New Jersey reported another 27,975 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, an increase of about 35% from the day before as the omicron variant rages through the state.
On top of those lab-confirmed cases, there were another 7,387 "probable" cases based on rapid antigen tests, the state added.
The growth in infections is almost impossible to put into scale -- before Dec. 22, the state had never reported even 7,000 confirmed cases in a day.
Based on the latest data, someone in New Jersey is now testing positive an average of every 2.5 seconds.
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Amid that surge, as of late Wednesday, the state reported 3,604 COVID hospitalizations -- up 10% from the prior day and quickly nearing the worst levels seen during the surge last winter.