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Author: haddonfieldtoday

COVID-19 cases hit 250 — 1 for every 50 residents

The Camden County Department of Health today reported 15 new COVID-19 cases for Haddonfield — five each for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The total number of cases locally now stands at 250, representing 21.56 per 1,000 of population — about 1 case for every 50 residents. (Comparison: Camden County 43.15; New Jersey 42.26.)

The average number of new cases per day for December, so far, is 3.14, surpassing the rate for all of November (2.80 cases per day), and triple the rates for October and September (0.9 and 0.93 respectively).

The deaths of five Haddonfield residents have been attributed to COVID-19. The most recent was reported on September 30.

Cases for male residents outnumber those for females, 136 to 114. In the lower age ranges, the male/female split is about even, but there is a dramatic difference is the 50s: 31 males to 12 females.

The Haddonfield Public Schools have reported 48 cases to date: 40 juveniles and teens and 8 adults. The Middle School accounts for 13 of the cases; the High School for 23.

Schools to return to hybrid model

As planned, Haddonfield Public Schools will return to the hybrid model on Monday, December 7.

Superintendent Chuck Klaus sent the following message to members of the school community today (Thursday, December 3):

Since the decision was made to shift to five days of full-remote instruction at the beginning of this week, we have been monitoring both local and regional COVID numbers.  This included a meeting with the Camden County Department of Health and the Camden County superintendents.  Based on the Southwest Region remaining classified as “High Risk or Orange” and low incidents reported for Haddonfield students and staff, we are confident that the schools will be safe, and we will return to the hybrid model on December 7, as planned. 

The decision for a temporary move to full-remote learning was a difficult one, and today’s decision to return to in-person instruction has been no less challenging. Ultimately, this decision rests upon our confidence in the schools being safe environments and our strong belief in the value of in-person instruction. 

The November 25th decision to close schools for five days was made in part to reduce any potential need for widespread quarantines after the holiday break. In order to remain open for the remainder of December, we must promote a “community first” mindset. The school district implores families and staff members to complete daily screening forms with care and accuracy. If any student or staff person has symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home and attend school remotely.  Additionally, if you have been exposed to an individual who is symptomatic and/or exposed to those designated as close contacts, especially in your own household, you must not come into our schools.

These difficult times require difficult decisions. Ultimately our goal is to remain in our hybrid model for the remaining 13 school days of December. This can best be accomplished if we all take responsibility and are cautious about potentially exposing others.

November’s COVID-19 tally: 84

The surge in the number cases reported by the Camden County Department of Health for Haddonfield in November reflects the dramatic increases for the county, the state, and the country as a whole. The total for November — 84 (46 males and 38 females) was essentially equal to the numbers for July (18), August (11), September (28), and October (28) added together.

The age group with the highest number of reported cases in November was the 10s — 37 (21 males and 16 females). The public schools reported 30 cases in the 10s in November (27 males and 13 females). Next highest? The 50s — 12 (8 males and 4 females).

As of November 30, the total number of cases reported for Haddonfield stood at 228 (123 males and 105 females). The breakdown by age group is as follows:

  • Unknown age — 7 (Male 6, Female 1)
  • Juvenile (under 10) — 8 (M 5, F 3)
  • 10s — 64 (M 32, F 32)
  • 20 s– 42 (M 20, F 22)
  • 30s — 23 (M 12, F 11)
  • 40s — 25 (M 13, F 12)
  • 50 — 35 (M 25, F 10)
  • 60s — 8 (M 3, F 5)
  • 70s — 8 (M 7, F 1)
  • 80s — 7 (M 1, F 6)
  • 90s — 1 (F)

The Camden County Department of Health has reported the deaths of five Haddonfield residents due to COVID-19:

  • 40s — 1 (F)
  • 70s — 2 (M 1, F 1)
  • 80s — 1 (F)
  • 90s — 1 (F)

As of November 30, the infection rate among Haddonfield residents was 19.67 per 1,000. For comparison, the rates for Camden County and New Jersey both stood at 38.37 on November 30. The transmission rate for New Jersey was 1.11.

For Camden County as of November 30 — 19,708 cases and 607 deaths.

For New Jersey — 337,304 cases and 15,164 deaths.

United States — 13,536,216 cases and 267,987 deaths.

