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:
 
August 9: 7
August 10: 12
August 11: 11
August 12: 12
August 13: 18
August 14: 0
August 15: 8
August 16: 3
 
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been a total of 5,323 known, confirmed cases and 5,034 full recoveries, while fatalities remain unchanged at 52. Eight individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 at Hoboken University Medical Center, which includes three Hoboken residents; none are vaccinated.
 
For the 113 total cases during the month of August, 59 have been attributed to those who have been fully vaccinated, 51 unvaccinated, and three partially vaccinated.
 
For the 288 total cases from June 1 through August 16, 161 have been attributed to those who have been fully vaccinated, 119 unvaccinated and 8 partially vaccinated.
 
No hospitalizations or severe illness in Hoboken’s breakthrough cases
 
No Hoboken resident who has had a breakthrough case has been hospitalized, providing continued evidence that the vaccine is extremely effective at preventing severe illness or death, and is literally saving the lives of Hoboken residents on a regular basis. With the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant and cases rising across the region, there is no better time to get vaccinated if you have not done so already. Doing so will not only protect you, but will protect the health of your family, friends and community members.
 
FDA and CDC authorizes Pfizer or Moderna booster shots for immunocompromised
 
On Friday, the FDA and CDC authorized a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna booster shots for individuals with moderately to severely compromised immune systems, at least four weeks after a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna. Individuals should receive the same type of booster shot as their first two-doses. At the current time, the CDC does not recommend those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine receive any additional third shot.
 
The CDC recommends individuals who have been fully vaccinated and fitting the following criteria receive the Pfizer or Moderna booster shot:
 
-Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
-Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
-Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
-Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
-Advanced or untreated HIV infection
-Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
 
For more information on vaccinations for the immunocompromised, visit the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html
 
Vaccine clinics with all three vaccines and booster shots – Tuesday and Friday
 
The Hoboken Health Department, in partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding, will be hosting a walk-in vaccine clinic on Tuesday at 605 Jackson Street from 3-7 pm where all residents who are immunocompromised can receive a third booster shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Anyone who needs a first or second dose of any of the three vaccines can also get vaccinated at the clinic, with no appointment or registration needed.
 
On Friday, the Hoboken Health Department is also partnering with Hoboken Family Pharmacy to host a walk-in vaccine clinic, which will have access to all three vaccines for first or second doses, as well as Pfizer or Moderna booster shots. The clinic will take place from 8 am until 12 pm at 605 Jackson Street, with no registration or appointment needed.
 
For a full list of pharmacies in Hoboken offering any of the three COVID-19 vaccines, please visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/vaccine. Any location offering the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will be able to provide access to a booster shot to those individuals who meet the criteria.
 
Hoboken vaccination rates
 
All ages: 70% (first dose)
18 and over: 78% (first dose)
30 and over: 87% (first dose)
65 and over: nearly 100% (first dose)

All ages: 64% (second dose)
18 and over: 71% (second dose)
30 and over: 81% (second dose)
65 and over: 96% (second dose)
 
Ages of and vaccination status of recent cases
 
Since the last update on Monday, August 9, the Hoboken Health Department reports cases attributed to the following age groups:
 
0-16: 9
17-30: 35
31-40: 17
41-50: 10
51-60: 4
61-75: 5
76+: 2
 
Contact tracing update
 
The Hoboken Health Department has reported the following trends from recent cases:
 
-Travel both domestic and international
-Attended a large event such as BBQ, baby shower, wedding, sports venue, bars, or the St. Ann’s Feast
-Travel to the Jersey Shore and upstate NY
-Age 17 to 30 continue to have the highest increase in positive cases
-Exposed via another household/family contact
-Social gatherings of family and friends
-Children exposed at extracurricular activities, daycare, and camp, with the most increases observed in daycares
-More cases, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, are symptomatic
 
CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women
 
The CDC has recently updated their guidance, strongly recommending that all pregnant women, those who are breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant, to get vaccinated. According to the CDC, pregnant women and recently pregnant women are at an increased risk for a severe illness when contracting the virus, which may lead to pregnancy complications.
 
For more information on this updated recommendation, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html
 
Updated testing schedule
 
The Hoboken Health Department has seen a substantial uptick in demand for COVID-19 testing, and we are continuing to provide access to regular and reliable tests. For the most up-to-date schedule and locations for testing, please visit www.hobokennj.gov/testing. We are also working to add rapid testing back into the regular schedule through Dr. Brahmbhatt and Riverside Medical Group in the near future.
 
Please note that Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding typically provides COVID-19 testing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 605 Jackson Street, but will not be holding a testing clinic this upcoming Friday (August 20). The State of New Jersey is hosting testing on Friday (August 20) at 221 Jackson Street from 1-7 pm for those who need testing on Friday.
 
Construction schedule
 
Going forward, construction updates for the City of Hoboken can be found on the City’s new dedicated construction page at www.hobokennj.gov/construction. This week’s construction update, which includes information on water main infrastructure upgrades, the Northwest Resiliency Park, roadway repaving and Vision Zero improvements, and more can be found at that link.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor