Full Notification

Below is an update on COVID-19 from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla
 
The Hoboken Health Department has reported the following, new COVID-19 cases since the last update:
 
May 22 – 28: 5 cases
May 29 – June 4: 6 cases
June 5 – 11: 9 cases
June 12 – 18: 8 cases
June 19 - 21: 1 case
 
Thankfully, Hoboken has not had any residents hospitalized for 30 straight days, which is welcome news. Fatalities remain unchanged at 52, while the total amount of known cases since the start of the pandemic is now 5,073. As of Friday, 97% of Hoboken residents ages 65 and up, 65% of residents over the age of 18, and 58% of all residents of any age were provided at least a first-vaccine dose.
 
There is no doubt that the positive trends are a result of the hard work and sacrifices of so many in our community. The choices you made – from wearing a mask, avoiding large gatherings, waiting to see friends and family until it was safe to do so, and most recently, getting vaccinated – certainly saved lives and are helping us return back to normal.
 
Walk-in vaccination clinics on Tuesday, Thursday
 
Our next walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic will take place today (Tuesday) from 4 pm until 7 pm at 605 Jackson Street thanks to our partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding. The Johnson & Johnson (ages 18+, one-dose) and Pfizer (ages 12+, two-doses) will all be offered at the clinic. Appointments are optional, and can be scheduled at www.hobokennj.gov/medicinemanvaccine.
 
Better Life Pharmacy will also host a walk-up vaccine clinic on Thursday at the Hoboken Housing Authority at 221 Jackson Street (community room) from 3-7 pm. The Johnson & Johnson (ages 18+ one-dose), Pfizer (ages 12+, two-doses) and Moderna (ages 18+, two-doses) vaccines will all be offered. No appointment is needed.
 
Pop-up vaccination clinics at Hoboken Terminal
 
Carepoint will host pop-up vaccine clinics on Thursday (June 24), Tuesday (June 29) and Thursday (July 1) from 4-6 pm at Hoboken Terminal. Walk-ins are welcome with no appointment necessary. The Moderna vaccine will be offered for anyone 18 years of age or older.
 
Contact tracing update
 
Over the past month, the vast majority of new infections we’ve seen in Hoboken have been from unvaccinated individuals. While there have been a select few breakthrough infections, these cases have been mild or asymptomatic and without serious illness. This is further proof that the vaccine is working as intended – both preventing the large majority of cases, and for those rare cases where infection has occurred, preventing hospitalizations.
 
Trends in Hoboken are reflecting those across the State of New Jersey, where the large majority of new infections are also coming from those who are unvaccinated.
 
Delta variant
 
While we’ve made major progress here in Hoboken and New Jersey with our vaccination rates, experts are cautioning that unvaccinated people may soon be at a higher risk of contracting the virus due to the new Delta variant. This new variant, which is the dominant strain in Europe, is projected to become the dominant strain in the United States, and is substantially more transmissible and believed to cause more severe disease compared to the current virus.
 
The COVID-19 vaccines are still known to be effective in preventing infection against the new variant, which makes it all the more important to get vaccinated, if you haven’t already. It’s the best way we can combat this new strain and prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in our region. And if you’re already vaccinated, I encourage you to reach out to any friends or family that has not yet been vaccinated and let them know that the vaccine is safe, effective and free.
 
Thank you to Prompt MD
 
Recently, Dr. Javed Islam and his team at Prompt MD moved their COVID-19 testing operations back to their office at 309 First Street. Their partnership in opening Hoboken’s second mass testing site at 605 Jackson Street was invaluable as we battled through the pandemic’s surge over the past year. I sincerely thank Dr. Islam, Marilyn Noble, Star Labs, and the entire Prompt MD staff for playing a major role in providing one of the most well utilized and efficient COVID-19 testing sites in the region. An incredible 18,649 COVID-19 tests were provided to Hoboken residents and Hoboken business employees through Prompt MD at 605 Jackson Street.
 
Although they no longer operate at 605 Jackson Street, Prompt MD will continue to offer COVID-19 testing at their First Street location.
 
Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding will continue to provide COVID-19 testing at 605 Jackson Street on Wednesdays, which can be scheduled at www.hobokennj.gov/medicineman.
 
Upcoming Blood Drive this Friday, June 25^th
 
The next City-sponsored blood drive will take place Friday, June 25th at the Multi Service Center (124 Grand Street) from 12 noon until 6pm with Vitalant New Jersey. You must have an appointment 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 go to:https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/53331
 
Congratulations to Branding Shorts
 
Finally, I want to extend my congratulations to the Hoboken-based video production company, Branding Shorts for winning a 2021 Telly Award for their video, “The Mile in the Eye”! Produced in-house in June of 2020, the 15-minute video gives a first-hand account of how we as a City came together, as a community to confront the challenges of the pandemic. You can view the award-winning video on their website, https://www.brandingshorts.com/mile. We will be also screening the video preceding Movies Under the Stars on Wednesday night from 8:45 until 9 pm at Pier A.
 
As always, thank you Hoboken and please stay safe.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor