Morris, Monmouth, Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, and Cape May counties all rate as high, with the other 15 counties in the Garden State at the medium level.
Cases were rising sharply in New Jersey schools before the holidays, and with hospitalizations now at their highest level statewide since early May 2020, there is growing evidence that children are increasingly among those needing treatment outside the home.
All vacation and other paid leave was canceled for state prison guards through at least Monday, citing a pandemic staff shortage. A union president said staff mental health is in grave danger.
The New Jersey Hospital Association said hospitals in all regions of the state were being placed on "level red," which generally means visitors are restricted except in certain circumstances.