Where Camden County Stands 1 Year After 1st Coronavirus Case

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — It’s been one year since the first coronavirus case was identified in Camden County, and since then, the virus continues to have an impact locally (see town-by-town updates).

Camden County reported a 10-month total of 39,857 cases on Friday, an increase of 762 over the previous week. There were also 21 new fatalities reported this week, increasing the total number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in Camden County to 1,079.

Eleven of those new deaths were reported on Friday. The following information was released about those deaths:

• A Lawnside woman in her 70s;
• A Chesilhurst woman in her 80s;
• A Gloucester Township woman in her 70s;
• A Clementon man in his 60s;
• A Pennsauken man in his 70s;
• A Haddonfield man in his 80s;
• A Cherry Hill man in his 40s;
• A Runnemede man in his 90s;
• A Gloucester Township woman in her 90s;
• A Gloucester Township man in his 60s; and
• A Bellmawr man in his 80s.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of 11 additional residents of Camden County due to COVID-19, and we are keeping the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers,” Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “(Saturday) marks the one-year anniversary of the first discovered case of COVID-19 in Camden County. In the 12 months since, this virus has caused unfathomable economic and personal devastation. We will never forget the men and women whose lives were lost because of this terrible disease. But, in that time we have also learned how to protect ourselves and minimize the virus’ spread. As we reflect on this unfortunate milestone, I urge everyone to continue fighting to protect others by wearing a mask, social distancing, and getting your vaccine once you’re eligible.”

The disease’s impact is reflected in the state Department of Health's most recent "COVID-19 Activity Level Report," which is issued weekly. The most recent report, released Thursday, says Camden County is in the yellow zone. “Yellow” means the county has a rate of 1 to 10 cases per 100,000 people.

One step above yellow is the orange zone, which means the county has a rate 1 to 10 cases per 100,000 people.

If the overall activity is at an "orange" level, state officials say, school districts in those counties would have to take more serious steps — such as quarantining or even shutting down schools — if a child shows the symptoms of COVID-19.

"When it is high risk, there are some recommendations that we make together with local school boards," said Edward Lifshitz, medical director for the state Department of Health.
Indeed, a number of school districts still provide remote instruction even as the number of new daily cases has dropped in recent weeks.

Camden County officials provided the following breakdown of cases by town:

• Audubon 534
• Audubon Park 44
• Barrington 405
• Bellmawr 899
• Berlin Boro 512
• Berlin Twp. 327
• Brooklawn 145
• Camden 8,355
• Cherry Hill 4,805
• Chesilhurst 129
• Clementon 360
• Collingswood 772
• Gibbsboro 111
• Gloucester City 824
• Gloucester Twp. 4,764
• Haddon Heights 337
• Haddon Twp. 769
• Haddonfield 510
• Hi-Nella 52
• Laurel Springs 128
• Lawnside 298
• Lindenwold 1,749
• Magnolia 234
• Merchantville 291
• Mount Ephraim 233
• Oaklyn 202
• Pennsauken 3,789
• Pine Hill 768
• Pine Valley 0
• Runnemede 571
• Somerdale 387
• Stratford 442
• Tavistock 0
• Voorhees Twp. 2,155
• Waterford Twp. 655
• Winslow Twp. 2,988
• Woodlynne 299
• Unknown: 14