Condition Of Camden County Coronavirus Patient Improves: Official

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — The condition of the Camden County man who tested presumptive positive for new coronavirus, and the seven people who were exposed to him are set to end their quarantines on Wednesday, county officials announced on Tuesday.

The announcement came the same day that the first fatality due to the virus in New Jersey was reported. A Bergen County man in his 60s was the state's first fatality, officials announced on Tuesday. Four more cases of the virus have also been reported, including two in Burlington County. Read more here: First NJ Coronavirus Death; Total Cases Rise To 15: Governor

“In regard to Camden County’s presumptive positive case of a Cherry Hill resident at Jefferson Hospital, I’m happy to report that the patient is doing very well, and his condition has been upgraded,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “That said, there have been a lot of questions about social contact with this patient and I’m happy to update you that the seven exposures that this patient had have been self-quarantined at this time and have been asymptomatic. In fact, all seven will complete their quarantine by tomorrow and, just to reiterate, this patient did not take mass transit and did not attend any social gatherings while he was symptomatic.”

When he was hospitalized last week, he was listed in stable condition and in isolation. Read more here: First Presumptive Case Of Coronavirus Reported In South Jersey

Four of the people who were exposed to him were employees at the Cherry Hill Urgent Care Center. Additionally, the Cherry Hill Public School District has said he is in no way connected to the school.

“I want to be clear, we are monitoring all of our local exposures and possible cases throughout the county and the risk to the public based on this presumptive positive is very low,” Cappelli said. “The Camden County Health Department continues to work with our partners in our local healthcare facilities, the state Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control. Moving forward, we will continue to tirelessly work to ensure the health and welfare of our residents and combat this virus by any means possible, which includes limiting social interactions by rescheduling special events for later dates, accelerating sanitizing and cleaning in our buildings, and ensuring that all employee travel out of the country or state has been cancelled.”

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County officials remind residents the best way to prevent the spread and contraction of coronavirus is to practice good personal hygiene:

• Wash your hands thoroughly, and often, with soap and water for 20 seconds;
• Stay home when you’re sick;
• Avoid contact with others who are sick;
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue; and
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.

The New Jersey Department of Health has partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System to open and operate a call center (1-800-222-1222) for public use regarding questions, concerns, and other information related to coronavirus spread in New Jersey. More information is also available on the state's coronavirus webpage.

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