Hospitals in Camden, New Jersey, are bracing for a significant increase in respiratory illnesses as flu activity rises nationwide. Medical facilities, particularly those operated by Virtua Health, have reported a surge in emergency room visits related to respiratory infections, especially influenza A. Alongside this, cases of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also on the rise.
Dr. Martin Topiel, chief of infection prevention at Virtua Health, noted the alarming trend, stating, “We’re seeing many emergency room visits related to respiratory infections of all kinds. Certainly, flu is a major part of that.” The escalating situation is not confined to hospitals; community members report widespread illness in workplaces and neighborhoods.
Workers in various sectors are feeling the impact. Alex Schmidt, who works in a nursing home, highlighted the severity of the situation: “There’s a lot of people who have been sick lately. A lot of flu.” Schools are similarly affected, with teachers noting that seasonal illnesses are disrupting attendance. Amy Fanrak, an educator at an elementary school in Haddonfield, remarked, “It’s really impacted our elementary schools, with people traveling.”
As the cold and flu season intensifies, many residents are taking extra measures to protect themselves and others from illness. Molly Kaminski, who is navigating the season with her infant daughter, shared her family’s approach: “We’ve just been trying to stay away from folks, not in any restaurants or anything like that. We’ve also gotten the flu shot.” Others are relying on personal preventive strategies. Schmidt added, “I mask up, take my Vitamin C, try to stay active, because that helps too.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Jersey is currently classified as having “very high” flu activity. With multiple viruses circulating, health officials warn that it can be challenging to differentiate between illnesses based solely on symptoms. Many individuals are opting for combination over-the-counter tests capable of detecting both flu A, flu B, and COVID-19.
Dr. Topiel emphasized the reliability of positive test results but cautioned against complacency with negative outcomes. “The problem is if the tests are negative, it really doesn’t rule out COVID or influenza,” he explained. “It might mean there’s a low viral level, but it still might cause significant symptoms.”
Health experts strongly recommend that anyone experiencing symptoms that could spread illness stay home. Dr. Topiel cautioned, “If you have fever, significant cough, a lot of mucus production, you’re really risking transmitting to others.” He also stressed that certain symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, warrant immediate medical attention, particularly for those with a history of heart conditions.
As hospitals and health officials prepare for an expected rise in cases, the community’s vigilance and proactive measures will play a crucial role in managing the spread of respiratory illnesses this winter season.
