High Number Of Hoboken Coronavirus Cases Fall Into One Age Group

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Friday night that two more Hoboken residents have passed away due to coronavirus, bringing the total to four.

"We unfortunately had two seniors in their early 70s pass away due to COVID-19 today," Bhalla said in a message Friday night. "It’s painful to lose any member of our community due to this virus, especially our seniors. I extend my deepest condolences to all family and friends of the deceased."

He did not release any other information on the victims.

The night before, Bhalla said that the city had lost its second resident to the virus, Carmen Rivera, who was the mother of two Hoboken police detectives.

Bhalla said Friday that the Health Department reported 14 more positive coronavirus cases since the day before, with 167 total in Hoboken. Bhalla said 32 people who had tested positive have fully recovered.

Bhalla also released statistics on cases in Hoboken, showing that slightly more men than women have been afflicted, and that the age group in the city with the most cases was the 30 to 40 group (also a large demographic in town, making up nearly 30 percent of the population).

[UPDATE: On Saturday, the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management ordered all employees of essential stores and restaurants to wear masks, and the same for their customers. See story here.]

Hoboken has a population of approximately 53,000, many of whom commute across the river to New York City.

Bhalla complained three weeks ago that even as residents were being encouraged to stay home to avoid spreading the virus, "Just last Saturday in Hoboken, bars were packed to the brim, people were out eating in close proximity at restaurants, and large clusters of people were in public parks as recent as yesterday. It's time to dig deep, and ask ourselves the question – have we done everything within our power to limit this spread?"

Also on Friday, the mayor also noted that an uptown testing center is now open to all Hoboken residents, whether via car or on foot. However, residents must call 201-420-5621 first between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturdays (and this Sunday). The city will make up any difference if insurance doesn't cover the test, but an individual must show proof of residency.

"A quick update from today," Bhalla wrote on Friday. "As was expected, we had a high call volume during the first hour from residents requesting testing, which may have prevented everyone from getting through on their first call. With this new testing option for residents, we expect that our positive cases are likely to rise. To be clear, the more people that know they’re positive, the more likely it is that they’ll self-isolate."

Bhalla also suggested checking in on those who live alone, "some young, some old, who live in one-bedroom apartments or by themselves. If you’re a neighbor, friend, or family member of someone who lives alone, I suggest taking five minutes and checking in on him or her, even if you think they’re okay. Everyone should have some type of regular interaction with another human being ... even if you’re not the type to pick up the phone and call someone, try going out of your comfort zone and checking in on a senior, friend, or family member."

Bhalla also noted the efforts of the new all-volunteer Front Line Appreciation Group (FLAG) of Hoboken and Jersey City. More than 625 donors raised money and gave meals to first responders. To donate for this cause, you can Venmo @Flag_HBKN_JC or visit paypal.me/flaghbknjc.

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The state of New Jersey announced Friday that there were 113 more coronavirus-linked deaths from the previous day, bringing the state total to 646. There are 29,895 positive cases. Read more here.

Experts say that the novel coronavirus, because it's new, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu.

Residents who have questions about coronavirus can call 211 or contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222.

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