By: Matt McGovern (LINCS COVID-19 Epidemiologist/Data Manager)

COVID-19 has continued to spread throughout Morris County and the state of New Jersey. This most recent surge of cases started in July and has slowly continued to rise in August. The delta variant is the primary cause for the increase in cases and is the most prominent variant of concern in our county and state (as of 8/14/21). According to the latest COVID-19 Activity Level Report (as of 8/21/21), our county and state have continued to see increases in case rates, percent of people going to the hospital with covid-like-illnesses, and percent positivity (the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed that are positive). To view the current cases and trends in the county and state, click: https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/datadashboard and select “cases and trends,” you will be able to filter through the different counties on the right by clicking “Filter by County.”

To better protect our county community, and state alike, it is imperative to get tested if you are experiencing any symptoms or if you have come into contact with someone that has tested positive. To learn more about what to do if you are sick, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html . To learn more about isolation and quarantine, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html . For an update on testing sites within and near Morris County, please visit: https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Residents/Health/Coronavirus/Testing-Sites .

In addition, the hope is that the recent rise in cases will be reduced with increased vaccine compliance in certain areas. Morris County is one of the leading vaccinated counties in the entire state of NJ. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/your-vaccination.html . To find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine sites in Morris County, please go to: https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Residents/Health/Coronavirus/Vaccination . We are currently in the process of updating all vaccine sites within and near Morris County. This site also has information pertaining to scheduling appointments, attending a pop-up clinic, or learning about the homebound resident vaccination program, as well as preliminary information for booster shots, which will be made available to immunocompromised individuals. Check this website for updates regarding booster shots. You can also visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/ to schedule a vaccine appointment near you.

I can be reached via email at mmcgovern@mcpik.org.