New Jersey on Thursday reported another 2,824 confirmed COVID-19 cases and eight additional deaths as data showed an increase in the state’s test positivity rate over the July 4th weekend. The statewide positivity rate for tests conducted Saturday — the most recent day with available data — was 15.92%. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers positivity rates above 10% to be “high.” However, the positivity rate is substantially lower than its peak of 40.83% on Jan. 1 during the height of omicron. New Jersey’s rate of transmission remained at 1.04 on Thursday. A transmis…