9 More Coronavirus Cases Reported In Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Nine Gloucester Township residents are among 59 new positive cases of new coronavirus that were reported in Camden County on Wednesday. Two deaths were also reported.

A Camden man in his 80s and a Winslow Township man in his 60s have died after testing positive for new coronavirus, according to officials. No further information was available on the deaths, which raised the coronavirus-related death total in Camden County to six, including a Gloucester Township man.

“In the fight against the novel coronavirus, the days become longer and tougher as we continue to see fatalities and new positive cases. It saddens me to report the county had two more fatalities today. The devastating impact this insidious virus is having on our community is unprecedented and historic. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have been met by the tragic consequences of this pandemic, and we will not forget them as we double our efforts to flatten the curve,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. said. “We need everyone to continue to take this threat seriously, even as these long weeks at home begin to take their toll. If we all do our part, we will emerge from this stronger and more united than ever.”

The total number of coronavirus cases in Camden County is now 301. The total number of cases in Gloucester Township has reached 47.

As of Wednesday, there were more than 22,000 cases of coronavirus reported statewide, and 355 total deaths related to the disease. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: Total NJ Coronavirus Cases Top 22K, 91 More Deaths

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Trace investigations are underway in all the new cases, including the nine following Gloucester Township residents:

• A man in his 20s;
• A man in his 40s;
• A teenage boy;
• A man in his 80s;
• A man in his 50s;
• A woman in her 40s;
• A man in his 50s;
• A woman in her 30s; and
• A man in his 80s.

Also on Wednesday, Camden County opened its drive-through testing site at Cooper's Poynt Park, 801 Delaware Avenue in Camden City. The site will be open Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. through April 15. Read more here: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Site Coming To Camden County

In its announcement one day earlier, officials said the site would only be for county residents who have an appointment and are showing symptoms and meet other criteria, and who have received a referral for testing from a medical provider (at Cooper, Virtua, CamCare, or other provider).

However, just before the opening on Wednesday, they relaxed the requirements, saying no one would be turned away from their testing site, nj.com reports.

Finally, Camden County officials also reminded residents to fill out the 2020 Census.

“Americans across the country are getting a crash course on the importance of this count, as census data is used to determine the population of cities and towns in coronavirus models, to decide the amount of resources our hospitals will receive, and it dictates the funding given to schools that have had to rapidly adapt to this new reality,” Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said. “The census is safe, it’s easy, and it is extremely important. We need to make sure everyone in our community is counted so that we get the appropriate level of resources to respond to challenges like the one we are facing today.”

Making sure every resident is counted helps to ensure federal funding needed to maintain roads, provide social services, support health related programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP and community health centers, support local business and improve our quality of life, officials said.

Residents are encouraged to fill out the Census response forms online at www.2020census.gov.
Having an accurate count of everyone, both citizens and non-citizens, people who are housed and unhoused, people who can vote and people who cannot, will shape the future communities, officials said.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• 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
• 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
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• 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
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was moved from April 15 to July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted on Friday, March 20. Read more: Federal Tax Day Postponed To July 15 Amid 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