COVID In Hudson County Schools: What New NJ Data Reveals

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Compared to the rest of New Jersey, Hudson County schools have lower numbers than most, of new coronavirus cases reported among students and staff.

The revelation came after the New Jersey Department of Health released new data Monday on its COVID-19 dashboard. The dashboard now shows significantly more school data at the county level but still doesn't display any school numbers at the individual, district or municipal levels.

Hudson County's data includes 120 reporting schools, including private K-12 institutions. Numbers will get updated weekly.

The state reported 1.14 new cases per 1,000 individuals in Hudson County schools — the second-lowest mark in New Jersey. The state average stood at 2.05 new cases per 1,000, while Sussex County reported the highest prevalence of infections, with 4.04 per 1,000 people in its schools.

Hudson County schools had 86 new cases — the twelfth-lowest figure reported in the state. The health department also tallied 23 new cases among staff — the state's twelfth-lowest reported total.

Schools in Hudson County have reported 785 cases since the school year began. The county's 155 cumulative staff cases are the ninth fewest in the state.

Statewide, 1.4 percent of students have missed time at school for COVID-19 reasons, including those with the virus who were isolating and unvaccinated students who needed to quarantine.

The new data also shows the percentage of school staff vaccinated against COVID-19. Statewide, 84.9 percent of staff are vaccinated against the virus, while Hudson County stands at 78.8 percent.

Previously, New Jersey largely limited its available school data to outbreaks, which require three or more confirmed COVID cases among those linked within a school setting, not including people in the same household.