HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Commissioner Shaun C. Van Doren, the Board’s Health Department liaison announced this week that Hunterdon County is experiencing a surge in respiratory illnesses.
“Based on current testing reports from medical care providers, the predominant respiratory virus circulating in the community is Influenza, surpassing the number of COVID cases,” Van Doren said.
“In addition to rising cases of illness, outbreaks in congregate living facilities and schools are also on the rise. There is also an uptick in calls to the 911 dispatch center and visits to the Emergency Department as well,” Van Doren said.
Hunterdon County’s Health Department Director Karen DeMarco said, “It is expected that cases of COVID, influenza, and RSV will jump after the holidays and New Year’s Eve celebrations.”
“The best protection against severe cases of COVID and Influenza is to stay up to date on your vaccinations,” DeMarco said.
The Hunterdon County Health Department is continuing to provide providing COVID vaccine clinics for ages 6
months and above at the Health Department offices, and the Department is partnering with agencies to provide
community-based pop-up clinics routinely.
In addition to traditional clinics, the Health Department is partnering with other organizations to provide community-based clinics throughout the County. The Health Department also provides vaccine to residents who are unable to leave their homes in the Mobile Homebound Vaccine program.
The CDC recommends everyone eligible should get vaccinated and boosted. According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
If you have any questions about preventing the spread of illness, vaccines, or testing, contact the Health Department at 908-788-1351.
