Full Notification

Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:

The Hoboken Health Department has reported the following, new COVID-19 cases in Hoboken:
 
February 12: 23
February 13: 9
February 14: 11
February 15: 13
February 16: 51
February 17: 50
February 18: 26
February 19: 21
 
The recent two days over 50 positive tests reflect a backlog and delay of cases reported by certain labs, which has also occurred at a larger scale at the State level this past week.
 
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hoboken has had 3,193 known, confirmed cases. Unfortunately, we were informed this week of the passing of two additional Hoboken residents in January due to COVID-19, a female in her early 80s and a male in his early 90s. I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to their family and loved ones. Hoboken has sadly lost 41 residents who contracted COVID-19, 38 over the age of 61. Hoboken University Medical Center is currently treating 21 patients with COVID-19, including six Hoboken residents.
 
The Hoboken Health Department reports that as of Thursday, 2,431 residents have fully recovered from COVID-19 who contracted the virus, a number that continues to update on a daily basis.
 
Contact tracing
 
The Hoboken Health Department reports that the majority of recent cases mirror previous trends:

• Travel, both non-essential and work related, outside of New Jersey, including to hot-spot regions
• Indoor and social gatherings between non-household members
• Children who have tested positive due to out of school gatherings and social activities 

Get tested for COVID-19
 
I know that we are all looking forward to getting together with friends and family when it is safe to do so. While the safest option remains to stay home with immediate family members, if you do make the decision to get together with individuals outside the household in the near future, please consider keeping groups small, taking advantage of Hoboken’s robust testing options, and planning ahead. A proactive COVID-19 test, quarantining before and after the test, and urging everyone else do so as well is far safer than the alternative of taking no precautions.
 
Testing remains one of the keys to limiting outbreaks and ensuring continued safe practices until widespread vaccinations can take place, and we are continuing to offer 3,000 tests per week with Riverside Medical Group, Prompt MD, Medicine Man Pharmacy and ivee at the same weekly schedule. In addition, the New Jersey Department of Health has offered to continue COVID-19 testing in the Hoboken Housing Authority on March 5 and March 19 at 221 Jackson Street (1-7 pm) on a first-come, first-serve basis with no appointment required.
 
For the full COVID-19 testing schedule and appointment information, please visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/testing.
 
Update on vaccines
 
Fortunately, if the inclement weather across the country does not disrupt the supply provided to the State from the federal government, we will be able to triple our first dose vaccine allocation for next week to 300. While it is still under the 500 first-does vaccines we were provided in the first few weeks of vaccines distribution, it is still a positive step in the right direction. In addition to 300 first doses, we’ll also be providing another 500 second dose vaccinations this upcoming week. This weekend, Riverside Medical Group will be providing second dose vaccinations to Hoboken seniors from our pre-registration list, and we are thankful for our continued partnership with Dr. Raj Brahmbhatt and his team.
 
Overall, we have provided 1,768 first dose vaccinations to Hoboken residents, and 318 second dose vaccinations through the Hoboken Health Department at Hoboken University Medical Center. These numbers don’t include vaccines administered through the County, Riverside and at other New Jersey sites.
 
As before, if we are able to receive even more doses from the State in the weeks ahead, we will be ready to substantially increase our vaccination efforts. I thank all of our seniors and high-risk residents for their patience as we continue to make progress on our pre-registration lists.
 
Billing issue
 
If you have received a recent bill from Riverside Medical Group for a COVID-19 test, please disregard it. Riverside notified my office that it sent out bills in error.
 
NJRA small business grants
 
The New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA) will be initiating another grant opportunity for small businesses. Starting Monday, February 22, small businesses can apply for a Small Business Lease Emergency Assistance Grant Program providing commercial rent relief grants up to $10,000.
 
The application opens on Monday at 9:00 AM and is first come, first serve for small businesses. I encourage all Hoboken small business owners who qualify to apply as soon as applications are available. For more information, visit https://www.njra.us/smallbusinessleasegrant.
 
Discounted PPE for small businesses through NJEDA
 
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is offering discounted PPE of up to 70% for small and micro businesses. If you are a Hoboken small business owner, you can find out if you’re eligible and get more information by visiting covid19.nj.gov/ppe.
 
Supporting small businesses
 
The Hoboken Business Alliance and Heal Hoboken have partnered on an initiative to support small businesses through a “Share The Love” gift card program. Residents can purchase $25 gift cards for only $15 at certain participating businesses, through February 24 while supplies last. For more information on the program and a list of participating businesses, please visit http://hobokenbusinessalliance.com/share-the-love. Heal Hoboken is offering healthcare workers the opportunity to purchase up to four gift cards at the participating businesses.
 
City-sponsored blood drive on February 26
 
The next City-sponsored blood drive will take place Friday, February 26th at the Multi Service Center (124 Grand Street) from 12 pm - 6 pm with Vitalant New Jersey. An appointment is required to donate, and please be sure to wear a mask. Those who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID within the last 14 days will not be eligible to donate. To sign up for an appointment, please visit https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/53717.
 
Thank you, Hoboken – please continue to take the precautions of double-masking, social distancing, avoiding travel outside of New Jersey, and limiting indoor social gatherings to help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor