On April 5th, just one month after recording its first infection, New Jersey now has at least 34,124 known cases of the coronavirus, including 846 deaths, as state officials announced 4,331 new cases and 200 new fatalities from a global outbreak that’s expected to keep worsening in the coming days. The state is testing only symptomatic people and reporting an average of only 5,000 tests a day, which officials attribute to a lack of manpower and supplies from the federal government. Governor Murphy has ordered residents to stay at home, called on people to keep practicing social distancing and washing their hands. “This pandemic is writing one of the greatest tragedies in the state’s history," Murphy said. Camden County currently has 481 cases, with 8 deaths.

In addition to lesson plans and activities in theses stay-at-home times Merchantville School has focused on connecting to students and MES through "read out louds" on Facebook. Parents and kids can tune in throughout the week to listen as teachers and administrators share stories. Merchantville CSA, Scott Strong, read Duck for President and Harold and the Purple Crayon, Krista Travaglini shared Peanut Butter and Cupcake and Spanish Teacher, Ms. Bonilla, read Say Hola to Spanish. Remember to read while you are at home. Enjoy and stay safe. for more videos. Keep on reading while you are home. We miss all of our students. 

Three weeks after a Yonkers racing official became the first man from New Jersey to die of the coronavirus, horsemen continue to debate how widespread COVID-19 became in the harness racing industry. John Brennan, who was a fixture at Yonkers Raceway, became the first New Jersey resident to die from the coronavirus on March 10. Four members of a family with deep ties to harness racing then died over a six-day period in mid-March. State health officials have said the Fusco family deaths were connected to Brennan, who had an office in the heart of the facility where the Yonkers horsemen would congregate before races. While no one is blaming Yonkers Raceway for the outbreak among the racing community, some remain unconvinced transmission of those early cases occurred at the track.

Yesterday Dr. Deborah Birx emphasized that hotspots will see an increase in deaths over the next 6-7 days and the next two weeks will be crucial for the effort to flatten the curve and, unless it's essential to leave home during the next 14 days, Americans shouldn't. “This is the moment to not be going to the grocery store,” she said, “not going to the pharmacy, but doing everything you can to keep your family safe. And that means everybody doing the six-feet distancing, washing your hands.” She noted that she can tell by looking at the US curve of coronavirus cases that not every American is following the guidelines set out by the administration for people to stay home and be vigilant about washing their hands.