CDC recommends masks in counties where COVID is spreading fast. Here's where in New Jersey

UPDATE:Latest information on growing COVID spread. Everyone should wear masks indoors

Everyone in counties considered hot spots for the spread of COVID-19 should mask up indoors — even those who are vaccinated — as the highly transmissible delta variant of coronavirus surges across the country, according to new federal guidelines.

Those hot spots now include more than half of the counties in New Jersey, with  Somerset and Gloucester joining the list on Thursday night. Residents of areas with "substantial" or "high" rates of transmission, based on federal Centers for Disease Control metrics, were urged to don face coverings regardless of vaccination status under the new guidance issued Monday.

Other counties on the list are Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union, as of Friday. Monmouth has the highest rate of transmission in the state, according to the CDC. Only one county — Cumberland — is considered to have a low rate of transmission. The list is updated daily. 

Gov. Phil Murphy has not reinstated the mask mandate he lifted May 28 as a kick-off to what he hoped would be a normal summer in New Jersey. But after a dip in COVID-19 diagnoses in June, cases have quadrupled this month, leading to concern about a fourth wave of the pandemic.

COVID cases statewide have climbed to their highest levels since early May, driven by the spread of the delta variant. On Friday, 964 new positive diagnoses were reported.

Murphy and Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli on Tuesday "strongly recommended" that everyone mask up in crowded indoor settings and where the vaccine status of others is unknown, and where some who are present may be immunocompromised or at severe risk of complications from COVID-19. The mask requirement was never lifted for mass transit, transportation hubs, health care settings, and state offices.

Businesses:North Jersey businesses plan to leave mask decisions to their customers

Despite the accelerating rates of infection, the number of patients hospitalized with severe COVID has not climbed as quickly. Vaccines have proven effective in preventing severe illness and death. With very few exceptions, those hospitalized are unvaccinated.

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Earlier in the week, Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, the epicenter of the pandemic in March 2020, had only three COVID patients, compared to 81 during last winter's surge and 251 at the pandemic's peak, said Dr. Thomas Birch, an infectious disease specialist at the hospital. One of the COVID patients was in the intensive care unit. All were unvaccinated.

And throughout the Hackensack Meridian Health system of 13 hospitals, fewer than 100 patients combined were hospitalized with COVID earlier this week, said Dr. Daniel Varga, chief physician executive. The average age was lower than in previous waves of the pandemic, with most being 18 to 40 years old. 

"I don't think we have anybody in the hospital who's been vaccinated," Varga said. 

Lindy Washburn is a senior health care reporter for NorthJersey.com. To keep up-to-date about how changes in the medical world affect the health of you and your family, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: washburn@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @lindywa