As the weather crisps and we spend more time inside, the risk of contracting a respiratory illness, including the common cold, flu, or COVID-19, increases significantly. “Remaining vigilant against these diseases is so important,” says James Matera, DO, chief medical officer at CentraState. “It’s up to us to help [...]
At age 46, Maria Reid of Millstone was hardly ever sick. In fact, she hadn’t taken a sick day in seven years—at least until early March 2020, when she began to feel awful. Her temperature rose to 103 degrees, and after a pneumonia diagnosis at urgent care, she was [...]
As the COVID-19 virus continues to change, so does the information—and the questions. We sat down with CentraState Healthcare System Infection Disease Specialist Ramanasri Kudipudi, MD, to get answers about the new Delta variant, and the latest CDC recommendations. What is the delta variant? When [...]
Being on the sidelines has never felt sweeter. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at CentraState, Freehold resident Rose Rocha now revels in her granddaughters' soccer games and is back to cheering them on. “It’s wonderful watching them play again knowing that I am fully vaccinated,” says Rose. “I feel more [...]
As more people receive their COVID-19 vaccinations and states lift lockdown restrictions, the possibilities of things we can do again are nearly endless. But for many who already have the vaccine, what they have been looking forward to doing to most largely comes down to the three Fs: family, [...]
After a positive COVID-19 test result, Gennaro Esposito did his best to rest and self-quarantine. But when a simple walk up the stairs of his home left him breathless, he called for an ambulance to take him to CentraState. With his oxygen levels dropping, doctors weighed whether to put [...]
After many months of challenges – and perseverance – facing the COVID-19 crisis, CentraState received its first supply of vaccines on December 17, 2020. Our staff, well-prepared for this moment, immediately jumped into action. That same day, the first hospital employees were vaccinated against a disease that has changed [...]
When Kristen Connors McEvoy, RN, learned she was having twins last spring, she kept working as the clinical leader in CentraState’s busy Emergency Department. And then the COVID-19 crisis hit. While all healthcare workers were anxious about the virus, her pregnancy brought another level of concern. With the advice [...]
As the COVID-19 vaccine is administered throughout New Jersey, many people are questioning whether they should get the vaccine when their turn comes. It’s important to understand the facts about the vaccines from a source you can trust and not get taken in by misinformation spreading from unsubstantiated sources. [...]
“Screamin’ Steve” Barlotta is a fixture at the Jersey Shore. As the saxophone player for the Sensational Soul Cruisers, he typically performs 200 shows a year. This spring, however, he was struggling to breathe while battling COVID-19. Following a round of antibiotics for strep throat in mid-March, Steve, 57, [...]
