Hoboken Mayor: Protesters Haven't Tested Positive For Coronavirus

HOBOKEN, NJ – Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a coronavirus update on Monday night that after the last four days of coronavirus testing in the city's uptown testing center, there were no new, confirmed cases. Bhalla also said, "Dr. Brahmbhatt from Riverside Medical confirmed that through four days of testing for those who attended the peaceful demonstration for racial justice, none tested positive."

So far, a total of 30 Hoboken residents have died from the virus, but there have been no new deaths since May 21. On June 9, the mayor 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.

A week ago Friday, more than 7,000 people attended a George Floyd protest in the mile-square city. But like mayors of other towns, Bhalla said that people who did not properly social distance should get tested.

"One reason why I believe that there have been no new positive covid-19 cases as of today from the peaceful demonstration," Bhalla wrote in the Monday update, "is because the large majority of participants wore face masks."

He advised, "Please help our city stay safe and wear face masks when outdoors, and protect our frontline workers and vulnerable populations from possible exposure."

The Centers for Disease Control currently recommends wearing a face covering to reduce the transmission of coronavirus. It may not completely stop the virus, but cuts down on the spread, particularly if both parties next to each other are wearing masks properly, scientists say.

Some New Jersey officials took heat last weekend — including Gov. Phil Murphy — for attending large George Floyd protests after repeatedly admonishing New Jersey residents to limit outdoor gatherings in 25 people and to practice social distancing.

As of last Monday, a total of 12,176 New Jersey residents had died from the virus in 12 weeks. More than 113,000 Americans have died of the virus in that same three-month period. For contrast, the CDC estimates that 61,000 Americans died of the flu during the entire 2017-2018 flu season.

Last Tuesday, Bhalla, who was among the first to set limits on facilities and businesses in March to slow the spread of the virus, explained why he chose to participate in the Hoboken protest.

"The reality is that systemic racism and its impacts and combatting COVID-19 are both public health issues," he said. "I thank the many residents who also joined and wore face masks."

Bhalla had advised those who attended the protest to get a coronavirus test and self-isolate, as had mayors in Princeton and Newark.

The protests around the state were held in the wake of the Death of George Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Four Minneapolis police officers have been criminally charged in connection with Floyd's death, and protests have taken place around New Jersey and the country.

In other coronavirus updates in Hoboken:

• The mayor said that playgrounds will open on Thursday.
• Outdoor dining began in Hoboken on Monday, with new rules. See the rules and participating restaurants here.

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