Historic Levels Of Help In Camden County Amid Pandemic: Officials

Anthony Bellano
·3 min read

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Camden County has provided more resources to individual communities during the coronavirus pandemic than it has at any other point in the county’s 176-year history, according to officials.

“Mustering the testing, partnerships, resources and immediate response we have had during this public health crisis makes me proud to serve our community with my partners,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “From getting masks into vulnerable neighborhoods, to ensuring testing options existed for residents, I could not be prouder of the work we’ve done to address this pandemic. Nevertheless, we have miles to go on this journey, and we cannot truly talk about accomplishments without keeping the 538 residents who have succumbed to this hideous disease in our thoughts and prayers.”

About 7,000 Camden County residents, first responders and front line workers were tested for the coronavirus at county-testing facilities before the private sector expanding testing, according to officials. Those private testing sites were set up in conjunction with Cooper University Health Care, Virtua Health and Jefferson Health in New Jersey.

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In addition:

  • Both the Camden County Health Department and Camden County Police Department have given out more than 20,000 masks to residents.

  • The county strategically placed portable washing stations outdoors to provide options for good hand hygiene for those who lack access.

  • More than 250,000 home-delivered meals have been distributed since the pandemic began.

  • Ten wholesale food distributions have been executed since the start of the pandemic feeding more than 2,750 families throughout the county.

  • With a lack of cooling centers, over 300 fans and more than 100 air conditioners have been distributed to seniors and disabled residents.

  • More than 2,000 hand sanitizer units have been given out to residents.

  • More than 200,000 pieces of personal protective equipment has been issued to local first responders.

  • More than 500,000 units of personal protective equipment has been provided to the county’s 56 long-term care facilities and assisted living centers.

  • The county Department of Public Safety has purchased and provided UV decontamination devices to strategic locations throughout the county to ensure critical vehicles and facilities are clean.

  • $20 million in CARES Act funding is being dedicated and provided to small businesses throughout the county.

  • $3.2 million in CARES Act funding has been allocated to municipalities that applied for it.

  • Developing and implementing a robust contact tracing operation of more than 60 employees who are working in the county Health Department to identify COVID contacts and limit community spread.

  • The county is allocating $28.7 million of CARES Act funding to our three major healthcare providers.

  • Continued virtual operation of the county library system for kids, families and seniors.

  • Building strong operational partnerships with Cooper University Health Care, Virtua Health and Jefferson Health in New Jersey.

  • Providing tools, educational materials and masks to Cathedral Kitchen in Camden City.

“Our team has continued, week after week, to do everything we can to assist residents, businesses and families during the crisis. Even as the spread of the coronavirus has decreased, the risk of food insecurity expanded as the economic fallout worsens. We know jobless claims continue to mount which is why our employees are stepping up in unprecedented ways,” Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young said. “Our entire community owes a debt of gratitude to the incredible men and women at the Department of Health, Parks, Buildings and Ops, and all the other county employees who have stepped up and eased the incredible burden of the pandemic. The landscape has improved, but we still have a long way to go until we have a vaccine.”

The Division of Senior and Disabled Services is continuing to deliver meals to new program participants. If you or a senior you know needs meal assistance, call 856-374-MEAL or 856-858-3220 to make arrangements.

See related: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

This article originally appeared on the Gloucester Township Patch