COVID-19 Hospitalizations Up Across NJ As Second Wave Hits

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — It's well known that COVID-19 cases are up across New Jersey. And now COVID hospitalizations are up, too.

"Across the RWJBarnabas Health system, we have begun to see a steady increase in the number of patients being hospitalized with COVID," Dr. Christopher Freer, a senior vice president for emergency medicine at RWJBarnabas, said on Wednesday. "At this time, our hospitals in the northern region, including those in Essex County, are seeing the greater increase in COVID patient volume."

RWJBarnabas operates hospitals across the state, from Community Medical Center in Toms River to the Jersey City Medical Center.

But its Essex County hospitals — Newark Beth Israel and Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville — are currently seeing the highest number of COVID admissions.

The new hospitalizations come as New Jersey on Tuesday announced its highest daily case total since April — 3,877 — and the state's highest death toll since July: 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID-19 Numbers Going 'In Wrong Direction'

As of Tuesday, Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick had 23 COVID patients admitted, with one patient on a ventilator. By comparison, on Aug. 10, Saint Peter's was down to four COVID patients, and none of them were on ventilators.

By Sept. 10, the hospital hit a milestone of zero admitted patients with COVID-19, said Saint Peter's spokeswoman Michelle Lazzarotti. But it was short-lived: By Oct. 11, Saint Peter's had 15 COVID patients admitted, one of whom was on a ventilator.

"We are fully prepared to respond to any surge in an increased number of patients with suspected or positive COVID-19," she said.

All the hospitals urged New Jersey residents to continue with mask wearing and social distancing. And go to the hospital if you feel sick enough, they stressed. Don't try to ride out COVID alone at home.

"Despite the number of cases going up, individuals should be reminded to seek the care they need from their healthcare provider or in some cases, an emergency department," said Lazzarotti at Saint Peter's. "They should not delay care for fear of COVID, especially if they are experiencing any symptom of COVID-19, a stroke or heart attack. They should seek care immediately."

All the hospitals have been stockpiling PPE, preparing for winter's second wave.

"An upward trending of positive COVID cases in the late fall and winter had been predicted, and our facilities are well prepared to handle the influx," said Dr. Freer at RWJBarnabas. "We have been stockpiling personal protective equipment and medications. We have developed a re-distribution plan for staffing and contracted for additional nurses, and we have also increased testing capacity, enabling us to rapidly diagnose those with COVID and separate them from other patients."

Also, get the flu shot, said Dr. Freer.

"This will provide increased protection from the seasonal flu virus and help keep our emergency departments and hospital beds available."