Hoboken To Hold Coronavirus Town Hall With Hospital ER Director

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Sunday night that on Monday, he will host a "Facebook Live town hall"at 4 p.m. with the director of Hoboken University Medical Center's Emergency Department, Dr. John Rimmer, and Police Chief Ken Ferrante.

Residents can click here at 4 p.m. Monday to watch the panel.

Bhalla explained, "We'll be providing an update tho the public on the latest at HUMC, along with our effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Hoboken."

Two weeks ago, local officials said that the hospital desperately needed ventilators for coronavirus patients.

Bhalla also said Sunday night that 199 residents had tested positive for the virus. So far, four elderly residents have passed away from the virus.

In the same email alert, Bhalla defended the city's recent decision to order customers at its essential businesses, and the employees of those businesses, to wear face coverings. (Read more about that decision here.)

Bhalla said that in Singapore and the Czech Republic, the countries slowed disease transmission with similar measures.

"I'd rather look back later saying we did more than necessary to protect human life," he said.

He said social distancing and other measures are "100 percent worth it if it saves the life of your neighbor, mother, grandmother, or child. I've heard from countless residents who are afraid to just go outside of their homes because catching COVID-19 could literally jeopardize their life."

Read about a young Hoboken mom's recent struggle to survive coronavirus at home here.

Bhalla noted that even those symptom-free could spread the disease. "What I ask all residents to understand is that these are not normal times," he wrote. "Every one of us needs to step up and be ready and willing to make sacrifices necessary to eradicate this virus once and for all."

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This past Thursday, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla released statistics showing that people in all age groups in Hoboken are testing positive for the virus.

In New Jersey, as of Sunday, 947 people had died of the virus and 37,505 have been diagnosed. The first diagnosed case of the virus in America was 11 weeks ago, on Jan. 21.

In New York City — where many of Hoboken's 53,000 residents commute — more than 2,400 people had passed away as of Sunday.

The U.S. surgeon general said Sunday that the next weeks could be the "hardest and saddest" the country has seen in recent times.

Hoboken residents who want to go to the testing center for coronavirus must call first. More information is here.

New Jersey residents who have questions about coronavirus can call 211 or the state hotline, 1 (800) 222-1222.

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