Third Positive Coronavirus Case Identified In Gloucester County

MULLICA HILL, NJ — A 42-year-old Mullica Hill woman is the third Gloucester County resident to test positive for new coronavirus, officials announced on Thursday.

She has no travel history and is self-isolating at home, according to Gloucester County officials. Her condition is improving. Officials have begun a contact tracing investigation.

As of Thursday, there are 742 positive cases of coronavirus, including nine deaths, in New Jersey. Read more here: Gov. Phil Murphy: 4 More NJ Coronavirus Deaths, 318 New Cases

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

Earlier this week, the first two cases were identified in a pair of Glassboro residents who work in the Inspira Health System. Read more here: First 2 Positive Coronavirus Cases Reported In Gloucester County

State officials were set to meet later Thursday with representatives from Inspira about re-opening a hospital in Woodbury. The current professional occupants of the offices must be moved out, and mental health services must be relocated, New Jersey Health Officer Judith Persichelli said during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Other upgrades must be done to the building, which officials are hoping to reopen as a hospital in about 3-4 weeks. See related: Camden Area Hospitals Lack Beds For Coronavirus Surge: Report

The Gloucester County Health Department has been working with the New Jersey Department of Health and the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management to help prepare for and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

This includes online presentations and workshops for county first responders, healthcare providers, schools, municipal administrators, and other key front line staff. At this time, the overall threat of coronavirus to Gloucester County residents remains low, officials said.

“Gloucester County residents can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing good hand, surface, spacing and respiratory hygiene, and staying home when feeling ill. We’re also encouraging all residents to practice aggressive social distancing,” Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said. “Taking these precautions cares for the whole community, especially those most vulnerable. Employers can especially play an important role by encouraging workers to stay home if ill, without penalty.”

County officials are also working providing coronavirus information to the deaf and hard of hearing.

The New Jersey and Gloucester County Division of Human & Disability Services have provided videos on how to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic and regular updates on the outbreak with need to know information for the deaf and hard of hearing community. There is also a graphic on how to relay symptoms of the virus.

“It’s important now more than ever to have empathy for every member of our community and help where we can,” Gloucester County Freeholder Jim Jefferson, liaison to Division of Human & Disability Services, said. “The Gloucester County Division of Human and Disability Services office is currently restricting access to the public, but we are always available to help our residents via telephone or e-mail.”

The Gloucester County Division of Human and Disability Services can be reached at 856-384-6842 or by contacting Lisa Cerny, Director, at lcerny@co.gloucester.nj.us.

Gloucester County EMS (GCEMS) response vehicles (ambulance, Quick Response Vehicle and Supervisory vehicle) continue to be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) consistent with CDC recommendations and New Jersey Department of Health and Office of Emergency Medical Service regulation.

“All staff members have immediate access to this PPE should we encounter a patient with symptoms consistent with COVID-19,” Damminger said.

Squads are prepared for the possibility of being exposed to new coronavirus and have made the necessary contingency plans to update their staffing plan and unit deployment as needed in response to staffing ability, 911 call volume and hospital turnaround times.

“A number of GCEMS staff members have cancelled travel plans and provided additional availability for shift assignments if needed,” Damminger said.

The Gloucester County Emergency Response Center has updated the 911 call triage process to look for symptoms consistent with coronavirus (fever, cough and respiratory distress – flu like symptoms).

“If symptoms are consistent, all responding agencies will be notified by dispatch. Responding GCEMS crews then don the appropriate level of PPE consistent with CDC recommendations prior to making patient contact with the patient,” Gloucester County Freeholder Dan Christy, liaison to Emergency Response, said.

Officials said that when EMS encounters a patient with coronavirus, only one provider should make physical contact with the patient until the appropriate level of care and PPE are determined. All other responders will remain a distance of 6 feet or greater from the patient as consistent with aggressive social distancing practices.

“Once the symptoms determined to be consistent with COVID-19, GCEMS notifies the receiving emergency department prior to the departure for specific instructions on patient transfer,” Christy said.

It is not recommended that healthy people wear masks. A mask should only be worn if a healthcare professional recommends it. The Gloucester County Department of Health and Human Services will keep the public informed if this recommendation changes.

"We want to emphasize the need to follow personal hygiene guidelines vigilantly, this should not be a cause for panic and the risk to the general public remains low," Gloucester County Health Officer Annmarie Ruiz said. “It is not recommended at this time that well individuals be tested. Residents can rest assured that the Gloucester County Health Department and Emergency Response Office are acting swiftly to protect the health of our community.”

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