Full Notification

Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:
 
Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken and New Jersey
 
The Hoboken Health Department has reported the following new COVID-19 cases:
 
November 18: 19
November 19: 32
 
32 cases yesterday represent a new record-high for a one-day increase in Hoboken. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hoboken has had 1,264 known, confirmed cases. 1,047 residents were confirmed by the Hoboken Health Department as having fully recovered. Fatalities remain unchanged at 31.
 
New Jersey reported 4,320 additional COVID-19 cases yesterday, along with 34 deaths. Five of the past six days have had over 4,000 cases. The seven-day average of reported, known cases is now higher than the first stage of the pandemic. The positivity rate for tests on Sunday was 11.74% state-wide, and rate of transmission is 1.42 (anything above 1 indicates the virus is spreading).
 
The Hoboken Health Department reported the following trends during contact tracing:

• Workplace exposure
• Infections related to school and daycare staff
• Infections with children through parents or other household members
• Infections with children through recreation or extracurricular activities
• Healthcare workers exposed at work
• Small social gatherings of family and friends
• Travel to high-risk areas

The numbers in Hoboken and New Jersey are troubling. We are without a doubt in the second wave of the virus, and it’s on all of us to do our part to keep our community and most vulnerable members safe. It’s critical to re-double our efforts in the coming weeks, to help mitigate the substantial increase in cases.  
 
Please continue to take the precautions we know can help keep us safe: avoid indoor gatherings, postpone socializing with others outside the household, social distance, wear a face mask, and wash your hands. If you can avoid traveling outside of New Jersey for any reason, please do so.
 
New partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy and ivee to increase COVID-19 testing
 
As mentioned in a previous update, we’ve recently seen the highest demand for COVID-19 testing since the earliest days of the pandemic. I’m pleased to share that we have entered into partnerships with two additional organizations, Medicine Man Pharmacy and ivee for COVID-19 testing through Wednesday. I’m greatly appreciative to Medicine Man owner Pete Sutaria, and ivee CEO LJ Troilo for working with us to expand testing options in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, as well as Dr. Islam from Prompt MD and Dr. Brahmbhatt from Riverside Medical for adding testing options to their existing operations.  
 
Updated testing options:

• ivee: On Tuesday, November 24, over 275 COVID-19 tests will be offered through the City’s partnership with ivee at the Multi-Service Center (124 Grand Street) for Hoboken residents between 8 am and 5 pm. Ivee offers PCR testing, and results will be emailed within 24-48 hours. To sign-up for testing, visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/ivee.
• Medicine Man Pharmacy: On Sunday, November 22, 125 COVID-19 tests will be offered through the City’s partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy at 605 Jackson Street for Hoboken residents between 9 am and 1 pm. Medicine Man Pharmacy offers rapid testing (BD Veritor Plus Antigen test), which will be emailed within 3-6 hours of testing. To sign-up for testing, visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/medicineman. Appointments will also become available for an additional 125 rapid tests on Wednesday, November 25 between 9 am and 1 pm, in the coming days.
• Prompt MD: In addition to new testing dates on Friday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 24, Prompt MD will be adding additional testing hours at 605 Jackson Street on Tuesday afternoon until 3 pm. Prompt MD offers PCR testing. To sign-up for testing, visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/promptmd. Prompt MD previously added testing this upcoming Friday and Tuesday, in addition to existing testing dates on Mondays and Thursdays.
• Riverside Medical Group: Testing appointments are currently full at Riverside Medical on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Appointments are normally available at http://www.hobokennj.gov/riverside.

Testing through Medicine Man Pharmacy, ivee and Riverside Medical Group is provided for Hoboken residents only, with proof of residency required at the time of testing. Testing through Prompt MD is provided for both Hoboken residents and business employees, with proof of residency or employment at a Hoboken establishment required at the time of testing. Prompt MD and ivee will make every effort to work with the laboratories to secure COVID-19 results by Thursday morning, however results could potentially take longer.
 
Due to the recently observed high cancellation rate, any resident who wishes to cancel or reschedule an appointment must do so at least 24 hours in advance. Those who do not show up for a scheduled appointment will not be permitted to book a future COVID-19 test.
 
About our new testing partners
 
About ivee: ivee believes in making health services accessible. Their platform delivers at-home health services, ranging from IV therapy to COVID testing. ivee currently services New York City, Long Island, Philadelphia, and Northern and Central New Jersey, and recently partnered with Philly Fighting COVID and the City of Philadelphia to run mass testing sites that see about 250 patients per day.  
 
About Medicine Man Pharmacy: Medicine Man Pharmacy, located at 511 Washington Street, is a full line pharmacy. It carries a wide range of products, from herbals, homeopathic, Dr. Oz recommended, and organic, to home health care, like wheelchairs, walkers, canes, rollators, and more.
 
Please avoid Thanksgiving gatherings with those outside the household
 
Health experts continue to strongly discourage Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends outside of the immediate household, and to celebrate with only the nuclear family this year. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention today recommended that residents not travel for the Thanksgiving holiday and stay home.
 
If it is absolutely unavoidable, please take the following steps:

1. Get a COVID-19 test
2. Insist all participants get a COVID-19 test
3. Quarantine until Thanksgiving
4. Keep family and friends outside the household to a minimum
5. Stay outdoors as much as possible
6. Wear face masks and social distance at all practical times

Additionally, for any college student returning home for Thanksgiving, please ensure he/she gets tested and quarantines before returning home. If it is possible for college students to remain on campus, as hard as it may be, please consider doing so.
 
Thank you Hoboken, please stay safe.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor