Warren County’s Weekly COVID Cases Up 4 Percent: See Updates

WARREN COUNTY, NJ — The coronavirus continues to take a grim toll on Warren County, impacting local businesses and schools in the region.

Warren County reported 5,882 cases on Saturday, an increase of 227 and 4 percent over the previous week.

The rise is reflected in the state Department of Health's most recent "COVID-19 Activity Level Report," which is issued weekly. The most recent report, released Thursday, says Warren County is now in the "red" zone for coronavirus cases.

The "red zone" means the daily new COVID-19 virus case rate, per 100,000 people, is "very high" currently in 14 counties. That means they exceed 25 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day average. The "orange" zone means they have a rate of 10 to 25 cases per 100,000 people.

The latest reports say the overall coronavirus activity level is either "moderate," or "yellow," or "high," or "orange," in all New Jersey counties.

If the overall activity is at 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.

This week, the report from the Warren County Health Department noted the fourth week in a row with fewer new COVID-19 infections than reported in the previous week. There were 279 in last week’s report, 295 the week before that, and 309 on Jan. 27, down from the peak increase of 419 the week before.

Officials noted that the numbers reflect decreased testing due to the winter weather. Testing is available whether you are symptomatic or just have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, so if these apply to you, get tested to avoid spreading the virus, they said.

The Warren Department of Health noted six new deaths reported from COVID-related causes is the second highest in months as seven deaths were reported two weeks ago.

Warren County officials provided the following breakdown of cases by town followed by those who have recovered, as of Feb. 11:

• Allamuchy, 194, 173
• Alpha, 110, 104
• Belvidere, 115, 112
• Blairstown, 271, 260
• Franklin, 119, 112
• Frelinghuysen, 160, 135
• Greenwich, 311, 294
• Hackettstown, 667, 606
• Hardwick, 48, 40
• Harmony, 104, 93
• Hope, 66, 63
• Independence, 203, 183
• Knowlton, 150, 142
• Liberty, 96, 85
• Lopatcong, 761, 671
• Mansfield, 436, 395
• Oxford, 86, 82
• Phillipsburg, 766, 716
• Pohatcong, 193, 178
• Washington Borough, 333, 316
• Washington Township, 262, 246
• White, 197, 169
• Total, 5,648, 4,175

In Warren County there are a total of 457 cases reported in long-term care facilities where they have been 189 deaths and 140 recovered.

Fluctuations in numbers from previous dates may be due to cases being transferred out of jurisdiction and/or further investigation revealing that the case was incorrectly reported to the NJDOH/local health department as confirmed.

The figures reflect COVID-19 positive cases as of the date and time indicated, some cases may be pending, or have yet to be entered into the system.

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