Rutgers University–Camden junior and Merchantville resident, Emily McDermott, is conducting cutting-edge research that could lead to applications for NASA to use in space. A recipient of the NASA NJ Space Grant Consortium, she is working with an assistant professor of chemistry and an assistant professor of biology at Rutgers–Camden conducting research on using plant-based materials to power batteries that astronauts could use in space in the future. McDermott's innovative project aims to find a more eco-friendly way to power batteries instead of using fossil fuels.

NJ DOH is halting Adult Day Health Services in all counties. As of 2:00 p.m. on March 20th they reported 155 new cases, 890 total and 2 additional deaths, 11 total. The Monmouth County testing site is set to open on Monday, March 23. New Jersey residents should be prepared for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their community. You can take measures to reduce the spread of COVID- 19. The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the Public on COVID-19: Call: 2-1-1; Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253; Text: NJCOVID to 898-211 or Text: your zip code to 898-211 for live text assistance. Learn more here.

From March 18th - 19th Governor Murphy signed the following bills to support residents and businesses and curb the spread of coronavirus during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bills A3680 and A3682 to expand access to tele-health services and to allow professional and occupational licensing board to expedite licensure of out-of-state professionals. Executive Order 106 places a moratorium on removing people from their homes due to evictions or foreclosures. No renter or homeowner can be evicted until further notice. Executive Order 105 implemented changes to upcoming elections to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Bill A-3852/S-2296 allowing conduct of State business and legislative sessions at locations other than Trenton during periods of emergency or other exigence and allows conduct of legislative business using electronic means. Additionally, new amendments were added to the Child Care Subsidy Program to help provide access to critical child care subsidies while eligible parents attend jobs.

The ideal goal in fighting an epidemic or pandemic is to completely halt the spread. But merely slowing it — mitigation — is critical. This reduces the number of cases that are active at any given time, which in turn gives doctors, hospitals, police, schools and vaccine-manufacturers time to prepare and respond, without becoming overwhelmed. Lisa McHugh, the program coordinator of infectious disease epidemiology at the state Department of Health, said with social distancing and other mitigation activities, “you try to bring the peak down, have it come out over several weeks rather than having it over a shorter two or three week time frame.”
Most hospitals can function with 10 percent reduction in staff, but not with half their people out at once. Some commentators have argued for getting the outbreak over with quickly. That is a recipe for panic, unnecessary suffering and death. Slowing and spreading out the tidal wave of cases will save lives. Why does "flattening the curve" matter? Flattening the curve keeps society going.

Advocare Merchantville Pediatrics urges please call us first rather than using the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centers for non-life threatening issues, as there are many conditions that can be treated in the office. Please note the following precautionary measures our office is taking to protect you, your child, and our staff. Our waiting rooms are separated between sick and well. All books, magazines, and toys have been removed. The playhouse will be closed until further notice, which has saddened many of our patients. The office will be closed at lunchtime for a thorough cleaning. We are limiting well exams to the morning. We will be contacting you to reschedule afternoon well exams and also to confirm your existing morning well exam. We will have a tent outside if your child is very sick and needs to be seen in the morning. Please do not hesitate to call the office anytime for sick children. We also may ask to see you outside if you or your child is coughing or has a fever. We will see sick children from 1:00 p.m. to closing. Please do not hesitate to call us at any time. As always, your child's health is our main concern. We cannot stress enough that we are available 24/7 - call us first - at (856) 665-7337.  As this is an ever-changing situation, please check our page frequently or call our office for updates.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, Wawa is doing everything we can to support the communities, customers and associates that rely on us every day, while constantly evaluating the best way to operate our stores. Effective March 20th effective at 5 a.m. Wawa is introducing changes to Self-Serve Coffee and other Beverages, Bakery Processes, and adding Store Closures for Enhanced Cleaning. Moving forward a Wawa associate will serve coffee to customers. We are suspending all self-service fountain beverages, iced drinks, cappuccino and iced coffee. Wawa will be individually bagging all bakery products for customers. In order to remain open safely, Wawa has enhanced our already strict cleaning and quality standards by increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting all touch points and surfaces. Wawa is adjusting store hours and implementing overnight closure between 2-3 a.m. at all locations for additional store cleaning, sanitation and stocking. Wawa remains committed to delivering our purpose of fulfilling lives every day and will continue to monitor the way we operate and make adjustments as needed. Please visit www.wawa.com/alerts/COVID-19-safety-readiness for details and updates on our store status, processes and measures taken to support our communities and ensure the health of our customers and associates.

Cabin fever is driving out the masses. Yes, it's still perfectly safe to step outside and get moving in most places, provided that you're healthy and aren't part of a high-risk population. But remember, going outside isn't a free-for-all. The CDC warns that you should maintain at least six feet of distance between you and others, so if you go outside, keeping your distance is a great first line of defense. Skip the mask - healthy exercise requires plenty of access to oxygen, and wearing a surgical mask or N95 respirator makes it much harder to breathe. Use best disease prevention practices - the best way to prevent coronavirus after venturing outside is still to obey tried-and-true public health measures including: washing your hands, avoiding touching your face and frequently disinfecting used items and surfaces. Go get some fresh air and exercise!

COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Most cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate, like the common cold. But it can be more severe in older adults and people with chronic health conditions.The virus is most likely to be spread from person to person by droplets when coughing and from contact with surfaces where those droplets have landed. Since this virus is new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. COVID-19 Cases by County are updated daily on this dashboard. Data is provisional and subsequent to revision. Information for: Communities and the General Public  |  Schools and Businesses  |  Healthcare and Public Health Professionals

The Camden County Division of Environmental Affairs has canceled their Household Hazardous Waste collection event in Cherry Hill scheduled for Saturday (3/21) due to concerns over the Coronavirus. This event was originally scheduled at the Cherry Hill Public Works Complex, 1 Perina Boulevard, Cherry Hill from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Future hazardous waste events may be found here. If you have any questions please call 856-858-5241.

Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 104, implementing aggressive social distancing measures to mitigate further spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey. Among the directives, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order indefinitely closes all public and private preschool, elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education, as well as closes all casinos, racetracks, gyms, movie theaters, and performing arts centers. The order also mandates that all non-essential retail, recreational, and entertainment businesses must cease daily operations from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. All restaurant establishments, with or without a liquor license, are limited to offering only delivery and/or take out-services only, both during daytime hours and after 8 p.m. In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, Governor Murphy’s executive order directs the following.