More Than 100 Coronavirus Cases Linked To NJ Colleges: Report

NEW JERSEY — A new report shows the prevalence of coronavirus across the nation's colleges and universities, just as students prepare for the start of the fall semester. And it shows that New Jersey's institutions have impacted the outbreak in the Garden State.

While most universities and colleges are planning virtual or hybrid starts to the year, new data obtained by the New York Times shows the institutions that have the highest number of coronavirus cases throughout the pandemic.

According to the report published Wednesday, at least 6,300 coronavirus cases are linked to approximately 270 colleges.

The highest number in New Jersey was reported at Montclair State University, which is linked to 63 cases, according to data from The Times.

According to the report — compiled after a survey of every public four-year college in the country, as well as every private institution competing in Division I sports — other New Jersey colleges that have cases include Princeton University (48), Ramapo College of New Jersey (22), Rutgers University in New Brunswick (10), Rider University (5), Monmouth University (1) and William Paterson University (1). You can view all the data here.

The Times noted that many of these colleges posted case information online, or some provided full or partial numbers while others refused to answer questions, citing privacy concerns; hundreds of colleges did not respond.

Many universities have announced all online or hybrid starts to the fall semester as cases in the state and country continue to pile up.

When Rutgers resumes in September, a majority of classes will be delivered remotely, "with a limited number of in-person classes," said new Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway. Read more: Rutgers To Be Mostly Virtual This Fall; Dorms 'Extremely Limited'

New Jersey's total coronavirus case count reached has exceeded 170,000 and more than 13,000 confirmed deaths have been reported. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy is facing mounting pressure on the question of reopening schools since the risk of transmitting the disease inside is much greater than outside. New Jersey also has had a recent uptick in cases. Read more: Gov. Murphy Warns That NJ's Coronavirus Cases Are Rising Again

Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy has been releasing "hard dates" and more specifics on New Jersey's plans to reopen its economy, schools, daycare, summer camps and public transit during the coronavirus crisis. And he was expected to provide more details over the course of June and July. Read more: Gov. Murphy: 'Hard Dates' In NJ Coronavirus Reopening Blueprint
• Murphy has issued a list of rules and guidelines for reopening schools this fall amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ School Reopening Rules Amid Coronavirus
• New Jersey will provide a remote-learning option for schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: NJ To Offer Remote-Learning Option For Schools Amid Coronavirus
• New Jersey teachers, meanwhile, have developed what may be considered a strict set of possible ground rules for getting kids back to school in the fall. Read more: NJ Teachers Develop Possible Back-To-School Coronavirus Rules
• Murphy signed an order to require masks to be worn outside if social distancing is impossible. Read more: Gov. Murphy Orders NJ Masks Outside When Not Social Distancing
• Murphy extended the coronavirus outbreak's public health emergency to Aug. 7. Read more: Gov. Murphy Extends NJ's Coronavirus Public Health Emergency
• New Jersey is now reporting probable deaths as part of its regular updates amid the coronavirus crisis. Read more: NJ Now Reporting 'Probable' Coronavirus Death Toll
• Murphy and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have issued new travel rules, saying travelers from high-infection rate states to New Jersey, New York and Connecticut "must quarantine" for 14 days. Here's what you have to do if you're coming to New Jersey. Read more: NJ Expands Travel Quarantine To 34 States Amid Coronavirus
• Many New Jersey towns rank surprisingly high on the coronavirus case list. Here are the latest town-by-town numbers, ranked highest to lowest. Read more: Latest Release, Ranking Of Town-By-Town NJ Coronavirus Cases, Fatalities
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis

With reporting by Kara Seymour