Burlington County Couple Presumptive Positive For Coronavirus

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The first two presumptive positive cases of new coronavirus were reported in Burlington County on Tuesday, officials said.

A married couple who had recently traveled to Italy tested presumptive positive, according to Burlington County Health Officer Herb Conaway. They are currently quarantined in their home.

Conaway didn't identify which town the couple is from, but said the husband is 62 and his wife is 60.

"They were in a group situation where one person tested positive. After they started to get symptoms, they immediately sought medical attention," said Conaway, who is also an Assemblyman representing Burlington County. "They called ahead to the emergency room and said they had symptoms of coronavirus. The hospital was ready for them, and everyone was properly protected."

It was determined the couple can recover at home. They initially contacted the hospital on March 4, and were informed of the presumptive positive lab results on Tuesday. They are awaiting confirmatory results from the Centers for Disease Control. Conaway didn't say which medical facility treated them.

The county health department is tracing all the contacts the couple has had in order to limit its spread. Anyone who is identified will be contacted and subsequently monitored, Conaway said.

The two Burlington County cases were among four new cases identified by State Health Commissioner Judy Persichelli during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. The other two cases were in Bergen County. A total of 31 people are under investigation for the virus and will be tested, officials said. Read more here: First NJ Coronavirus Death; Total Cases Rise To 15: Governor

“Our first priority should be limiting the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak in Burlington and Ocean Counties by supporting our frontline public health officials and our most at risk and vulnerable populations,” Rep. Andy Kim, D-Burlington and Ocean, said in a statement. “I will continue to work with, and listen to guidance from our health care leaders, and ensure we do everything to contain this situation and mitigate the impact it is, and will continue to have, on our community.”

It is the second and third cases of the virus reported in the region in the last week. Read more here: First Presumptive Case Of Coronavirus Reported In South Jersey

Earlier in the day, Kim canceled a town hall meeting he had scheduled for Friday in Seaside Park and replaced it with a tele-town hall, in response to the virus.

“The health and safety of our neighbors across Ocean and Burlington Counties is the most important thing. I’ve chosen to follow guidance by our health care professionals and move our town hall to a format that doesn’t put people at risk,” Kim said. “Our focus on this town hall will be the Coronavirus outbreak. Every day, my office is getting questions on how best to prepare and what this could mean for New Jersey. I look forward to continuing that conversation on our tele-town hall to make sure everyone has the information they need to stay safe.”

Information about participating in the tele-town hall will be available on the district office’s website. The congressman has also postponed his campaign kickoff rally that was to be held in Marlton on Saturday, saying his re-election campaign will launch "when the time is right."

Previously, county officials confirmed that 20 residents had been self-quarantined due to possible exposure to the virus. Five people remained quarantined as of Friday. All of them had either recently been to China or were on a cruise. Read more here: 20 Burlington County Residents Possibly Exposed To Coronavirus

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In the last few weeks, Kim said he and his office have been communicating with leaders from major hospital systems and health departments across Ocean and Burlington counties to hear their concerns about the Coronavirus, and to ensure they have the resources and support they need. Earlier this month, Kim voted to pass emergency funding to help respond to the outbreak.

The emergency supplemental funding package provides $8.3 billion in funding to increase preparedness for communities to combat the Coronavirus outbreak. It includes:

• More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
• $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
• Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
• $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
• $1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home; and
• Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency.

County officials reminded residents to practice good respiratory hygiene, much as they should during flu season. These include:

• Washing your hands often, using hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home from school or work if sick (must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours)
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet from people with respiratory symptoms
• Clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, faucets and cellphones

Residents over the age of 60, especially those with existing medical conditions that include heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, should reconsider going to large gatherings such as worship services, movies, malls, sporting events, etc. and using mass transportation

Residents should follow the CDC’s travel recommendations regarding travel to countries with sustained transmission. Current travel recommendations can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

Residents should defer cruise ship travel at this time.

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