Full Notification

Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:
 
The Hoboken Health Department reports the following new COVID-19 cases since the last update:
 
July 16: 0
July 17: 10
July 18: 4
July 19: 3
July 20: 0
July 21: 6
July 22: 4
 
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hoboken has had 5,107 known, confirmed cases, along with 4,990 recoveries, while fatalities remain unchanged at 52. Carepoint is not currently treating any COVID-19 patients from Hoboken.
 
Vaccination rates in Hoboken
 
Hoboken reached an important milestone this week, hitting 70% of adults becoming fully vaccinated. Nonetheless, our hope is to increase this rate in the weeks to come.
 
All ages: 68% (first dose)
18 and over: 76% (first dose)
65 and over: nearly 100% (first dose)
 
All ages: 62% (second dose)
18 and over: 70% (second dose)
65 and over: 95% (second dose)
 
Delta variant and increase in cases
 
Across the country, the highly transmissible delta variant now makes up approximately 83% of cases in the United States, a substantial increase since a 50% rate in July according to the CDC.
 
It is abundantly clear, given the data, that vaccinated individuals have a vastly greater degree of protection from the delta variant than those who are unvaccinated. Among our breakthrough cases of those who are fully vaccinated, none have been hospitalized, and the large majority have had mild to no symptoms. In Hoboken, and across the country, it has become a pandemic of the unvaccinated, who remain at substantial risk that is increasing by the day.
 
I’m encouraged that several residents who previously were unvaccinated, chose to get the shot this week with 38 residents getting the vaccine (first or second shot) at Tuesday’s clinic with Medicine Man.
 
For other recommendations we put out in the last update on staying safe, please click here: https://local.nixle.com/alert/8844688/.
 
Update on contact tracing and trends for July cases
 
Of the cases in July to date, 32 cases have been residents who have been fully vaccinated, while 26 have been from those who have been unvaccinated. Since the last update, 10 of the positive cases were those who were vaccinated, while 15 were those who were fully vaccinated.
 
The age breakdown of known, confirmed cases since June 18, 2021 is as follows:
 
0-16: 8
17-30: 41
31-40: 20
41-50: 4
51-60: 5
61-75: 1
76+: 0
Unknown ages: 2
 
Contact tracing from the Hoboken Health Department, which is ongoing for each positive case, has observed the following trends from recent cases:

• Exposed via another household/family contact
• Social gatherings of family and friends, especially ages 40 and under
• Attended a large event such as a BBQ, baby shower, wedding, sports venue, bars
• Travel both domestic and international
• Children exposed at extracurricular activities
• Community spread with exposure unknown

Guidelines for getting tested
 
As is widely known, if you are fully vaccinated your chances of getting COVID-19 substantially diminish. However, given the additional breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals, Dr. Javed Islam from Prompt MD recommends that fully vaccinated individuals who have prolonged, close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 quarantine and get tested at least 5-7 days after the latest exposure, even without symptoms. While this is a slight deviation from the CDC’s guidance, it is an extra layer of caution that I believe to be prudent given recent trends and an uptick in cases.
 
As before, no matter your vaccination status, you should get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19, without delay.
 
This article from CNN highlights additional information on recommendations for vaccinated individuals on exposure, tests, and more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/health/covid-vaccinated-people-guidelines-wellness/index.html
 
Vaccination and testing schedule
 
Given the uptick in cases and demand, the Hoboken Health Department has expanded COVID-19 testing for this upcoming week in partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy and Prompt MD. Below is the updated schedule for this upcoming week.
 
NEW: MONDAY testing clinic: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
 
Location: 605 Jackson Street 
Who: Hoboken residents, business employees
Date: Monday, July 26
Time: 9 am – 12 pm 
Type of testing: PCR
Link for appointments (required): http://www.hobokennj.gov/medicineman 
 
TUESDAY vaccine clinic: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding 

Location: 605 Jackson Street 
Who: Anyone who works, lives, or goes to school in Hoboken 
Day: Tuesdays, July 27 
Time: 4 - 7 pm 
Vaccine offered: Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer 
Ages: 18+ (Johnson & Johnson), 12+ (Pfizer) 
Sign-up for an appointment (optional): http://www.hobokennj.gov/medicinemanvaccine
 
** Walk-ins welcome, no appointment required** 
** Children ages 12 to 16 must be accompanied by a guardian ** 
 
WEDNESDAY testing clinic: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding 

Location: 605 Jackson Street 
Who: Hoboken residents, business employees
Date: Wednesday, July 28
Time: 4 - 7 pm 
Type of testing: PCR
Link for appointments (required): http://www.hobokennj.gov/medicineman 

THURSDAY vaccine clinic: Better Life Pharmacy 

Location: 221 Jackson Street (community room) 
Who: Anyone who works, lives, or goes to school in Hoboken 
Day: Thursday, July 29 
Time: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm 
Vaccine offered: Johnson & Johnson (one-dose), Moderna (two-doses) or Pfizer 
Ages: 12+ (Pfizer), 18+ (Johnson & Johnson, Moderna) 
 
** Walk-up vaccine clinic, no registration or appointment ** 
** Children ages 12 to 16 must be accompanied by a guardian ** 
 
NEW: THURSDAY testing clinic: Prompt MD
 
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Day: Thursday, July 29
Time: 8 am - 12:30 pm
Type of testing: PCR
Link for appointments (required): http://www.hobokennj.gov/promptmd
 
NEW: FRIDAY COVID-19 testing clinic: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
 
Location: 605 Jackson Street 
Who: Hoboken residents, business employees
Date: Friday, July 30
Time: 9 am - 12 pm 
Type of testing: PCR
Link for appointments (required): http://www.hobokennj.gov/medicineman 
 
Thank you Hoboken, please stay safe.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor