Passaic County’s COVID Cases Remain 'Very High:' See Updates

WAYNE, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a grim toll on Passaic County and Wayne Township, impacting local businesses and schools in the region, according to updated state data (see updates below).

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

Passaic County reported 46,768 cases on Friday, and Wayne Township continues to see higher cases numbers than in the fall. Township officials are reporting fewer cases than in December, however.

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 100,000 people over a seven-day average.

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.

Wayne Schools made the decision to remain virtual until mid-February amid a teacher shortage, prompting outrage amongst parents and a three-way battle over policy between the Wayne Education Association, disgruntled parents and the district.

READ MORE: Disgruntled Wayne Parents Rally To Reopen Schools

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.

Wayne Township Mayor Christopher Vergano reported 851 positive coronavirus tests in the month of January as of Tuesday night.

The number continues to sit higher than from previous months, when the township saw 154 positive tests in October and 549 in November. Vergano reported 1,106 in December, when he said numbers really started to climb.

He reported one new death as well.