NJ hospitals have the space, staff, and supplies to care for all patients. Hospitals have continued to care for non-COVID-19 cases throughout the public health emergency, including life-saving surgeries, births, trauma services, and emergency care. NJ hospitals safely cared for nearly 350,000 people with non-COVID-19 needs at the pandemic height in March and April. In April, COVID-19 patients represented just 20 percent of the total number of patients in NJ hospitals, and COVID-19 admissions to hospitals continue to decline. In September, COVID-19 admissions represented less than 5% of patients in NJ hospitals.

From our survey outcomes, we know what is important to you, and our hospitals are vigilant with their precautions, protections, and safety protocols to protect patients and staff. We have changed the physical space within hospitals to better serve you during this time and for the future. Waiting areas have been reconfigured to allow social distancing, physical barriers have been added, and hospitals have strict “cohorting” processes to ensure that individuals with COVID-19 are cared for in entirely separate units than others. Hospitals also are using best practices in infection control and prevention, and environmental services to decontaminate spaces. You’ll also see people throughout the hospital wearing face masks – staff and patients alike. It’s part of hospitals’ added precautions to ensure patient and community safety and provide some extra peace of mind.

Understanding how COVID-19 is spread is one of the best ways to keep you and others safe. Each NJ hospital has a team of infection prevention and control experts that specialize in preventing and treating illnesses that can spread from person to person. These infectious disease experts guide the work of hospitals, protecting patients, visitors, and staff, and ensure that NJ hospitals follow the most current, best safety protocols.

In addition to each hospital’s infection prevention and control expertise, NJ hospitals follow or exceed the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New Jersey Department of Health, and local departments of public health.