Fifth Hobokenite Dies Of Coronavirus; Mayor Says: Exercise Inside

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced Monday night that Hoboken has now lost five residents to coronavirus. The fifth person to pass away is a Hoboken senior in his early 70s. "I extend my deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time," Bhalla said.

[UPDATE: Bhalla announced a sixth death, a man in his 50s, on Tuesday, and four more deaths on Wednesday.]

Bhalla had announced the third and fourth deaths on Friday.

Bhalla also quoted Gov. Phil Murphy as saying Monday that the state has approximately a week and a half before hitting the peak of the pandemic. A total of 1,003 New Jersey residents have died.

Thus, Bhalla suggested further measures to increase social distancing.

"I ask you to exercise inside for the next two weeks," Bhalla said.

He requested that those who do go out for fresh air for a few minutes stay away from the waterfront. And he urged pedestrians to stay to the right side of the road to reduce crossing paths.

Read more from the mayor here.

Bhalla said that as of Monday, 225 positive cases of the virus have been reported in the mile-square city.

While all of the deaths from the virus in the city have been of people over 60, a local mom recently shared her story last week of struggling with the virus in her thirties.

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Bhalla also said, in his nightly update:

• The city is increasing efforts to make sure store employees and customers wear face coverings. The city will help provide 60 face covers to ShopRite for their employees.
• A new Hoboken blood drive will help with a national blood shortage, on April 17. A drive scheduled earlier for April 24 has already gotten enough donors to sign up. Click here to sign up for the new date.

For general coronavirus questions, call the state hotline at 211 or (800) 222-1222. Or check out the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/.

Got a news tip? Email caren.lissner@patch.com