HOBOKEN, NJ – Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said, in a nightly coronavirus update on Monday, that the Hoboken Health Department noted seven new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Saturday, two Sunday, and two Monday, after a recent week in which there was only one new case. That brings the total of confirmed cases of Hoboken residents to 583.
Bhalla noted a “slight uptick” related to “travel outside of New Jersey to regions with a substantial rise in new cases.” Media reports have said that several states have suffered recent spikes, including states that lifted stay-at-home restrictions sooner.
Bhalla encouraged people to postpone travel to places such as Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, and other states with spikes, and said those who go there should get tested after coming back. See more of his update here.
This past Thursday, Bhalla said there had been one new case of coronavirus the previous day, but no new cases in the week before that.
When asked this week if any of the 11 new cases included attendees of the George Floyd demonstration in Hoboken on June 5, Bhalla’s spokesman replied, “None of the protesters tested positive for COVID-19 to date, with over 1,000 [Hoboken] residents tested.”
The city has now gone a month without a report of a death from covid. Thirty Hoboken residents have passed away due to the virus so far. There have been no new deaths reported since May 21.
On June 9, Bhalla said the city had learned of a woman in her eighties who had died of the virus a month earlier, but hadn’t been counted with residents. She was the 30th announced case.
Hoboken was one of the first cities to begin shutting down certain facilities and businesses in March. The state of New Jersey and city of Hoboken have been steadily reopening certain facilities and practices, like outdoor dining last week.
As facilities reopen, Bhalla urged wearing a mask and social distancing. The Centers for Disease Control currently recommends wearing a face covering to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.
More than 12,000 New Jersey residents have died from the virus. The daily death rate has been steadily declining since Thursday, April 30, when the state reached a high: 460 New Jerseyans had been lost to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes.
However, Gov. Phil Murphy has said he believes the state still must reopen slowly, based on data, to avoid another spike.
Here are other Hoboken coronavirus updates and resources:
LIBRARY
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Starting this week, residents can return library books and other materials by placing them in the library book/media dropbox in front of the library (500 Park Ave.) from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The library also will begin no contact “curbside pickup” service. Library patrons will be able to reserve the materials online, place their orders via email to [email protected], or call (201) 4202346, ext. 5102. For additional details, visit hobokenlibrary.org.
TESTING
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Any resident can get a 15-minute rapid coronavirus test at the Riverside site in uptown Hoboken by appointment by calling 201-420-5621 Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you don’t have health insurance, the city will pay the cost.
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There are other medical offices in Hoboken with tests; if in doubt about what to do, call your physician.
SCHOOLS
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The Hoboken public schools are slated to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8, but whether it will be in person will be determined by the state. The state is presently considering in-person schooling, virtual schooling, and a “blended option” involving both. The state is likely to offer more guidelines some time this week, one official said.
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The LEAP summer program run by the schools has been canceled, but some Hoboken Recreation and school summer options have been scheduled. The mayor made reference to them here.
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Day cares were able to reopen June 15, with certain rules in place, and recreational camps can reopen in July. READ MORE.
PARKS
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Most Hoboken parks reopened last month, but not all. See the list here.
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The mayor hoped to open playgrounds last Thursday, but was overruled by the governor’s office. READ MORE.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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More than 50 of the city’s restaurants opened last week for outdoor dining. READ MORE.
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Two of the city’s weekly farmers’ markets reopened this month. READ MORE.
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The city and Patch both have directories of businesses that are open and closed. Check it out and add your listing. READ MORE.
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The city will be closing off certain blocks for businesses to expand and draw foot traffic. READ MORE.
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Here’s what you need to know about applying for unemployment and other benefits during coronavirus. MORE.
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Read more about unemployment, small business, and other coronavirus regulations and benefits in New Jersey here.
NURSING HOMES
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New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities, and have charged that the facilities are undercounting the numbers and not adequately protecting residents and staff. The state has faced questions for weeks from the press about how they will address the problems. They announced plans last month to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes.
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The state has begun releasing death toll statistics for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
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You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
Here are statewide coronavirus resources:
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NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
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General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
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NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222
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This article originally appeared on the Hoboken Patch
