By Donald Gilpin 

COVID-19 cases have seen an increase over the summer months, according to Princeton Deputy Administrator/Director of Health Jeff Grosser, but case numbers are lower than they were last year, and the Princeton Health Department is preparing for the upcoming fall season, when respiratory disease infections are likely to rise.

Grosser described a “dual seasonality” for COVID-19 with infections peaking twice a year, once in the summer and rising again in our area in November to reach a high point in January before subsiding.

At Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Chief Medical Officer and VP of Medical Affairs Dr. Craig Gronczewski reported COVID-19 infections on the rise both nationally and regionally, but noted little impact at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. “In fact our inpatient COVID-19 census is relatively low, ranging between two to five inpatients the prior few days,” he wrote in an August 20 email. “We may even anticipate a downward trend over the next 30 days.”

Grosser pointed out a report from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health attributing COVID-19’s ongoing dual seasonality to both the higher presence of the virus year-round and its ability to mutate. He went on to note additional factors in the summer rise in cases.

“Several factors play into what we see over the summer with COVID,” he said. “It’s likely a combination of waning immunity from people’s last vaccination or previous infection, emergence of more transmissible variants, along with human behavior like more travel, and spending more time in air conditioned rooms with warmer temperatures upon us.”

Grosser went on to state that a new COVID-19 vaccine, targeting more recently circulating strains of the virus, should soon be receiving final approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “We expect that updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will be widely available in September,” Grosser said, and he pointed out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that everyone ages six months and older receive updated COVID and flu vaccines this fall.

Later this week, the Princeton Health Department will be releasing its fall vaccine clinic schedule, which will include locations throughout town including the Center for Modern Aging Princeton, the Princeton Public Library, municipal offices, and private clinics for various organizations. “Flu vaccine will be the primary offering at each clinic unless otherwise noted,” Grosser said. “Similar to previous years, the health department’s public health nursing staff will be providing homebound COVID-19 shots for those unable to get to their doctors’ offices or other clinics.”

Dr. David Herman, medical director, infectious disease, at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, added, “COVID-19, like flu, changes. There will be an updated vaccine this fall which will be more effective against currently circulating strains and is recommended for everyone if it has been four to six months since the last COVID-19 vaccine or infection.”

As Princeton heads into the fall, Grosser reiterated, “Our advice on the upcoming flu, RSV, and COVID seasons is to get vaccinated.” Flu cases tend to pick up in January and begin to subside in late March, while RSV cases generally reach their peak in December and January, he added.

The CDC recommends RSV vaccines for adults ages 60 to 74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV and for everyone aged 75 and older, said Grosser. Adults ages 60 to 74 are at increased risk if they have certain medical conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or live in a nursing home or long term care center. If the RSV vaccine is recommended for you, the best time to get vaccinated is late summer or early fall.

In addition to getting vaccinated, Grosser emphasized that staying healthy begins with planning and choices. “Eat healthy, wash your hands, stay home from school/work if you’re not feeling well, and get enough sleep,” he wrote in an email. “All of these items are sometimes easier said than done which is why we advocate for planning. Plan to get a flu shot, plan or schedule a time for yourself for physical/mental workouts, etc.”

Grosser also praised the public health nurse team at the health department and the school nurses for their crucial role in helping Princeton to stay healthy.