Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in New Jersey
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April 22, 2021
Sridhar // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in New Jersey
The United States by April 21 had reached 569,404 deaths due to COVID-19 and more than 31.9 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Amid the grim numbers come two bright spots: As of Feb. 2, more Americans had been vaccinated for COVID-19 than had been infected; and since then, rolling averages for case counts and deaths have been on the decline.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in New Jersey using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100k residents from 4/13/2021 to 4/19/2021. Ties are broken by total new cases.
As has been true throughout America’s COVID-19 history, every state—and even every county—has its own COVID-19 story, driven by local policies and behaviors. Keep reading to see where infection rates are highest in your home state.
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#21. Mercer County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 180 (663 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 38.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,929 (32,806 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.4 (5 new deaths, +25% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 250 (918 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 5.2%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 38.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,929 (32,806 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.4 (5 new deaths, +25% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 250 (918 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 5.2%
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Cumberland County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 206 (308 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 29.5% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,766 (16,098 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.0 (3 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 277 (414 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 5.7%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 29.5% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,766 (16,098 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.0 (3 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 277 (414 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 5.7%
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Zeete // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Somerset County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 217 (714 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 25.7% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,775 (28,864 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.2 (4 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (815 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 6.6%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 25.7% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,775 (28,864 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.2 (4 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (815 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 6.6%
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#18. Cape May County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 223 (205 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 23.6% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,535 (8,776 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 216 (199 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 4.4%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 23.6% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,535 (8,776 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 216 (199 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 4.4%
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#17. Ocean County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 227 (1,378 new cases, -28% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 22.3% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,073 (73,305 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.1 (31 new deaths, +11% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 341 (2,068 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.3%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 22.3% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,073 (73,305 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 5.1 (31 new deaths, +11% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 341 (2,068 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.3%
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Apc106 // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Burlington County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 237 (1,056 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 18.8% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,641 (42,935 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.4 (15 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 184 (821 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.1%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 18.8% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,641 (42,935 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.4 (15 new deaths, +50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 184 (821 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.1%
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#15. Bergen County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 241 (2,249 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 17.5% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,584 (98,660 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.6 (34 new deaths, +112% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 300 (2,798 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.2%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 17.5% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,584 (98,660 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.6 (34 new deaths, +112% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 300 (2,798 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.2%
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#14. Hunterdon County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 244 (303 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 16.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 7,452 (9,268 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.8 (1 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 137 (171 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.0%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 16.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 7,452 (9,268 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.8 (1 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 137 (171 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.0%
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#13. Morris County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 253 (1,245 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 13.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,882 (48,603 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.4 (7 new deaths, -42% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 244 (1,198 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 6.8%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 13.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,882 (48,603 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.4 (7 new deaths, -42% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 244 (1,198 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 6.8%
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#12. Camden County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 267 (1,354 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 8.6% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,352 (52,431 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.8 (9 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 246 (1,248 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.5%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 8.6% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,352 (52,431 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.8 (9 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 246 (1,248 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.5%
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Gloucester County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 272 (792 new cases, +7% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 6.8% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,935 (28,973 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.1 (9 new deaths, +125% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 204 (595 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 9.7%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 6.8% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,935 (28,973 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.1 (9 new deaths, +125% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 204 (595 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 9.7%
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Bob Jagendorf // Wikicommons
#10. Atlantic County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 283 (747 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 3.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,537 (30,420 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (5 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 242 (639 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 10.9%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 3.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,537 (30,420 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (5 new deaths, -67% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 242 (639 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 10.9%
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Salem County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 285 (178 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 2.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,034 (5,636 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.6 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 276 (172 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 9.7%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 2.4% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,034 (5,636 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.6 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 276 (172 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 9.7%
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LittleGun // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Monmouth County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 286 (1,771 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 2.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,844 (73,288 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.4 (21 new deaths, +11% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 250 (1,549 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.6%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 2.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,844 (73,288 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.4 (21 new deaths, +11% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 250 (1,549 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.6%
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Zeete // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Middlesex County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 292 (2,411 new cases, -7% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 0.0% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,937 (90,241 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.9 (24 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 274 (2,262 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.5%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 0.0% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,937 (90,241 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.9 (24 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 274 (2,262 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.5%
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#6. Union County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 310 (1,724 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 6.2% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,387 (68,915 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.9 (16 new deaths, -6% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 341 (1,898 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.9%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 6.2% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,387 (68,915 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.9 (16 new deaths, -6% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 341 (1,898 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.9%
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Warren County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 315 (332 new cases, +5% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 7.9% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,860 (9,327 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.9 (1 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 218 (230 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.0%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 7.9% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,860 (9,327 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.9 (1 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 218 (230 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.0%
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#4. Hudson County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 320 (2,155 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 9.6% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,769 (85,856 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.6 (31 new deaths, +24% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (2,187 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.9%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 9.6% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,769 (85,856 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 4.6 (31 new deaths, +24% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (2,187 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.9%
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Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock
#3. Essex County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 364 (2,906 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 24.7% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,636 (92,965 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.9 (31 new deaths, +138% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 357 (2,850 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.0%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 24.7% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,636 (92,965 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.9 (31 new deaths, +138% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 357 (2,850 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 8.0%
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Sussex County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 369 (518 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 26.4% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,381 (13,179 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.7 (1 new deaths, -75% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 206 (289 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 10.0%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 26.4% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 9,381 (13,179 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.7 (1 new deaths, -75% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 206 (289 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 10.0%
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Sridhar // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Passaic County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 423 (2,122 new cases, +21% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 44.9% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,881 (69,658 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.4 (17 new deaths, -23% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 367 (1,840 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 11.1%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in New Jersey: 44.9% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,881 (69,658 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.4 (17 new deaths, -23% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 367 (1,840 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 11.1%
