For 3rd Time This Week, Camden County Sees Record COVID Cases

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — For the third time in a little over a week, Camden County has set a record for number of new coronavirus cases in one day, county officials said on Thursday.

There were 290 new coronavirus cases reported on Thursday in Camden County. This was more than the 261 reported on Tuesday, and the 242 reported on Nov. 5. Read more here: Camden County Sees 200 New Coronavirus Cases Twice In 3 Days

“The spread of COVID-19 is not slowing down, this is the third time we have set a new record in daily cases in the past eight days,” Camden County Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “We know much more now than we did in the spring. We can crush the curve again if we use that knowledge to fight this battle strategically. We do not need to close businesses if everyone wears a mask, avoids indoor gatherings, and social distances. If we continue to choose to ignore this guidance, then the winter will be an extremely difficult period for our community, but we can save lives if we work together.”

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As of Wednesday, 14,692 coronavirus cases and 588 confirmed deaths related to the virus have been reported in Camden County since the beginning of the pandemic. No new deaths were announced on Thursday.Trace investigations are underway in all new cases.

Officials statewide are reminding residents to wear their masks, follow the social distancing guidelines as set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and don't gather together indoors, in proximity to each other.

The CDC has updated its guidance related to masks and face coverings, now suggesting that masks protect the wearer as well as those around them. In a scientific brief on masks and controlling the spread of COVID-19, the CDC says that new evidence supports the conclusion that masks reduce the inhalation of virus-laden droplets by the wearer.

“The findings cited by the CDC could prove pivotal in the fight against this pandemic,” Cappelli said. “Wearing a mask has largely been associated with protecting others in the event that you are unknowingly transmitting the virus, but we are increasingly learning that wearing a mask also reduces your chances of inhaling droplets in the air that carry the virus. If everyone wears a mask around others, we can reduce an extraordinary amount of the spread that’s taking place.”

In the brief, the CDC concludes that universal mask policies could help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation in indoor spaces. The full updated guidance and findings can be found here.