Mercer Co.'s Cases Remain In COVID 'Red Zone:' See Town Updates

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a grim toll on Mercer County, impacting local businesses and schools in the region, according to updated state data (see town-by-town update below).

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

Mercer County reported 18,158 cases on Saturday, an increase of more than 1,160 from the previous 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.

Mercer County officials provided the following breakdown of cases by town:

EAST WINDSOR TWP

• Population 2010: 27,190 Pop/SqMi: 1,737
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 18 Total Cases: 1,372

EWING TWP

• Population 2010: 35,790 Pop/SqMi: 2,302
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 27 Total Cases: 1,881

HAMILTON TWP

• Population 2010: 88,464 Pop/SqMi: 2,199
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 62 Total Cases: 4,882

HIGHTSTOWN BORO

• Population 2010: 5,494 Pop/SqMi: 4,360
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 8 Total Cases: 343

HOPEWELL BORO

• Population 2010: 1,922 Pop/SqMi: 2,669
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 0 Total Cases: 33

HOPEWELL TWP

• Population 2010: 17,304 Pop/SqMi: 294
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 3 Total Cases: 455

LAWRENCE TWP

• Population 2010: 33,472 Pop/SqMi: 1,524
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 10 Total Cases: 1,229

PENNINGTON BORO

• Population 2010: 2,585 Pop/SqMi: 2,665
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 0 Total Cases: 51

PRINCETON

• Population 2010: 28,572 Pop/SqMi: 1,552
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 4 Total Cases: 465

ROBBINSVILLE TWP

• Population 2010: 13,642 Pop/SqMi: 663
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 8 Total Cases: 514

TRENTON CITY

• Population 2010: 84,913 Pop/SqMi: 10,317
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 47 Total Cases: 6,011

WEST WINDSOR TWP

• Population 2010: 27,165 Pop/SqMi: 1,035
• Report Date: 12/25/2020, 7:00 AM
• Daily Cases: 3 Total Cases: 567