For the second week in a row, more than 500 confirmed COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Warren County, prompting calls for residents to get vaccinated if they have not yet done so.

The rapidly growing case count continues to impact local hospital systems Saint Luke’s University Hospital System Warren Campus and Atlantic Health System’s Hackettstown Medical Center.

“The current surge, largely driven by the unvaccinated population, is placing an enormous burden on our region’s health care system,” said Jeffrey Jahre, MD, St. Luke’s Vice President of Medical & Academic Affairs and Section Chief Emeritus of Infectious Diseases. “Unvaccinated COVID-19 patients are filling up hospital beds and exhausting medical staff and limited resources.”

Currently, at the St Luke’s Warren Campus, almost half of the hospitalized patients (45%)  are infected with the COVID-19 virus; 74% of whom are unvaccinated. All of those patients who are critically ill are unvaccinated. None of the COVID-19 infected patients are known to have received their Booster Shot.

“We hear the concerns from our area hospitals, and encourage individuals who have yet to do so to speak to their healthcare providers about getting vaccinated,” Board of County Commissioners Director James R. Kern III said.

“Hospitalizations are rapidly rising,” Kern noted, adding, “There is plenty vaccine availability in Warren County. Between our health department, healthcare facilities and private partners, appointments are easy to obtain.”

Information on getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is available on the county government website at https://www.warrencountynj.gov/government/health-department/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines.

Officials reiterate that those who are unvaccinated and those who have not yet received their booster obtain shots as soon as possible. Additionally, as much as possible, they remind folks to continue to mask and social distance, when possible, as well as practicing proper hand and respiratory hygiene – wash hands frequently and thoroughly, cover all coughs and sneezes – and stay home when you’re sick.