Originally Published by NJ Spotlight News
At Hudson Drug of Cresskill, pharmacists diagnosed New Jersey’s latest wave of COVID-19 cases, by the spike in orders for the antiviral COVID-19 medication, Paxlovid. Instead of dispensing two or three packs a week — they’ve been selling that much daily. And this past weekend, they ran out.
COVID-19 has generated summer mini-waves. The virus spreads when people pack airports for vacation travel or cluster in big crowds for parties and rallies. And the recent heat wave drove people to gather indoors to cool off. Plus, the virus has evolved more infectious FLiRT variants.
New Jersey’s Department of Health reports lab-confirmed cases rose from 1,571 on the week ending June 29 — to 2,231 in mid-July — easing off a bit last week. Hospitals logged 412 COVID-19 admissions — up from 231 over the same time frame, though not every hospital reported. And while COVID-19 hospital patients used to be from all age groups — now it impacts mostly people over 65, who have health problems, says Morristown Medical Center’s Dr. Jason Kessler.
“Whenever there’s a surge in the community, you’re going to see associated increases in hospitalization, too. Just because there’s a lot of vulnerable people out there,” Kessler said.
Experts warn people, especially the medically vulnerable, to consider taking precautions including wearing a mask in a crowd.
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