Monmouth County Witnessing 73% Spike In New COVID Cases

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Monmouth County — like the rest of New Jersey and the nation — is currently witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases this week.

Over the weekend of Dec. 2 through Dec. 6, the most recent dates for which data is available, Monmouth County logged 1,379 new positive cases, and one death related to COVID-19.

That's a 73 percent increase from the four days prior, when 793 cases were reported between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2, with five COVID-related deaths.

Monmouth County has no way of knowing how many of these new 1,379 cases are the omicron variant. The New Jersey Dept. of Health has information about omicron cases in the state, said county spokeswoman Tricia Wajda.

New Jersey identified its first COVID-19 omicron variant (B.1.1.529) case on Friday, Dec. 3. The woman who is a fully vaccinated Georgia resident, had recently traveled to South Africa. But Gov. Phil Murphy said Wendesday there are likely more omicron cases throughout the state.

However, South African doctors have said omicron so far presents very mild symptoms, such as a headache and fatigue, although it does appear to be much more contagious.

Most New Jersey counties still have a "high" level of transmission — including Monmouth — according to the CDC. Murphy also noted that New Jersey hospitals are seeing a surge in new COVID case admissions.

"We are seeing an increase in hospitalizations up to 1,409 today. This number has been increasing," said Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.

The third booster shot of the vaccine could be crucial to providing protection to the omicron variant, particularly with the Pfizer vaccine, the company announced. Three doses of that vaccine "neutralize" the variant, the most recent studies show.

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