United States: The United States has been seeing sniffing, coughing, and sore throat everywhere. Approximately two-thirds of the population of the United States has been dealing with respiratory illness. Meanwhile, New Jersey is one of the states that has been recording continuous spikes in cases associated with COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
Some experts have pointed out that a few regions might be recording ease in the cases, but the situation is significantly worsening.
While addressing the increasing cases, some health experts have stated that the hike might be because of festive gatherings, cold weather, or a new COVID-19 variant – JN.1.
Concerns by local health authorities!
However, the health authorities of New Jersey, such as RWJBarnabas – which is responsible for the operation of 12 acute care hospitals in the state – reported a significant jump in the cases linked with respiratory illnesses. In addition to this, an anonymous spokeswoman mentioned that the latest trend suggested that the cases have been settling down in the latest week, according to the reports by nj.com.
Furthermore, she also outlined that despite the downward trend, a majority of the population has been falling ill.
In addition to this, a health expert from Inspira Health – which is responsible for the operation of three (13) hospitals in southern New Jersey stated, “The community of southern New Jersey is seeing a rise in respiratory illness, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV,” as per nj.com.
Further, the concern was also addressed by the senior vice president and chief quality, safety and experience officer for the health network – Dr Tony S Reed mentioned, “We encourage everyone to take steps to prevent the spread of viral infections — wash your hands often, maintain a comfortable distance when interacting with others, wear a mask as appropriate, and stay home when you are not feeling well.”
What does data reveal about the cases in New Jersey?
The data about the latest reported cases revealed that tens of thousands of people have been infected because of COVID-19 or influenza in New Jersey, and a majority of the population, comparatively less than the other two, has dealt with Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Some of the reports have also revealed that a few of the healthcare facilities have also been sending the patients to other healthcare facilities because they are jammed, according to the reports by nj.com.
As per the data by an online tracker, Cape Regional Health System in Middle Township diverted the patients earlier on Monday and additionally, the patients who reached Cooper University Hospital in Camden, Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill, Bayonne Medical Center, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro, Toms River Hospital Community Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital were sent to other facilities on Monday.
Alerted number of cases of COVID and influenza in New Jersey!
The COVID-19 situation in the state has been continuously distorting. As per the official data, the total number of cases reported in New Jersey has risen to more than 30,000 approximately in a month. Out of the all, 1,417 have been admitted to the hospitals and, 49 are on ventilators as well as roughly 100 people has lost their lives to COVID.
A Review by Becker’s Hospital stated that New Jersey has been counted among the top ten states which recorded the highest visits to Emergency Department (ED) due to influenza or influenza-like illnesses. As per nj.com, as of December 30, the state has reported 27,000 cases of flu.
According to the data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of now, no pediatric deaths have been reported in New Jersey; however, flu activity is high in every region of the state.