Two new testing centers for COVID-19 will open in Camden to increase testing capability and bring it closer to home for many Camden residents. New Testing Site Locations: 2600 Mount Ephraim Avenue in the Camden Division of Motor Vehicle Parking Lot from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This will be manned by healthcare staff from Virtual Hospital. Opening Day: Wednesday, April 29th.  Second site: 3101 Federal Street at Dudley Grange Park from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.*Monday through Friday. Opening Day: Tuesday, May 5th. Cooper Health System employees will manage the site. “We feel confident that these two new testing locations will help us to better meet people where they are,” said Virtua Health President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin. Each site will test any Camden County resident by appointment who has a referral for testing from a medical provider at Virtua, Cooper, CamCare, or other provider.  To make an appointment, call 856-968-7100, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The new sites will replace the current testing location at Cooper’s Poynt Park, which will close on May 1st at 3:00 p.m. 

The Department of Health makes daily announcements about new novel coronavirus cases and deaths in Camden County. Between March 27th - April 24th Merchantville identified sixteen (16) Covid-19 positive cases fortunately, none resulting in death. The breakdown by age of female residents is: 1 in her 30s; 2 in their 40s; 4 in their 50s; and, 2 in their 60s. The breakdown by age of male residents is: 2 in their 40s; 4 in their 50s; and, 1 in his 80s. Given our close proximity to several towns challenged by much higher numbers and greater risk of infection, residents are continuing to do a great job of containing the spread of coronavirus in our community. According to Camden County updates and the State of NJ Covid-19 Dashboard, the city of Camden has identified 622 cases and 39 deaths, Cherry Hill - 385 cases and 10 deaths and, Pennsauken - 246 cases and 2 deaths. Congratulations Merchantville on continuing to do a great job of staying at home to stop the spread and flatten the curve!

As government leaders consider how to reopen society, officials in many countries have latched onto the idea of issuing “immunity passports” to people who have recovered from COVID-19. In the United States, immunity passports could “have some merit under certain circumstances,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN this month. However, the concept of immunity passports raises other concerns as they could become a condition for traveling on an airplane or attending concerts or sporting events or divide society into two groups: those who have immunity and can resume normal life, and those who are required to remain under lockdown.

On Wednesday, April 29th, conforming with new executive orders from Governor Murphy, Mayor Brennan announced the reopening of Merchantville's public parks on Saturday, May 1st. Playground equipment, public restrooms and athletic facilities will remain closed to minimize the risk of overcrowding in congested areas. "All Residents and Members of our larger community: Thank you for your continued cooperation during this difficult time. The Borough appreciates your efforts and we are pleased to provide some good news. Please see the Borough's statement on Borough park reopening and the extended grace period for tax payments. Stay Safe and continue practicing social distancing, we are helping to flatten the curve!" Residents are expected to continue to follow NJ Covid-19 health regulations including wearing masks and social distancing.

"Artists in the time of Coronavirus" is an ongoing virtual exhibition published by Artblog - an independent online publication that fosters dialog and community through commentary and discussion about art and culture. Their primary focus is on the Philadelphia region and they have received over 200 submissions. Their twentieth post of the series included artists, Gerri Spilka and Laura Lyn Stern, both currently on exhibit at Eilandarts in Merchantville, NJ. If you want to participate, send your statement (250 words max) and 2 photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More details here. Stay safe and stay positive, and come back in the days to come for more art!

On April 24, 2020 the number of American deaths from Covid-19 infections surpassed 50,000 and, as the month of April draws to a close, testing has yet to ramp up to the levels experts say would give an accurate picture of the spread of the coronavirus.  A survey of infectious 21 disease modeling experts and researchers by Thomas McAndrew and Nicholas Reich at the University of Massachusetts Amherst makes for sobering reading. The experts predict the U.S. death rate to increase to approximately 70,000 by May 9, and to reach 150,000 deaths by the end of the year.