Masks now recommended in 10 N.J. counties with high COVID transmission, CDC says – NJ.com

Masks are now recommended indoors and on public transportation in 10 New Jersey counties, after coronavirus levels increased in Salem County and pushed it into the high transmission category, the Center For Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem and Sussex counties are considered high community levels of the virus, the CDC says. Cumberland County is the only level with low counties; the others are all considered medium.

Just five weeks ago, all New Jersey counties were considered areas of low community levels. But virus levels have increased sharply, with the seven-day average of new cases increasing 138% from a month ago.

The seven-day average for new cases was 4,034 as of Thursday, the highest seven-day average since February.

Community levels of the virus are recalculated every Thursday based on virus levels from the preceding week. Levels are calculated based on admissions to hospitals and the percent of inpatient beds used by COVID patients.

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Hospitalizations remain below the peak levels seen in January during the height of the omicron wave. The rate of transmission stands at 1.29, meaning the outbreak is expanding.

The BA.2 strain of COVID-19 has been spreading in New Jersey for weeks, though at much lower rates than the Omicron surge in December and January. Officials have said the Omicron stealth sub-variant appears to spread more easily but generally does not cause more severe illness.

Community levels are calculated differently from transmission levels, the latter of which should only be used by health care facilities, the CDC says.

There is no mask advisory for residents living in low or medium transmission areas if they are not at high risk of serious illness, the CDC says.

Those who are a high risk for severe illness should discuss if they should mask up with their doctor when transmission rates are medium, the CDC says. Wide-spread masking is not recommended unless transmission levels are high.

At all transmission levels, the CDC recommends staying up-to-date with vaccinations and getting tested if you have COVID symptoms.

With reporting by NJ Advance Media staff writer Deon Johnson.

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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

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Masks now recommended in 10 N.J. counties with high COVID transmission, CDC says - NJ.com