Schools to be 100% remote from November 30

The recent dramatic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Camden County, Haddonfield, and the Haddonfield public schools has led the School District to decide to return the elementary schools and Middle School to remote instruction for at least one week, beginning Monday, November 30. The High School has been in 100% remote mode since November 16.

The District sent the following message to the school community this evening (Wednesday, November 25):

“The Camden County Department of Health has communicated to us that our COVID Activity Level Index (CALI) score falls into the category of “High Risk,” which is indicated by a CALI score of 3. Additional information was provided pointing out that Camden County ranks near the highest Case Rate and Percent Positivity in the state.  The New Jersey Department of Health has asked school districts to consider additional precautions while faced with so many new cases in our area (COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix). 

“With an expected surge after the Thanksgiving weekend and with an emphasis on the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, and families, the decision has been made to take a cautious approach and create an “intermediate” period of time in which to evaluate the impact of the holiday weekend. Therefore, beginning Monday, November 30, 2020, Haddonfield School District will return to full remote instruction until December 7, 2020. This applies to elementary, middle and high school students.  A review of the district and regional numbers will be made on December 3, 2020, and the status of our instructional model will be re-evaluated at that time.  Based on those numbers, we will decide either to continue full remote learning or to return to the hybrid model.  If the decision is made to extend full remote learning, considerations of best practices to support at-risk students will be implemented.

“The decision to take this intermediate step was not made lightly, but it was made with the hope that we can bring the students back to school later in December.  

“We understand and value the impact of in-person instruction. Over the next several weeks, we ask everyone to participate in behavior that is safe and includes practices to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is our hope that the regional numbers decline and return to in-person instruction occurs as quickly as possible.” 

COVID-19: Schools stay the course

Superintendent of Schools Chuck Klaus sent a message to parents and staff this afternoon (Saturday, November 21), advising them that although Camden County has raised the COVID-19 transmission risk from yellow to orange, the school district will remain in its current hybrid model — for the time being.

Here is the superintendent’s message:

Good afternoon, Haddonfield parents and staff,

Friday afternoon, Dr. Priolo and I participated in a conference call with the Camden County District Superintendents, the Camden County Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Nwako, the Camden County Public Health Coordinator.  The purpose of this call was to inform school leaders of the fact that Camden County COVID-19 rates of transmission have shifted from the Moderate Risk “yellow” zone to the High Risk of transmission “orange zone.”

Below is a summary of how our school district will proceed moving forward.

  • For the time being, school district operations will remain in our current hybrid model. We fully understand the importance and benefits of in-person instruction, and our goal is to remain in-person, with mitigation efforts in place, as much as possible.
  • However, if positive cases surge in any school, or if regional numbers continue to rise into the “Very High Risk” Category, we may have to close a building or the entire district and return to full remote instruction as indicated by the department of health.
  • I will receive an update on the transmission rates next Wednesday, November 23rd, and will continue to keep you informed.

We are committed to keeping you informed of all county and/or state communication we receive related to COVID-19 rates of infection so that you can prepare for child care and family obligations. We appreciate your continued efforts to practice all recommended behaviors such as mask-wearing and hand washing and to help us to keep our children in school.

Have a good weekend, and stay safe. 

Guess the Vote contest: We have a winner!

In the October 30 issue of Haddonfield Today, we invited readers to participate in a “2020 Presidential Election Guess the Vote and Win a Chance to Win One Million Dollars!” contest.

Entrants submitted their guesses for the total number of votes they thought would be cast by Haddonfield registered voters for the two main candidates: Biden # + Trump # = Total #.

The number of registered voters for this election, provided to us in advance of the election, was 10,718. (The number on Camden County’s official statement of results, published on November 16, is 10,589.)

Guesses ranged from a low of 6,580 to a high of 10,568. The actual total was Biden 5,725 + Trump 2,421 = 8,146.

The closest entry, without going over — 8,126 — was submitted by Jill Ballard of Haddonfield. Her prize? A New Jersey Lottery “$1,000,000 Riches” ticket and a $100 gift card for Denim BYOB in Haddonfield.

Congratulations, Jill! And thank you to all who participated.

Special Board of Health meeting

A special meeting of the Haddonfield Board of Health will be held on Tuesday, November 24 qt 8:30pm, or directly following the scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners, whichever is later.

To register to attend the virtual meeting, go HERE.

Election results for Haddonfield

The Camden County Board of Elections has posted final tallies for the November 3 general election.

