Nursing Home Coronavirus Deaths Continue To Rise In Camden County

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — As of Friday evening, 78 percent of all new coronavirus-related deaths in Camden County come from the county’s 56 long-term care facilities.

According to the Camden County Department of Health, 455 of the 2,470 cases were confirmed in the county’s 56 long-term care facilities. Seventy-six of the county’s 98 deaths, or 78 percent, have been reported from these facilities.

“The Camden County Health Department has been working day and night combating the novel coronavirus through several different initiatives,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. said. “Last week the department took over random inspections of our 56 long-term care facilities (LTCs) from the state of New Jersey in order to audit and inspect operations that have at least 2 confirmed cases of COVID-19. At this juncture we have completed several inspections and the county Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has also delivered more than 100,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to these facilities. Everything from gowns, gloves, face masks, respirator and surgical masks to hand sanitizers have been dropped off.”

Read more here: Camden County Officials ‘Horrified’ By Nursing Home Deaths

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

On Thursday, county officials said they coordinated a conference call with the nursing home providers so they could discuss their needs and procedures. Following the call, the Camden County Freeholder Board offered the consolidated group co-op pricing for testing for residents and staff of these institutions, officials said.

They also shared information about what works at the Camden County Jail, Juvenile Detention and 911 Dispatch Center, and provided access to the Office of Emergency Management for additional orders of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Another challenge these operations are facing based on our initial inspections is staffing,” Cappelli said. “The county will be investigating the opportunity to close the gap through our one-stop and work force investment board.”

The New Jersey Department of Health has also commissioned Cooper University Healthcare to test all patients and staff within South Jersey long term facilities. County officials said at least three facilities in Camden County will be among the first recipients of this testing.

“We are horrified by the loss of life that has occurred in these institutions and will be working with them to confront the spread of the virus head on,” Cappelli said. “What we are finding are many of these facilities across the board were severely underprepared for the outbreak and in many ways have suffered like so many other segments of the health care system. It’s clear through our initial audits these facilities have a lack of testing, or no testing at all, a shortage of PPEs and staffing shortfalls across the board.”

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