Updated COVID Risk Levels In NJ: See New CDC Map

Alexis Tarrazi
Updated ·2 min read

NEW JERSEY — The two-year anniversary of when the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced in New Jersey is just days away and, according to new figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

In fact, most people in New Jersey no longer need to wear masks indoors, according to the federal agency.

Last week, the CDC revised the system it uses to deem where certain mitigation factors are encouraged. The agency uses hospital bed capacity, hospital admissions and new COVID-19 cases to determine how high virus levels are in a county.

Each New Jersey county currently reports either low or medium COVID-19 levels. The state is now split with low levels being reported primarily in the north and medium levels in the south.

Low COVID-19 Level Counties:

  • Bergen

  • Essex

  • Hudson

  • Hunterdon

  • Mercer

  • Middlesex

  • Monmouth

  • Morris

  • Ocean

  • Passaic

  • Somerset

  • Sussex

  • Warren

Medium COVID-19 Level Counties:

  • Atlantic

  • Burlington

  • Cape May

  • Camden

  • Cumberland

  • Gloucester

  • Salem

  • Union

Masks aren't recommended indoors for people in low counties, while they are only recommended in medium counties if you are at elevated risk for severe illness and speak to your doctor.

Masks are recommended indoors for people in high communities, of which there are none to date in New Jersey.

Everyone is still being encouraged to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms.

The new CDC guidelines come as New Jersey and local communities move to drop indoor mask mandates.

Go. Phil Murphy announced on Feb. 7 that the statewide school mask mandate will end on March 7 but left it up to individual districts and daycare centers to decide if they wish to continue mask requirements afterward if they choose. Read More: Schools Can Extend Mask Mandate, But NJ Requirement Ends In March

Additionally, as of March 7, New Jersey students will also no longer have to wear masks on school buses. This change falls in line with new guidance released by the Center for Disease Control and Protection on Feb. 25. Read More: School Bus Mask Mandate Dropped: What Does It Mean For NJ Kids?

Effective Feb. 25, the CDC announced it "does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/childcare programs."

— Additional reporting by Mike Carraggi

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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This article originally appeared on the Basking Ridge Patch