A Bridgeton resident has died from the coronavirus, officials announced Wednesday.The patient was hospitalized outside of the county, and tested for COVID-19, but the results did not come back until after the person passed away, said Jody Hirata, Cumberland County's public information officer.It is the first reported death in the county, which has three confirmed cases.The age and gender of the patient are not being released to protect the privacy of the patient's family, Hirata told BreakingAC.A follow up case and contact investigation has started and upon the completion of that, more information may become available to the public regarding how the patient may have been exposed and if this patient had any identified close contacts, she said.
“It is our understanding that the deceased suffered from other underlying health conditions that put them in a high risk category,” said Megan Sheppard, the county health officer.The Cumberland County Health Department is working closely with the New Jersey Department of Health to conduct an investigation to identify close contacts of the resident. More cases are expected to be confirmed in the next few days.“Those identified as a close contact will be notified," Sheppard said. “Our semi-rural location has, so far, helped us control the spread of the virus," Freeholder Director Joseph Derella said. "But make no mistake, as testing expands, so will the number of cases. We must strictly observe the restrictions mandated by the Governor’s Executive Orders and, when we do go out to access essential services, please diligently maintain social distancing.”
