Health & Fitness
These 17 NJ Counties Are Facing ‘High’ COVID Spread: CDC
All but four New Jersey counties are experiencing the highest level of viral spread, according to the latest numbers from the CDC.
NEW JERSEY — All of New Jersey is now experiencing either high or substantial spread of coronavirus, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The northwest corner of New Jersey — the counties of Sussex, Warren, Morris and Passaic — are experiencing substantial transmission. The rest of the state is experiencing high spread of the virus. This is according to the most recent data available, which is last week's data from Aug. 8 - Aug. 14, said the CDC.
The CDC says fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors in public if they live in an area with "substantial" or "high" transmission of the virus.
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
So this would mean even the vaccinated should wear masks in indoor public spaces everywhere in New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy already announced that all New Jersey schoolchildren will start off the school year wearing masks every day. Read more: NJ K-12 Students Must Wear Masks This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says
The CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all students (age 2 and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Those who aren't fully vaccinated are urged to wear masks in public no matter what the level of transmission is, according to the CDC.
The delta variant of the coronavirus continues to drive case rates higher in the U.S., especially in places with low vaccination rates.
All U.S. states now classify as high transmission of the virus, with the exception of six: Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Those six states are currently experiencing substantial transmission.
Transmission levels are determined either by new cases per 100,000 residents in the last seven days or the percentage of coronavirus tests that come back positive; the higher category determines the transmission level.
Thresholds
New cases per 100,000 in past seven days:
- Low: 0-9.99
- Moderate: 10-49.99
- Substantial: 50-99.99
- High: >100
Positive test rate:
- Low: <5
- Moderate: 5-7.99
- Substantial: 8-9.99
- High: >10
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