Post-Holiday COVID Spike In NJ: What You Need To Know

NEW JERSEY - New Jersey is witnessing yet another rise in COVID-19 cases following holiday-related gatherings last weekend.

On Friday, the Garden State reported 2,321 confirmed positive cases, as well as eight new COVID-19 deaths, marking the second day in the row for a new daily case count of over 2,000. The seven-day average for COVID-19 cases in the state is 1,701, up nearly 140 percent from a month ago.

The rate of transmission in the state is 1.24, meaning that every new case is leading to roughly one other new case. As of Friday, all but two New Jersey counties are labeled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “low” areas for transmission. Morris and Bergen counties report “medium” rates of transmission, in which at-risk individuals are recommended to speak with healthcare providers about whether mask-wearing or other precautions are necessary.

Gov. Phil Murphy noted earlier this month that the uptick in reported cases was to be expected in the days following the religious celebrations. Read more: Mask Mandate Return In NJ? 'Never Say Never,' Says Gov. Murphy

“The only other side to that [anticipated spike], is good news: the weather is getting warmer, we’re going to be outside … over the next couple of weeks and months,” Murphy told News12 during ‘Ask Gov. Murphy' on April 11.

“These waves come and go. We’re probably in the soup here for another four to six weeks, but nothing remotely that we’re looking at like what we’ve gone through before," Murphy added.

The news comes just days after Murphy suspended face mask mandates on NJ Transit and South Jersey Transit Authority on Tuesday. The news came less than a day after a federal judge voided the federal mandate and hours after the Transportation Security Administration said it would drop it. Read more: Masks No Longer Required On NJ Transit: Murphy

Individuals can still wear a mask based on personal preference. Masks are still required on PATH trains in New Jersey due to New York regulations.

Philadelphia also revoked its face mask mandate after just four days in effect, with officials citing stabilized case counts and low hospitalizations. Read more: Philly Drops Mask Mandate After Just 4 Days

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends face coverings in public transportation settings, according to a statement clarifying the issue Wednesday.

“CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings,” the statement reads. “CDC’s number one priority is protecting the public health of our nation. As we have said before, wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor. When people wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over their nose and mouth in indoor travel or public transportation settings, they protect themselves, and those around them, including those who are immunocompromised or not yet vaccine-eligible, and help keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone.”

Murphy’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding whether New Jersey will abide by the CDC recommendation.

The governor has repeatedly encouraged frequent testing and vaccination efforts to curb transmission in the state, even as New Jersey pivots to “endemic” life.

“Testing still actually matters, and this thing is so contagious, even though it’s a lot less lethal than it was at the beginning,” Murphy said last week. “Get tested, get vaccinated, get boosted.”