Union County’s Cases In COVID 'Red Zone:' See Updates

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a grim toll on Union County, impacting local business and schools in the region, according to updated state data.

The state Department of Health's most recent "COVID-19 Activity Level Report," which is issued weekly, says Union County is in the “red zone” for coronavirus cases.

Union County reported on Friday 1,303 confirmed deaths and 31,755 positive test results since the pandemic began, with an increase of about 2,500 new cases – or about 10 percent – over the past week.

The “red zone” means the daily new COVID-19 virus case rate, per 100,000 people, rose to "very high" in all 21 counties. That means they exceed 25 cases per 1,000 people.

The latest reports say the overall coronavirus activity level also rose from "moderate," or “yellow,” to "high," or “orange,” in recent weeks in all 21 New Jersey counties.

With the rise to a "high" level, state officials said, school districts in those counties may have to take more serious steps — such as quarantining or even shutting down schools — if a child shows the symptoms of COVID-19.

"When it is high risk, there are some recommendations that we make together with local school boards," said Edward Lifshitz, medical director for the state Department of Health.

Indeed, a number of school districts have shifted to remote instruction as the numbers have risen.

The overall coronavirus risk rose to "high" in each of the counties because:

• The new daily case rate in each of the counties rose to 10 or more per 100,000 people.
• The percent of COVID-19-like illnesses rose above 5.52 in each of the counties.
• The percent of positive cases rose above 10.01.

State and national trends

At the height of the crisis in New Jersey, when testing and PPE were scarce, 460 people died from the virus in 24 hours on April 30.

The death rate had been plummeting over the summer. Back on Sept. 8, three months ago, the state announced two new deaths confirmed in 24 hours.

But deaths began rising again with gatherings, reopenings, and travel to states with higher transmission. This past Wednesday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said that the state of New Jersey had seen 91 new deaths from the virus since the day before.

Doctors have said that a number of factors are contributing to the fact that the daily death rate is still lower than spring, including people getting test results (and thus treatment) sooner, more protective equipment available in hospitals, and doctors becoming better able to treat the virus. However, the virus still can have long-term effects.

More than 290,000 Americans and 15,000 in New Jersey have passed away from the virus.

Here are more statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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