Hoboken Resident Dies Of COVID; Hospitalization Rate Rises

HOBOKEN, NJ — The city of Hoboken released updated COVID death and hospitalization statistics Monday, including another resident who passed away due to the virus.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla said, "Unfortunately, another resident, age 81, passed away. My heart goes out to his friends and loved ones. The city has now lost a total of 68 individuals since the pandemic began."

He said that Hoboken University Medical Center is currently treating eight people with COVID-19, three of whom live in the city.

As typically happens when people spend more time inside during fall, hospitalization rates have increased from the summer months. In June, the local hospital was treating just two patients for COVID. Last January, they were treating 40.

Statewide, numbers are way down from the first year of the pandemic, but there is an uptick. There are 1,069 people currently hospitalized in New Jersey who are positive for COVID, 100 in intensive care and 37 of those on ventilators. One new confirmed COVID death was reported statewide on Monday and another nine Tuesday.

Last year, cases rose steeply during the holidays.

New Booster For New Variants, And Guidance For Children

A new booster was introduced recently that protects from new variants of the virus as well as the past variants. Residents can get the vaccine (and tests) at both doctors' offices and pharmacies, but can also look for the city's clinics.

The city scheduled an updated booster clinic Tuesday from 4-7 p.m., offering the updated Pfizer booster to people 5 and older who got their last vaccine two months ago or more. The updated Moderna booster is available to those 6 and older. More information on the new boosters and clinic times is here: www.hobokennj.gov/medicinemanvaccine.

Regarding children, the state and CDC have released guidance on the new booster for those age 12 and over. See more details here.

To find more Hoboken and Hudson County sites, go to www.hudsoncovidvax.org/.

The city said that the current regional Community Transmission level is Medium Risk.

As of Oct. 17, these were the cases reported in Hoboken for the previous week, by age:

Positive Cases By Age (Reported)

0-11: 13

12-19: 2

20-29: 24

30-39: 23

40-49: 18

50-59: 6

60-69: 8

70+: 8

Vaccination Rate Update

Below is the vaccination rate for Hoboken, according to the state:

All ages: > 90% (first dose)

12 and over: >90% (first dose)

18 and over: >90% (first dose)

30 and over: >90% (first dose)

65 and over: >90% (first dose)

All ages: 84% (second dose)

12 and over: 86% (second dose)

18 and over: 83% (second dose)

30 and over: >90% (second dose)

65 and over: >90% (second dose)

NOTE: The state has not provided municipalities with booster numbers.

What If You Test Positive Now?

Medical professionals have said that as with flu shots, the vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization and death.

But you may still test positive. The CDC advises people with any symptoms to take a test as soon as possible, particularly those in high risk groups, as there are new treatments (such as Paxlovid) that can be effective if administered in the first few days. If positive, talk with a medical professional about what to do. READ: What Happens If I Test Positive?