How Much Did COVID Spread In Greater Morristown During The Holidays?

MORRISTOWN, NJ — COVID-19 cases in New Jersey continue to surge amid the season of holiday gatherings and the spread of the omicron variant. Here's what's happening in Greater Morristown.

Cases

Morris County averaged 1,509.1 infections per day this past week, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. That's nearly double the prior week's daily case average of 776.8 and nearly eight times the amount of daily new cases from this week a month ago, when state officials reported 190.87 per day in the county.

Here are the local case numbers:

• Morristown saw 614 new cases from Dec. 23 to Tuesday, bringing the town to 3,415 cases since the pandemic began. That's a 21.9 percent increase to Morristown's case total in 12 days.
• Officials reported 594 Morris Township infections in that span, putting the township at 2,806 cases since the onset of the pandemic. The case total increased 26.9 percent from Dec. 23 to Tuesday.
• Morris Plains's case total grew from 785 to 969 for a 23.4 percent increase in 12 days.

The Morris School District made an in-person return from winter break Monday. The district reported 218 active cases as of Saturday. See the district's coronavirus dashboard below:

Hospital Capacities

Here are the local hospital ICU statistics as of the week of Dec. 23 — the most recently available data — according to the Department of Health and Human Services:

• Morristown Medical Center: 29.84 percent on inpatient beds and 40.98 percent of ICU beds available
• Saint Clare's Denville Hospital: 63.95 percent of inpatient beds and 58.97 percent of ICU beds available
• Kindred Hospital New Jersey - Morris County (Dover): 18.29 percent of inpatient beds available, ICU data unavailable
• Overlook Medical Center (Summit): 40.88 percent of inpatient beds and 57.95 percent of ICU beds available
• Saint Barnabas Medical Center (Livingston): 8.14 percent of inpatient beds and 52.63 percent of ICU beds available

Find more detailed data here: Strain On Some Morristown-Area Hospitals Rising Amid Case Surge

Vaccine Data

As of Sunday, 41.4 percent of Morris County's fully vaccinated population received the COVID-19 booster shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The CDC reported that 78.2 percent of Morris County's vaccine-eligible population — people 5 and older — have completed their first COVID vaccine course. As of Sunday, 91.5 percent of people 5 and older in Morris County have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

See more local news and resources:

• Looking for a COVID test? Here's what to know about Morristown's local testing centers.
• Booster shots are available around Greater Morristown. Here's where to find them.
• Mayor Tim Dougherty re-instituted a mask requirement Dec. 24 in Morristown because of the spike in new COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the omicron variant. The executive order applies to all Morristown businesses and venues open to the public. Read more.
• The Market Street Mission, a Morristown-based nonprofit, temporarily canceled all volunteer assignments because of the recent COVID-19 wave. The organization says it will continue providing meals, shelter and spiritual and emotional support to anyone in need. Read more.

Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of the illness, some experience conditions known as long COVID or long-haul COVID, according to the CDC. Find out more about long COVID at the CDC's website.

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