126 Total COVID School Outbreaks Are 'Well Within' NJ Expectations, says Gov. Murphy

NEW JERSEY — Another 30 new COVID-19 outbreaks in school districts are being reported over the last week across the Garden State. The total since the school year has begun has grown to 126, but Gov. Phil Murphy says he is not concerned.

"While we take every single case with utmost seriousness, these numbers are well within what we had anticipated," said Murphy during a news conference on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, 30 new COVID-19 outbreaks were reported between Oct. 2 and 18 with 120 new positive coronavirus cases reported in students and 17 in staff members, said Murphy.

Cumulatively, since the beginning of the school year, there have been 126 total outbreaks with 564 students and 94 staff affected.

To qualify as a COVID-19 outbreak in a school there have to be three cases connected and not from the same household.

Murphy noted that when New Jersey residents look at the numbers they should keep in mind that the state has more than 3,500 schools statewide serving more than 1.5 million students.

"Not to make light — and we never will of the in-school transmission numbers in any way shape or form — but it is important to weigh them against the breath of our entire Pre-K through 12 system," said Murphy.

The outbreaks reported included:

• Camden County - 16 outbreaks, 64 linked cases
• Monmouth County - 12 outbreaks, 59 linked cases
• Atlantic County - 12 outbreaks, 43 linked cases
• Sussex County - 11 outbreaks, 45 linked cases
• Mercer County - 10 outbreaks, 46 linked cases
• Bergen County - 9 outbreaks, 45 linked cases
• Ocean County - 8 outbreaks, 39 linked cases
• Morris County - 6 outbreaks, 27 linked cases
• Passaic County - 5 outbreaks, 72 linked cases
• Essex County - 5 outbreaks, 20 linked cases
• Glouster County - 5 outbreaks, 13 linked cases
• Union County - 4 outbreak, 32 linked cases
• Somerset County - 4 outbreaks, 29 linked cases
• Cumberland County - 4 outbreaks, 22 linked cases
• Cape May County - 4 outbreaks, 15 linked cases
• Hudson County - 3 outbreaks, 33 linked cases
• Salem County - 3 outbreaks, 12 linked cases
• Hunterdon County - 1 outbreak, 9 linked cases
• Middlesex County - 1 outbreak, 6 linked cases

New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli continued to stress the importance of children getting vaccinated.

"Currently, 57 percent of kids ages 12 to 17 have received their primary doses, said Persichilli. "We want that to increase."

To find a vaccine location click here.

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