Health officials fear Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings will intensify NJ COVID surge

The surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations that began last month in New Jersey has not yet caused a significant spike in the state’s death toll. But health experts say that could change fast if working-age adults who are propelling the wave of new cases begin to gather with older family members as the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s holidays approach. “This is not the time to invite people into your bubble,” said Henry Raymond, an epidemiologist at the Rutgers School of Public Health. “I don’t want to sound like a person trying to take away someone’s Thanksgiving, but I think people have to find alternatives, or there may be consequences.” To read the full story.