Hoboken Mayor Announces Sixth Coronavirus Death, First Under 60

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced on Tuesday night that a Hoboken resident in his 50s had passed away from coronavirus. The first five residents to pass away in the mile-square city had been over 60.

Bhalla gave no further information about the individual. "I extend my sympathies to his family and all those who lost their life due to Covid-19," the mayor said.

So far, 239 people have been diagnosed with the virus in the city, according to Bhalla. He said Tuesday that 91 more tests had been conducted at the city's relatively new testing center in the last five days.

"Seventeen of those residents tested positive," he said. "Twelve tested negative, and we are awaiting results for another 62 tests that were conducted in the past day or two." He said he will release more demographic information later in the week.

The mayor also, in an unusual move, thanked both first responders and a group that was maligned early in the coronavirus crisis: journalists who've been getting the news out about safety precautions, how to help those in need, and other facts.

"I'm so appreciative to all of our first responders, medical professionals, and front-line workers that continue to inspire us each and every day," Bhalla wrote. "We read about and see their life-saving work thanks to the coverage in the media through newspapers, television, online publications, and more."

Bhalla added, "I want to extend my gratitude to each and every journalist who has been covering the news in person (and virtually!) ... who aren't able to self-isolate as they cover press conferences and interview our heroes in person."

Some were still dubbing journalists' stories about coronavirus "hype" as little as six weeks ago, and others even more recently.

Two weeks ago, local officials were able to plead through media reports for Hoboken's hospital to get more ventilators it needed. The issue was covered by national publications in addition to local.

The mayor also announced that the city is expanding its efforts to help people in need get food.

Volunteers have already started programs to get food to first responders, and the Hoboken shelter has asked for donations.

But the city is now starting an initiative for the next two weeks for seniors in three public housing buildings to get food delivered. The funding has come from a federal Community Development Block Grant the city received on Thursday.

Also in his nightly alert, the mayor also thanked the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken for housing firefighters and other first responders. "This will allow our firefighters to have less first responders in one room at once and allow for greater social distancing," he noted.

He also said he will hold a second Facebook Live town hall meeting, this time with religious leaders from various faiths. It will be held at Wednesday at 12:30. Residents can find it using this link.

To read the rest of the mayor's announcement from Tuesday or get more information, click here.

In New Jersey, the number of coronavirus cases has risen to 44,416, and 1,232 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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