PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The delta variant of the coronavirus is making the rounds. While it isn't a deadlier strain, it is more contagious. Now the increase in cases is causing Camden County officials to resume daily COVID-19 case updates.
Camden County stopped pushing out the daily updates because the case counts were so low. But the numbers are on the rise again. County Commissioner Director Lou Cappelli said 28 cases were reported in the county on Friday.
"For the past few weeks, the numbers have been very low. But now that they're creeping up, we want the public to know that the delta variant is making its way through Camden County," said Cappelli. "And the public needs to know that the number of cases are increasing."
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It's not just Camden County. The delta variant is on the rise statewide, sending more people to the hospital. Nearly all of them are unvaccinated. Cappelli says protecting yourself and those close to you isn't complicated, and urges people to get the shot.
"The more people vaccinated, the less people will end up in the hospital, less people that will die. It's that simple," he said, stressing it's extremely important to avoid another winter like the last one.
"As we move into the fall and we try to keep things going normal, we need people to be vaccinated."
So far, a little over 5.1 million people have been fully vaccinated in New Jersey. The state has offered a variety of resources on vaccines, detailing everything from their safety and efficacy to how to book appointments close to home.