HOBOKEN, NJ – Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Thursday morning that one new case of coronavirus was reported in the city Wednesday, bringing the total to 572 residents who tested positive. Before that, there were no reports of new cases since the previous Wednesday.
There have been no new deaths reported since May 21. On June 9, Bhalla said the city had learned of a woman in her 80s who had died of the virus a month earlier but hadn’t been counted with residents. She was the 30th announced case.
Bhalla said Thursday, “No demonstrators [in the local George Floyd protest] from Hoboken tested at Riverside were positive for COVID-19.” Bhalla has said that mask-wearing helped the protestors. In fact, new studies have supported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that mask-wearing is very helpful in cutting down on (but not eliminating entirely) the spread of the virus.
Even people who’ve recovered have reported dealing with severe symptoms.
As of Tuesday, a total of 12,727 New Jersey residents have died from the virus. Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey had 470 additional coronavirus cases and 51 more deaths since the day before.
The rate is lower than April 30, when the state reached an all-time high death rate. That day, Murphy said that 460 New Jerseyans had been lost to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes. Murphy explained Tuesday why he believes the state still must reopen slowly to avoid another spike.
Hoboken parks
The mayor said the city will open 1600 Park and Sinatra Park to the public, with capacity limits and during certain hours of the day, starting Monday. “The parks will be open for socially distant activities among families or small groups, with athletic competition prohibited. Staff will be on hand to ensure capacity limits. We’ll be providing details on timing and capacity limits prior to Monday.”
The city still has not reopened Pier C Park or playgrounds. The governor has said he can’t reopen playgrounds for now. Read more about that here.
Outdoor dining plaudits and complaints
Hoboken outdoor dining reopened this week. Here is information about rules and restaurants.
Bhalla wrote, “Our zoning office and Hoboken Police Department continue to work with our business community to keep everyone safe with new social distancing requirements. One complaint we are receiving is that tables and chairs are not 6 feet apart at certain outdoor dining locations. To streamline the process, residents can now email [email protected] regarding this and other similar issues so our staff can get in touch with business owners to ensure a socially distant, outdoor dining experience for everyone. To report face mask violations at businesses, residents can continue to email [email protected].
“Another complaint we are receiving is that when waiting for tables, restaurants are allowing residents to wait indoors at the business. This is not permitted as per the state’s Executive Order. Anyone waiting for a table should remain outdoors and 6 feet from other people waiting and other diners. Additionally, to clarify rules for sidewalks — with an outdoor expansion, restaurants should still allow for 6 feet of egress for pedestrians …. Please also don’t forget to wear a face mask to and from the restaurant, and to use when going to the restroom at the restaurant, which is required. Hours of operation for outdoor dining Outdoor dining is permitted until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 12 am on Friday and Saturdays.” The city’s 10 p.m. curfew has been lifted.
Below are other Hoboken coronavirus updates:
LIBRARY
-
Starting Monday, residents can return library books and other materials by placing them in the library book/media drop box in front of the library (500 Park Ave.) from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Starting this coming Monday, the library will begin no contact “curbside pickup” service. Library patrons will be able to reserve the materials online, place their orders via email to [email protected], or call (201) 4202346, ext. 5102. For additional details, visit hobokenlibrary.org.
TESTING
-
Any resident can get a 15-minute rapid coronavirus test at the Riverside site in uptown Hoboken by appointment by calling 201-420-5621 Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you don’t have health insurance, the city will pay the cost.
-
There are other medical offices in Hoboken with tests; if in doubt about what to do, call your physician.
-
Besides offering rapid coronavirus testing uptown in Hoboken, the city has also been scheduling dates to provide antibody testing on the west side of town. Unlike the coronavirus tests that show whether a person presently has the virus, the antibody tests can reveal antibodies that were built up in response to past exposure. However, not everyone who has signed up has gotten a date.Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Friday that he will try to get more dates scheduled.
SCHOOLS
-
The Hoboken public schools are slated to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8, but whether it will be in person will be determined by the state. The state is presently considering in-person schooling, virtual schooling, and a “blended option” involving both. The state is likely to offer more guidelines some time this week, one official said.
-
The summer camp run by the Hoboken schools has been canceled. Limited recreational options have been scheduled. The mayor made reference to them here.
-
Day cares were able to reopen June 15, with certain rules in place, and recreational camps can reopen in July. READ MORE.
PARKS
-
Most Hoboken parks reopened last month, but not all. See the list here.
-
The mayor hoped to open playgrounds this Thursday, but was overruled by the governor’s office. READ MORE.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
-
More than 50 of the city’s restaurants opened Monday for outdoor dining. READ MORE.
-
Two of the city’s weekly farmers markets reopened this month. READ MORE.
-
The city and Patch both have directories of businesses that are open and closed. Check it out and add your listing. READ MORE.
-
The city will be closing off certain blocks for businesses to expand and draw foot traffic. READ MORE.
-
Here’s what you need to know about applying for unemployment and other benefits during coronavirus. MORE.
-
Read more about unemployment, small business, and other coronavirus regulations and benefits in New Jersey here.
NURSING HOMES
-
A hearing on the state’s respsonse to the nursing home crisis, in which thousands died in three months, was held Wednesday, but representative from the Governor’s Office did not attend.
-
New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have died in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities, and have charged that the facilities were undercounting the numbers and not adequately protecting residents and staff. The state finally announced plans last month to increase testing at some long-term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes.
-
The state has begun releasing death toll statistics for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
-
You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
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
Got local news? Email [email protected]. To keep up with local breaking news when it happens, and get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.
This article originally appeared on the Hoboken Patch