27 New COVID Outbreaks At NJ Schools Reported This Past Week

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Schools reported 27 new COVID-19 outbreaks this past week, but Gov. Phil Murphy says they are "within expectation."

From Oct. 5 to 11 there were 27 new COVID-19 outbreaks at New Jersey schools impacting 125 students and 17 staff members, said Murphy during a news conference on Wednesday.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 outbreaks to 77 impacting a total of 444 students and 96 staff members.

NJ State Epidemiologist Dr. Christina Tan wasn't concerned over the number of outbreaks this week and said they were normal.

Tan said the state has been looking at the in-school transmission data over the last four weeks and the number of outbreaks has been pretty steady.

"In the beginning of the school year there were very few outbreaks, less than 10 and then in the last three weeks, including this reporting week, we have been seeing roughly around in the range of 15 or 20ish outbreaks," said Tan.

"I wouldn't say this is an acceleration it just reflects what we would normally see," said Tan.

Tan noted the state would expect to see outbreaks this time of year in addition to COVID outbreaks but also seeing outbreaks of the Coxsackie virus in school and daycare settings.

"That's what happens when kids are back in school. The key is to keeping the schools open and keeping them safe in those settings," said Tan.

Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli also noted that 70.1 percent of 16 and 17 year olds have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. Yet only 57.1 percent of children ages 12 to 15 are vaccinated.

"We need to improve that," said Persichilli.

Murphy agreed that the vaccination rate among school-age kids is "not at the level it needs to be."

Persichilli said the state is working with schools and local officials in every municipality to identify those students who are unvaccinated and try to encourage them and their parents to "line up and get a shot in the arm."

"I think overall I am pleased where we are going with kids," said Persichilli. "I wish the younger kids had a higher level of vaccination."

Currently, the vaccine is available to only those ages 12 years and older. To find a vaccine location click here.

The vaccine may soon be eligible for the younger population. The Garden State is preparing for a massive influx of demand for children ages 5 to 11 to get the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, which the Food & Drug Administration is scheduled to discuss on Oct. 26. After that meeting, the FDA is expected to approve the shot for kids as early as Halloween or by early November. Read More: NJ Should Prep Kids' COVID Vaccine Distribution: White House

In anticipation of the decision, the White House is telling governors across the U.S. to preparing now to start vaccinating kids come early November, according to NBC and other media outlets.

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