OCEAN COUNTY, NJ – Twelve people in Ocean County tested positive for the most contagious coronavirus variant that originated in the United Kingdom, the largest number of cases in New Jersey, state officials said on Monday.
There are 31 cases detected across the state, said Judith Persichilli, the state’s health commissioner, during her update on the virus. Of the 31 cases, three are in people who have traveled, she said. She did not say if any of the travel cases were from Ocean County.
Burlington County and Essex County reported four cases each, and neighboring Monmouth County, two, Persichilli said. Middlesex and Morris counties each have two cases of the variant, and Atlantic, Hudson, Mercer, Passaic and Warren each have a case, she said.
Authorities are eyeing the spread of the most contagious variant of the virus, which was first detected in Ocean County in early January. This case, in a man in his 60s who had not traveled or had clear exposure to other people who were ill, was the first in the state. The man recovered later, but authorities reported in late January the death of a Wayne man who had significant underlying symptoms due to complications from COVID-19 caused by the UK variant.
The variant, first seen in the UK, is about 50 percent more contagious than the “wild type” virus, according to David Cennimo, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases and an assistant professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Brian Lippai, public information officer for the Ocean County Health Department, said he had no details on the 12 Ocean County cases.
“I only know that many cases were of people who traveled,” said Lippai. “It is certainly something that the state and we are monitoring. More cases are expected, but we are still learning about how much protection is being provided by the new vaccines ”.
Governor Phil Murphy said concerns about the variants underscored the need for New Jersey residents to continue wearing masks and practicing social detachment to slow the spread of the virus.
“It’s a big part of why we’re being cautious,” said Murphy, noting that Persichilli and his team are “looking like a hawk”.
“We want to make sure that we are not considering anything that is unknown,” he said.
The transmission rate dropped both across the state and in the central region of the state, which includes Ocean County. Across the state, the transmission rate was 8.5 and in Ocean County it was 8.73, said Persichilli.
And while those numbers are encouraging, Murphy said it is important to continue all efforts while the state continues to distribute the vaccine.
“This is not for us for the next few months,” he said. “Keep doing this (masks and distance) plus the vaccine.”
With reporting by Montana Samuels
Click here to get patch notifications by email or download our app so that breaking news alerts are sent directly to your phone. Got a news tip? The e-mail [email protected]