Gloucester County health officials announced the first positive cases of COVID-19 in Gloucester County.
Health officials said the individuals are a male and female Glassboro residents who have a history of international travel. Male, 59, is currently hospitalized at Inspira Medical Center-Mullica Hill and improving. Female, 57, is at home in isolation and continues to be asymptomatic.
The Gloucester County Department of Health and Human Services is working with the New Jersey Department of Health to conduct a full assessment that includes identifying the contacts these individuals had.
In addition to the New Jersey Department of Health, the Gloucester County Department of Health and Human Services has been working closely with the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management to prepare for and respond to COVID-19.
This includes online presentations and workshops for county first responders, healthcare providers, schools, municipal administrators and other key frontline staff. At this time, the overall threat of COVID-19 to Gloucester County residents remains low.
“Everyone can help prevent the spread of Covid-19 by practicing good hand, surface, spacing, and respiratory hygiene, and staying home when feeling ill,” 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.”
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.
“While we know that any case of COVID-19 presents a cause for concern for our residents, 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,” said Gloucester County Health Officer Annmarie Ruiz.
“Our Health Department and the Emergency Response Office has been planning and preparing for the past several weeks for the possibility of a case of COVID-19 in Gloucester County. Residents can rest assured that we are acting swiftly to protect the health of our community,” added Ruiz.
Please continue to check the CDC at www.cdc.gov and New Jersey Department of Health www.nj.gov/health/ website for updates.
The Gloucester County Department of Health can be reached at (856) 218-4101 or by visiting www.gloucestercountynj.gov.
