New Jersey on Friday reported another 24 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 888 positive tests as the transmission rate remains under 1. The state’s seven-day average for confirmed cases was 899 on Friday, down 9% from a week ago and 54% from a month ago as the recent massive wave driven by the omicron variant has largely receded. Prior to last week, the state’s daily average had not been below 1,000 since early August. Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order lifting the public health emergency that required masks in schools effective Monday, however, existing orders, directives and waivers rela…