2020 registered voters = 10,589 — Comparison: 2016 = 9,778 (8.29% increase)

2020 ballots cast = 8,380 (79.14% of registered) — Comparison: 2016 = 7,099 (72.60%)

President

  • Trump = 2,421
  • Biden = 5,725
  • La Riva = 3
  • Jorgensen = 74
  • Blankenship = 8
  • Hammons = 7
  • De La Fuente = 5
  • Hawkins = 24

Board of Education (uncontested – 3 candidates for 3 seats)

  • Vecchio = 5,755
  • Hoag = 5,754
  • Paoli = 5,799

State Question 1 (Legalize marijuana)

  • Yes = 5,429
  • No = 1,864

State Question 2 (Property tax deduction for veterans))

  • Yes = 5,340
  • No = 1,811

State Question 3 (Redistricting schedule for census)

  • Yes = 4,593
  • No = 2,395

Plays & Players’ cabaret

Like most performing arts organizations in the region, throughout the state, across the country, and around the world, Haddonfield Plays & Players has suffered greatly from being forced to go dark during the pandemic.

But theater types are nothing if not creative and resourceful. To raise sorely needed funds, the local troupe of thespians will present a livewatch, virtual cabaret titled “It’s Only Intermission” on Saturday, November 21 at 7pm.

The show will feature more than 30 performers singing selections from popular past productions, as well as from the upcoming season.   

Plays & Players’ goal is  to raise $10,000 to help ensure the theatre’s future and enable it to plan its 2021 season with confidence. The line-up for the new year includes: The Last Five Years, Art, The Shadow Box, and Songs for a New World, plus a few special programming surprises.

Performers scheduled to participate include Megan Balne, Tommy Balne, Andy Bochetter, Evan Brody, Taylor Brody, Abby Brown, Pat DeFusco, Trisha Dennis, Arielle Egan, Amanda Frederick, Nick French, Tami Funkhouser, Jake Gilman, Matt Goodrich, Joe Grasso, DJ Hedgepath, Nicky Intrieri, Andrew Jarema, Ava Kapelus, Allison Korn, Ben Lipitz, Faith McCleery, Christopher McGinnis, Annie Raczko, Jasmine Roosa, John Sayles, Cassidy Scherz, Emma Scherz, Tess Smith, Dave Stavetski, Darryl Thompson, Justin Walsh, Dana Weiss, and Gabrielle Werner.

To register for the livewatch, go HERE. To donate directly, at any time, go HERE or text GIVE to 856-208-7111, or mail a check to Haddonfield Plays & Players, PO Box 145, Haddonfield NJ 08033.

Since 1934, Haddonfield Plays and Players has provided quality community theater at an affordable price to a wide range of Delaware Valley audiences, as well as a creative outlet for non-professionals – all in an atmosphere of personal and social enrichment that is open to all persons with a commitment to non-profit theater.

Highest single-day COVID-19 report

The Camden County Department of Health reported today that ten Haddonfield residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19: two males in their 10s, a male in his 40s, two males in their 50s, and a male in his 70s; a female in her 10s, two females in their 20s, and one female in her 30s.

This brings the total number of cases for Haddonfield to 191, with five fatalities. The increase of ten, from yesterday, is the largest since the first Haddonfield case was reported, on March 20.

The magnitude of the dramatic increase in reported cases since November 12 — 39 in seven days — prompted the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education to issue a joint statement today — HERE — calling on members of the community “to protect our friends, families, and neighbors so that we can all pull through this challenging time.”

Also today, the Haddonfield School District reported one new case: A female in her 310s at the Middle School. (Note: Cases reported by the District typically fall within those reported by the County, though not necessarily on the same date.)

In Camden County, the total number of cases stands at 16,218, with 588 deaths. For New Jersey, 289,562 cases with 14,843 confirmed deaths and an additional 1,812 probable deaths.

Rates per 1,000 of population are: Haddonfield 16.48; Camden County 31.57; New Jersey 32.94.

The transmission rate in New Jersey — a key metric — now stands at 1.43 (up 0.01 from yesterday). This is the highest it has been for some months, and reflects the situation across the country. (A transmission rate of 1.0 means that, on average, each new case will produce one additional new case. When the transmission rate falls below 1.0, it’s a good sign. When it rises above 1.0, it’s cause for concern.)