The number of COVID-19 infections in New Jersey has nearly doubled the number over early June. In New York City, rates have risen by about 250% from the previous two months.
While COVID-19 infection numbers are still relatively low compared to the numbers during peak infection, new variants of the coronavirus — called FLIRT variants — have found a way to evade immunity, affecting even people who have previously had COVID-19. And symptoms can be hard to spot, said Stephanie Silvera, an epidemiologist in the Department of Public Health at Montclair State University.
“Unfortunately, the symptoms are pretty broad,” Silvera said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. “It can be something from a runny nose, fatigue, cough, chills, things that we’ve seen before, but some people have none of those symptoms and are experiencing things like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea without any of the other symptoms… If you’re feeling sick, if you have a fever, you should test yourself to see whether or not you should try to stay home if you’re able to,” she said.
Silvera also discussses the avian flu virus, which has now infected four humans in the United States.
Senior Correspondent
Joanna Gagis joined the NJ Spotlight News team in 2018. As a Senior Correspondent, her coverage includes education, health care, the environment, New Jersey politics and more.