Community at Collingswood has reported 41 cases of the coronavirus and nine deaths, according to the data.

In Camden County as a whole, 23 nursing homes have reported an outbreak of the coronavirus. These homes have seen 844 cases and 107 deaths.

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Those were some of the numbers revealed Thursday, weeks after the state Department of Health first released information on all nursing facilities in New Jersey who have reported at least one case of the coronavirus.

When first reported 10 days ago, 14 nursing homes reported cases in the county, with 322 cases and 51 deaths.

The listing comes after weeks of requests for the information and repeated warnings from the state to the owners and managers of long-term care facilities about their need to report that information to patients, employees and patients' families, Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Monday.

On Thursday, Camden County officials announced two days' worth of new coronavirus cases after a server failure prevented the reporting of new cases on Wednesday. There were 57 new cases reported on Thursday, and 108 new cases for Wednesday.

A total of 3,108 coronavirus cases have been reported in Camden County, with 127 deaths. Trace investigations are underway in all new cases, including the cases of two Collingswood women in their 70s and a Collingswood man in his 80s.

"We are continuing to rapidly expand testing access throughout the county and are determined to break the back of this virus once and for all, so that we can end this period of extreme social distancing," Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. said. "We do not have a clear timeframe yet regarding when our state will be able to begin to reopen, but we are seeing progress in our local doubling and growth rates. This would not be possible if Camden County residents weren't continuing to take this seriously and following the orders signed by the governor. We are incredibly thankful for the sacrifices made by all Camden County residents, and especially those made by our front line workers and first responders."

Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• New Jersey residents are expected to start receiving stimulus payments soon. Here's what you need to do beforehand. Read more: Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Payments: What You Need To Do In NJ
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of New Jersey businesses – including gun sellers – to operate in the coronavirus outbreak. What's open and closed now? Read more: What's Open, Closed? More NJ Business To Operate Amid Coronavirus
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day
• Here are four urgent tasks New Jersey wants you to do during the coronavirus outbreak, including wearing a mask. And here's why. Read more: Wear A Mask! 4 Things NJ Wants You To Do In Coronavirus Outbreak

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses.
This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know