Cooper University Health Care revealed late yesterday that they will be receiving custom-designed face shields from Apple. The healthcare system said in a statement released Wednesday that Apple would donate "tens of thousands" of the shields for its front-line medical personnel as they treat patients with COVID-19.

Kevin O’Dowd, JD, co-president/CEO of Cooper: "We are extremely grateful to Apple, not only for their products, which are helping our COVID-19 patients communicate with their families and our staff, but also for this crucial donation of personal protective equipment that will increase the safety of Cooper’s world-class clinical team."

Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-president/CEO of Cooper: "Apple is a world leader in producing products that bring us all closer together, which is critical during this time of pandemic. We are honored that they chose to donate face shields to Cooper’s dedicated clinical and support staff, our frontline heroes."

The Cooper Foundation established a separate fund to support its work during the pandemic, which has claimed 138 lives in South Jersey's seven counties, according to figures released Wednesday by Gov. Phil Murphy. At least 4,244 people have tested positive for the virus in South Jersey.

Statewide, 3,156 people have died from the virus; 71,030 have tested positive for COVID-19.