1 Year Later, Camden County Reflects On First Coronavirus Death

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Tuesday marked one year since a Barrington woman in her 80s became the first person in Camden County to die of the coronavirus. Since then, there have been 1,115 total deaths, and 41,936 cases overall in Camden County, according to numbers provided by the county department of health on Tuesday.

This included 118 new cases, and two new deaths announced on Tuesday. Two women in their 70s, one from Collingswood and one from Lindenwold, both died after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to officials. Trace investigations are underway in all new cases.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of two additional members of our community due to COVID-19. It was this day one year ago when we learned of the first death in Camden County due to this disease and the toll continues to grow,” Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “We are now averaging more than 138 new cases per day. No matter how much we want to believe otherwise, this pandemic is not over. Please continue to take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and others.”

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Earlier in the day, Cappelli reflected on the first fatality reported one year ago, as well as the impact the virus has had on the community since.

“It is difficult to express the breadth of our sadness as we reflect upon the past 12 months and the destruction that they have brought," Cappelli said. "For the families who have lost a loved one, the process of healing has likely only just begun, if it has truly begun at all. While many restrictions have been lifted in recent months, countless families were unable to honor the deceased with traditional gatherings and ceremonies, adding to the pain and feelings of isolation, and depriving their families of the closure those customs afford us.”

A year later, there are three COVID-19 vaccines available to the public, and AstraZenica is developing a fourth. There are two mega-sites in South Jersey, and a county vaccination site at Camden County College in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township. Read more here: COVID Vaccine Sites In Camden County: What To Know

“Today, we are keeping all those we have lost in our hearts, and we are renewing our call to everyone in our community to keep up the fight against COVID-19 so that we do not lose another cherished member of the Camden County family,” Cappelli said. “Wear a mask, social distance, get vaccinated and do everything you can to protect yourself and others.”

See related: Camden County’s First Coronavirus Death Reported

Cappelli will be joined by Caryelle Lasher and Dr. Kevin Emmons to update the public on the county’s response to the coronavirus pandemic at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The address will stream on the county's Facebook page and at camdencounty.com/live.

“We are continuing to vaccinate as many people as we have doses, but this effort won’t be completed overnight,” Cappelli said. “With cases ticking back up, we need everyone to stay informed and continue doing their part to protect themselves and others until vaccinations are widespread, and it’s safe to relax public health measures.”

Emmons teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate level at the Rutgers School of Nursing, preparing students to care for patients with complex health care problems with a focus on those patients from vulnerable and underserved populations. He will provide an update on efforts to increase vaccination rates in underserved communities.

Officials also remind veterans that there will be a pop-up vaccination site for about 800 South Jersey veterans on Saturday, 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Harry Williams Community Center at the intersection of North Black Horse Pike and Broadway in Runnemede.

Eligible veterans can call 215-823-4014 to make an appointment until all available slots have been filled. Only veterans who are at least 55 years old and are enrolled for VA benefits will be eligible. No spouses or relatives of veterans will be eligible. Read more here: Camden County To Host 2nd Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic For Veterans