All NJ should now hide inside regardless of vax, CDC says

The entire state of New Jersey now falls under CDC guidelines for wearing masks indoors, according to the federal agency’s latest virus transmission rate map in the United States.

Each of the state’s 21 counties has turned red or amber, indicating “high” or “significant” rates of COVID-19 cases – triggering the federal government’s recommendation of indoor masks even for those vaccinated.

According to NJ.com, only 10 counties in the Garden State had such high virus levels at the start of the month.

The CDC released its new mask-wearing guidelines in late July amid a contagious wave of Delta variants across the country.

The CDC has four categories of transmission levels – “low,” “moderate,” “substantial” and “high” – based on the number of new cases per 100,000 population or a high number of positive tests.

Areas with 50 new cases per 100,000 population are considered “important” transmission counties, while those with 100 or more new cases per 100,000 population are considered “high,” according to CDC guidelines.

Sections of New Jersey reported for “substantial” transmission include most of the northern half of the state surrounding New York City.

Nine counties are currently marked with “high” levels of the virus, mostly in the southern half of the state: Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Hunterdon.

North Jersey’s COVID-19 rates are still lower than in neighboring New York City, all of which is now experiencing “high” transmission rates, the CDC said.

Meanwhile, 14 counties in New York City – all in the upstate – are experiencing “moderate” transmission and do not fall under the new mask directive, the CDC said.