COVID Outbreaks Have Grown To 23 At NJ Schools

NEW JERSEY — The number of COVID-19 outbreaks in school districts across the Garden State has grown to 23 since the start of the school year.

This is up 17 outbreaks since last week when only six outbreaks were reported at school districts across the state, state officials said during the Wednesday news conference.

The outbreaks reported included:

• Mercer County - 6
• Atlantic County - 4
• Morris County - 3
• Cumberland County - 2
• Hudson County - 2
• Bergen County - 1
• Cape May County - 1
• Glouster County - 1
• Monmouth County - 1
• Union County - 1
• Sussex County - 1

To qualify as a COVID-19 outbreak in a school there have to be three cases who are epidemically linked but not from the same household or are close contacts in another setting, said Persichilli.

Of those outbreaks, 102 positive coronavirus cases in total were linked to schools. Of those cases, 82 were among students and 20 among staff members, said Gov. Phil Murphy.

There was one district has an outbreak solely among four staff members, said Murphy.

"As the new academic year unfolds, we are continuing to work with our educational communities and local health partners to ensure our schools remain safe spaces for learning," said Murphy.

As of result of these outbreaks, seven schools have implemented remote instruction due to COVID-19 since the start of the school year. Of those three remain remote, said Department of Education Acting Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan.

New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli urged vaccination especially in those ages 12 to 17.

Currently, 59 percent of those ages 12 to 17 have at least received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Wednesday, Persichilli said.

The percentage is higher in ages 16 and 17 which is at 68 percent. And ages 12 to 15 are at 55 percent.

"We would like to see that higher for those ages 12 to 15 particularly since they are in contact with children who are too young to be vaccinated," said Persichilli.

Additionally, Persichilli noted that children and students already have to receive at least nine other vaccinations to attend school.

"Right now in order for children to attend public elementary schools, they need to be vaccinated against Chicken Pox, Poli, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Whooping Cough, Diphtheria and Tetanus. As they get older they need to be vaccinated against Meningitis," said Persichilli.

Looking at the younger population, Murphy announced on Monday that anyone who works in a daycare in New Jersey must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by the beginning of November or face weekly testing. Read More: NJ Child Care Workers Must Be Vaccinated Or Face Testing

Additionally, all employees, visitors, and students and children ages 2 and older will be required to wear masks while inside day care facilities effective Friday, Murphy said. It mirrors masking requirements in place for schools.

When asked if masks will be enforced for toddlers aged 2, Murphy said yes but for the provider not the child.

"We know that this is not easy. We know these kids are 2 in some cases. These providers are overwhelmingly trying to do the right thing. Is there teeth? Yes, if they are willful ignoring of the protocols. There has to be some consequence. Probably not for the 2 year-old," said Murphy. "We just want to make sure the environment there is the right environment that gets to the point that we want to get to which is we are just trying to keep folks as safe as possible."

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