Information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Thank you for visiting Cooper University Health Care’s blog. To help you stay informed about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and also to learn what you can do to stay healthy, we have provided the below information.

If you believe, based upon the below information, you need to see a physician for coronavirus (COVID-19), please call Cooper’s main number 800.826.6737 before going to your doctor, an urgent care, or the hospital emergency department for assistance.

There are no cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) at any Cooper facility. However, there are reported cases of elsewhere in New Jersey. Please check the NJ Department of Health website here for the latest information.

The best way to prevent infection from any virus, including the flu, is to:

  1. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often.
  2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing cough (or cough or sneeze into your upper arm, if no tissue is available).
  3. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth.

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What is coronavirus (COVID-19)?

On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the coronavirus outbreak. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. There are many types of human coronaviruses, including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a new coronavirus that has not previously been seen.

Who is at risk for coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Currently, those at greatest risk of infection are persons who have had prolonged, unprotected close contact with a patient with symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19. Close contact is defined by the CDC as:

(a) being within approximately six feet of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time; close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a health care waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case; or

(b) having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (such as being coughed or sneezed on).

Similar to the flu, people who are older than 65, or have chronic illnesses or a weak immune system are more vulnerable to be infected by COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 may appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Is there a vaccine for coronavirus (COVID-19)?

While there is currently no vaccine available for COVID-19, several are being tested. At this time, doctors and APNs can recommend typical remedies for any viral illness: rest, medicine to reduce pain and fever, and fluids to avoid dehydration. COVID-19 patients with pneumonia may also need oxygen, and a ventilator if breathing trouble worsens.

How does coronavirus (COVID-19) compare to the flu?

It is also important to keep this new infectious threat in proper perspective. Although this is potentially a serious public health threat that we are watching very closely, we would like to remind everyone about the very active flu season we are currently experiencing in New Jersey and across the region and of the dangers the flu poses to our communities. Indeed, the flu has already killed far more people in the United States just this season than this novel COVID-19 has killed worldwide. If you have not received a flu shot, please do so soon. The more people who are vaccinated against the flu will mean fewer cases of influenza, and will result in more lives saved.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good up-to-date resource (cdc.gov) on the coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly as it relates to travel and geographic locations that are experiencing high incidence of the virus.

47 Comments

  1. Alberto Velazquez

    I would like to thank all the doctors and nurses that work so hard to keep us safe and all the staff that work in the hospitals and other locations thru New Jersey and around the world THANK YOU
    You people are amazing brave THANK YOU AGAIN

  2. Margaret Read

    I would like to thank all the Doctors and Nurses that have been working so many hours to keep us safe., Thank you.

  3. Sultana Alam

    Thanks for the caring and informative blog. Even more, thanks for CoVid testing that turns around in under 36 hours Vs the 8-10 days required in Philly.

    And:
    Bravo for sticking to your style of being accessible, responsive ….and awesomely unimpressed with yourselves.

  4. Gloria

    Thank you to the doctors and nurses who put their lives at risk to serve the public while trying to protect their own families. May God bless and protect you always.

  5. Mary Malec

    Thank you for the excellent COVID-19 information. We would also like to thank Cooper for working so compassionately and tirelessly on behalf of your community and hospital patients. You continue to keep us healthy and safe despite the COVID-19 pandemic. You are all healthcare heroes. We truly appreciate your dedication!

  6. Jerome Gunn

    I was tested at the site in Cherry Hill today. All the staff were very professional and nice to talk to. It was freezing and they were still doing such a great job. Thank you to all the Covid test folks at the Cherry Hill Swab site!

    • Cooper University Health Care

      Thank you for reaching out. Please contact our Patient Relations team for help at 856-342-2432. Thank you!

  7. James Bambrick

    How do I get the vaccine? I am high risk at 74 with afib and hbp. Do I register with Cooper health, my GP or myCardiologist?

    • Cooper University Health Care

      Thank you for your inquiry about the COVID-19 vaccine. Cooper is committed to helping its patients get the vaccine as soon as enough supply is available. Due to the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine the federal government, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has recommended certain groups get priority in receiving the vaccine. States are only permitted limited modifications to the CDC’s recommendations. The federal government is distributing the vaccine and has determined that the first phase of vaccinations will be limited to front line health care workers and long-term care facility residents. In coming weeks, the next phase of the vaccination program will include other non-health care front line essential workers and those in vulnerable populations. As soon as the federal government announces the next phase of the vaccination program, we will provide you with more information. For more information on New Jersey’s vaccination plans, you can go to the New Jersey Department of Health website: https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_vaccination.shtml

  8. Mary E. ONeil

    I am 86; years old and have been waiting patiently to be notified when i can get this Covid 19 vaccine i did preregister through the state of New Jersey web site. Have heard nothing so, when the larger sites opened up today, i also registered at the Camden County site. They could not give me an appointment until April 6th. Come on, i am 86 years old i thinki should be able to get this vaccine before April 6.

    • Cooper University Health Care

      Thank you for your message. Cooper is not handling the scheduling, I apologize that we are unable to assist in arranging appointments. Camden County is handling all of the registrations, including the sites that are staffed by Cooper. You can contact this location with any questions through the Camden County website here: https://www.camdencounty.com/vaccineregistration.

    • Cooper University Health Care

      Thank you for your message. Cooper is not handling the scheduling, I apologize that we are unable to assist with your question. Camden County is handling all of the registrations, including the sites that are staffed by Cooper. Contact information for the vaccination site at Camden County College is available through the Camden County website here: https://www.camdencounty.com/vaccineregistration.

  9. GFD

    Registerd on MyChart Cooper on 1/16/21 for the Covid vaccine. Earliest date was 5/18/21 which I took. Friends went to CCCC late last week and either received while there or set appointments which one got for 1st week in February. Does that mean that every day was filled from Thurs to Sat to May 18th?

    • Cooper University Health Care

      Thank you for your message. Cooper is not handling the scheduling, I apologize that we are unable to look into your question. Camden County is handling all of the registrations, including the sites that are staffed by Cooper. You can find contact information for their site through the Camden County website here: https://www.camdencounty.com/vaccineregistration.

  10. Charles J Ferris

    I am 78 years old and have had three heart attacks, 5 stents, and an ICD. I am scared of Covid-19 and want to get vaccinated ASAP.

  11. Frank Ciulla

    I want an appointment for a covid vaccine as soon as possible! What else can I do to get an appointment! Thank you

    • Cooper University Health Care

      Thank you for your message. Unfortunately Cooper does not schedule vaccinations, so we are unable to assist with faster appointment times.

  12. Michael Muench

    I received my 1st Covid Vaccination on January 20th at the Tampa VA. Eight days later we moved to Burlington City, New Jersey. The Philadelphia VA arranged for me to get my 2nd shot at the VA in Philly. I was extremely impressed with the coordination and efficiency exhibited at both VA hospitals. I was in and out at both facilities in less than an hour despite very long lines that kept moving. I’m 75 and served in Vietnam and feel that the VA is pretty good at serving veterans.

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