How Much Is COVID Spreading In Gloucester County?

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — Gloucester County and New Jersey have seen an uptick in coronavirus cases. But what does that mean for the county?

Gloucester County saw 221 new cases and three new deaths this week, according to statistics provided by the county department of health. The previous week, the county saw 180 new cases and no new deaths.

As of Friday, Gloucester County has conducted 202,894 total tests. Of these cases, 174,883 have come back negative. Gloucester County’s total positive COVID-19 case count is now 28,011. Gloucester County is reporting 623 deaths.

Officials continue to monitor the delta variant, which accounted for 83.9 percent of coronavirus cases in New Jersey over the last four-weeks, according to data provided by the state department of health.

Gloucester County and the rest of New Jersey have "moderate" COVID activity, according to New Jersey's latest weekly report. The determination is based on metrics such as case rate, positivity rate and prevalence of COVID-like illnesses.

The uptick in cases lead Gov. Phil Murphy to make two announcements this week.

On Friday, he announced that students, educators, staff and visitors in the state’s K-12 schools will have to wear masks when the school year begins in the fall. Read more here: NJ K-12 Students Must Wear Masks This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

On Monday, Murphy and other officials announced a vaccine mandate for many health care workers throughout the state, with affected employees required to take regular COVID-19 tests if they're not fully vaccinated against the disease. Read more: COVID Vaccines, Testing Now Mandatory For NJ Health Care Staff

“Vaccines are easily available Tuesday through Friday at the Gloucester County Public Works Complex. No appointments are necessary and we are able to vaccinate all individuals 12 years old and older,” Gloucester County Commissioner Director Robert M. Damminger said. “We read the stories of what can happen if you are unvaccinated and contract COVID-19. Don’t wait to get yours.”

The Gloucester County Public Works Complex is located at 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton.
The county’s August vaccination schedule can be found here: https://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=177.

“Getting tested and beginning to quarantine will drastically stop the spread of COVID-19,” Damminger said. “Rapid testing is available by appointment at the Gloucester County Health Department. Please call 856-218-4142 to schedule Monday through Friday.”