Salem County Health Department Confirms First Positive Case of Coronavirus
The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services is advising the residents to continue to take precautions due to confirmation of the first positive Coronavirus case in this county. The resident is a female in her 60’s from Pennsville township with a history of travel.
The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services was notified of the positive result from the patients’ Healthcare provider on March 21, 2020. The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with this individual and the New Jersey Department of Health. We have identified the close contacts and we are providing guidance for isolation, evaluation and testing of those contacts as appropriate.
The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services urges its residents to take standard precautions against the spread ofcoronavirus which includes effective hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or, if unavailable, with an alcohol based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol, staying home if you are sick, limiting contact with others as much as possible, avoiding touching your face, and practicing routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. “The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services is working diligently to safeguard the health and well-being of the residents of Salem County” said Freeholder Mickey Ostrum. The Salem County Health Department recognizes the situation regarding Coronavirus is rapidly evolving and is following guidance from the CDC and New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) which aids in our primary mission of educating our residents accordingly.
Symptoms of Coronavirus are consistent with those of a respiratory illness such as fever, cough, shortness of breath. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can appear anywhere from two to fourteen days after exposure.
The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services urges residents to follow the following steps if they are currently sick with Coronavirus, or present with symptoms of the virus following close contact with confirmed case: stay home except to get medical care, stay separated from other people and animals, call ahead before visitiing the doctor or emergency room, and continue to monitor symptoms.
For more information go to the Salem County Department of Health and Human Services’ website or call the NJDOH 24/7 Hotline at 1-800-222-1222
