Camden County Extends State Of Emergency Due To Coronavirus

This article originally appeared on the Haddonfield-Haddon Township Patch

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Camden County has extended its State of Emergency declaration as the total number of cases countywide increased to 138, officials announced on Saturday.

On Saturday, the number of total coronavirus cases across the state topped 11,000 cases and 140 people have died of the virus. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: NJ Coronavirus Cases Top 11K, 32 More Deaths

Trace investigations are underway in the following new Camden County cases:

• A Merchantville woman in her 60s;

• A Camden woman in her 40s;

• A Gloucester Township man in his 80s;

• A Winslow Township woman in her 60s;

• A Gloucester Township man in his 30s;

• A Barrington woman in her 30s;

• A Berlin man in his 60s;

• A Camden woman in her 30s;

• A Winslow Township woman in her 40s;

• A Cherry Hill woman in her 50s;

• A Runnemede woman in her 20s;

• A Gloucester Township man in his 40s;

• A Cherry Hill woman in her 60s;

• A Winslow Township man in his 40s;

• A Winslow Township woman in her 40s;

• A Gloucester Township woman in her 40s;

• A Bellmawr Borough man in his 40s;

• A Voorhees Township woman in her 20s;

• A Cherry Hill man in his 20s;

• A Cherry Hill man in his 60s; and

• A Gloucester Township woman in her 30s.

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

On March 17, a State of Emergency was declared for Camden County due to the coronavirus outbreak. As a result of the declaration, all nonessential employees and personnel county-wide were asked to work from home. This declaration was amended to extend the order indefinitely keeping county offices closed until a safe end date has been determined by the Camden County Health Department.

Camden County and its agencies will continue to keep emergency measures in place to reduce governmental operations to only essential functions, officials said. All essential employees, such as law enforcement, corrections, public safety, and others as dictated will report to work as usual. Non-essential employees will not report to work but will remain on call to work remotely as needed.

Story continues

“Staying at home and social distancing are our best weapons against the virus in the historic period of time,” Freeholder Jonathan Young said. “This was not an easy decision to reach, however, our priority is to make judicious decisions that will benefit us all, flatten the curve, and reduce the spread of this virus. We will be constantly reevaluating our operations to ensure that we can provide these services while continuing to protect our employees and our residents.”

Camden County will continue to provide core services, while tapering down operations elsewhere to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

As previously announced, all branches of the Camden County Library System are closed. Online resources and streaming services will be provided free to all residents during this time. For more information, visit camdencountylibrary.org/.

Both campuses, Pennsauken and Gloucester, of the Camden County Technical Schools will close and implement remote learning until at least April 20. Camden County College will also transition to virtual learning following its extended spring break on March 29.

At this time, all Camden County Sheriff sales have been halted, and all evictions have been stopped. The Camden County Parks Department has also suspended all park permitting and playgrounds will remain closed.

The Camden County Pollution Control Financing Authority (PCFA), Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA), and Improvement Authority (CCIA), will close and reduce staff to essential personnel only.

As part of the emergency declaration, the Freeholder Board is asking all nonessential businesses in the county to consider voluntarily closing or modifying operations to comply with CDC social distancing recommendations.

“We acknowledge that this request is a tough pill to swallow, and we absolutely do not take that reality lightly, however sacrifices made today are necessary if we are to save lives tomorrow,” Young said. “The science is clear — the more we restrict social interaction, the slower the spread of infection becomes, and the fewer lives ultimately lost. This has become a life or death situation and the time to act is now.”

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,” 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.