New Case Of West Depford Coronavirus; County Gets PPE Donation

WEST DEPTFORD, NJ — A 49-year-old West Deptford woman is among 30 additional cases of positive new coronavirus cases that were reported in Gloucester County on Wednesday.

County officials also announced donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), clarified what is an essential business and reminded residents to fill out the Census.

The total number of cases countywide is now 150, according to Gloucester County officials. There have also been two deaths. As of Wednesday morning, Gloucester County has conducted 1,028 tests, officials said. Of those tests 855 are negatives, 150 are positives and 23 are still pending, according to officials.

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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Last week, the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management received donations from Delaware River and Bay Authority and Wedgewood Pharmacy. Together, the donations surpassed 500 masks, 1,500 pairs of gloves, 100 gowns and other additional PPE supplies, according to officials.

“The demand for PPE is affecting everyone globally, donations like this keep our medical personnel safe,” Freeholder Heather Simmons, liaison to the Gloucester County Department of Economic Development, said. “The support of small businesses and our large industry partners across the county, even during these difficult times, has shown how strong we are as a community.”

The Office of Emergency Management is still accepting donations of PPE to donate to local healthcare providers and emergency responders. Officials are asking for the following:

• N95 Masks;
• Surgical Masks;
• Isolation gowns;
• Eye protection;
• Face shields;
• Nitrile gloves;
• Contractor trash bags;
• Disinfecting wipes; and
• Hand sanitizer.

Emergency Management is asking residents, local and regional businesses and non-health care industries (including construction, dental, veterinary, manufacturing, breweries, mining, fisheries etc.) to donate their PPE. Donations must be unused and original packaging is preferred, but not required.

“This is an unprecedented and unpredictable crisis, and the support we’ve seen so far has been immeasurable,” Freeholder Dan Christy, liaison to the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management, said. “Protecting and supporting the needs of our first responders and health care workers is critical to safeguarding the health of our community during this crisis.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation is asked to drop off their unused donations to the Office of Emergency Management at 1200 North Delsea Drive, Clayton 08312. Anyone who has any questions can call Emergency Management at 856-307-7100.

Officials went on to clarify the difference between an essential business and a non-essential business, saying the state has issued guidelines on what businesses are allowed to continue to operate during this time. All of these businesses will continue to operate while following social distancing and taking extra sanitation precautions.

“If your business is not a retail business, you may continue to operate,” Damminger said. “The guidelines have been consistent, but we’re still receiving a lot of questions and confusion on what is and what isn’t an essential business. We’re always here to help and we hope this list will provide more clarity on what should be open to our residents.”

Essential businesses that may remain open:

• Grocery stores and any stores that sells food;
• Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries;
• Medical supply stores;·
• Gas stations;
• Convenience stores;
• Stores in healthcare facilities;
• Hardware and home improvement stores;
• Banks;
• Laundromats/dry-cleaning services;·
• Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five;
• Pet stores, but not pet grooming;
• Liquor stores;
• Auto mechanics;
• Self-serve car washes;·
• Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, to deliver online purchases directly to customers, or to arrange for curbside pickup;
• Printing and office supply shops;·
• Mail and delivery stores;
• Mobile phone retail and repair shops;
• Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair;
• Livestock feed stores;
• Nurseries and garden centers;
• Farming equipment stores;
• Realtors, but only to show houses 1-on-1 (open houses are prohibited);
• Firearms retailers, by appointment only and during limited hours;
• Bars and restaurants for drive-through, delivery, and takeout only;·
• Microbreweries or brewpubs for home delivery only; and
• Child care centers that certified by March 27 that they would only serve children of essential workers by April 1.

Per state guidelines, manufacturing, industrial, logistics, ports, construction, shipping, food production, food delivery and other commercial operations may continue to operate, but they should limit staff on site to the minimal number needed for essential operations.

Anyone with questions should visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov or call the Gloucester County Department of Economic Development at 856-384-6963.

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

“We realize the Census is not at the top of everyone’s mind due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, however, ensuring a complete count in the census is critically important for Gloucester County,” Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said.

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<http://www.2020census.gov>.

“People across America are keeping their families and communities safe and healthy by staying home, or serving the public by providing essential services. Responding to the census yourself either online, by phone, or through the mail is another way to do your part and help keep your community strong,” Simmons, who is also liaison to Gloucester County’s Planning Division, said.

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.

“As we all practice social distancing it’s easy to feel like we’re isolated,” Damminger said. “I want to urge all of our residents to contact a friend, family member or neighbor. Check in on them, see how they’re doing and remind them to fill out the census.”

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