Bayshore, Riverview Hospitals Report Increase In COVID Patients

HOLMDEL, NJ -The number of people hospitalized with COVID has spiked across nearly all Monmouth County hospitals, including at the local hospitals that serve Holmdel: Riverview and Bayshore.

As of Thursday, Nov. 12, there are a total of 338 COVID patients admitted across all Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals statewide.

“Currently, Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals across New Jersey are seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases. We are experiencing COVID-19 volumes not seen since early June. These recent numbers lead us to believe we are experiencing our second wave of COVID-19,” said M. Todd Way, the president of what Hackensack Meridian calls its "Central Market," which includes JFK, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel and both Raritan Bay locations.

RWJBarnabas, which operates Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, similarly called it "a steady increase."

Related: Holmdel HS Graduate Shares Pandemic Front-Line Experience

Way reports that the hospitals retain a “sufficient” amount of equipment and PPE to treat patients accordingly, a luxury that was not attainable during the early days of the pandemic. Read more: NJ Hospital Coronavirus: 100 Sick In 1 Night, Too Few Ventilators

Hackensack Meridian hospitals are also participating in several vaccine trials, including the Moderna and J&J trials, said Way. Hackensack Meridian is also providing support to Pfizer, which has developed a vaccine that is 90 percent effective.

Those interested in volunteering to be part of vaccine trials can fill out the survey or call (551) 996-5977.

Related: NJ Prepares To Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine: 'We Will Be Ready'

As of Nov. 12, patients at Hackensack Meridian hospitals are allowed one visitor at a time, unless the patient is a minor, in which case both guardians are permitted. Visitation to COVID-19 patients is by appointment only, with limited exceptions.

“We continue to maintain safe visitor protocols at all of our hospitals and will continue to modify as needed."

"At Hackensack Meridian Health, our physicians and scientists are developing potential breakthroughs including conducting clinical trials on new therapies such as convalescent plasma therapy and Regeneron, an antibody treatment given to President Trump and former Governor Chris Christie," said Way.

With reporting by Carly Baldwin.