COVID In Union County Schools: What New NJ Data Reveals

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Compared to the rest of New Jersey, Union 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.

Union County's data includes 116 reporting schools, including private K-12 institutions. Numbers will get updated weekly.

The state reported 1.63 new cases per 1,000 individuals in Union County schools — the seventh-highest 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.

Union County schools had 87 new cases — the eighth-highest figure reported in the state. The health department also tallied 18 new cases among staff.

Schools in Union County have reported 680 cases since the school year began. The county's 158 cumulative staff cases are the eleventh 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 Union County stands at 88.4 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.