Full Notification

Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:
 
The Hoboken Health Department reports the following, new COVID-19 cases since the last update:
 
July 23: 10
July 24: 4
July 25: 3
July 26: 8
July 27: 10
July 28: 14
July 29: 6
July 30: 3
July 31: 6
August 1: 15
August 2: 8
 
The age breakdown of known, confirmed cases from July 23 to July 30 is as follows:
 
0-16: 5
17-30: 23
31-40: 12
41-50: 5
51-60: 1
61-75: 0
76+: 0
 
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hoboken has had 5,194 known, confirmed cases while fatalities remain unchanged at 52. Hoboken University Medical Center currently reports treating two individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, which includes one Hoboken resident (who is unvaccinated).
 
As of July 30, for the month of July, Hoboken has had 102 COVID-19 cases including 63 individuals who were fully vaccinated and had minor or no symptoms, 37 who were unvaccinated, and two who were partially vaccinated.
 
Recent information from CDC on Delta variant
 
Last week, the CDC provided updated data and guidance indicating that the Delta variant is more contagious than previously known, and is more transmissible than viruses that cause the common cold or flu. According to the CDC, the Delta variant may be more likely to result in severe illness, and that breakthrough infections among the fully vaccinated could be as transmissible as unvaccinated cases.
 
Nonetheless, the key takeaway remains the fact that the COVID-19 vaccines remain extremely effective in preventing hospitalizations or death, and are still helping prevent the large majority of COVID-19 cases. In fact, according to the CDC, over 99% of those individuals fully vaccinated have not had a breakthrough case that has resulted in hospitalization or death.
 
The vaccines, which are working as intended, remain our best defense against the virus, and we continue to strongly encourage every person who has not yet gotten the vaccine to get one as soon as possible.
 
New Jersey’s breakthrough cases update
 
According to Governor Murphy, 4,909,743 New Jersey Residents have been fully vaccinated individuals as of July 19^th.
 
Among the fully vaccinated, there were:
 
6,381 COVID+ cases (0.13%)
195 COVID-related hospitalizations (0.004%)
50 COVID-related deaths (0.001%)
 
The state-wide data above demonstrates that while breakthrough cases are possible, it is extremely rare to result in hospitalization or death. Unvaccinated individuals make up over 99% of the COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths state-wide.
 
Updated Hoboken vaccination rate
 
All ages: 68% (first dose)
18 and over: 76% (first dose)
30 and over: 86% (first dose)
65 and over: nearly 100% (first dose)
 
All ages: 62% (second dose)
18 and over: 70% (second dose)
30 and over: 80% (second dose)
65 and over: 95% (second dose)
 
Contact tracing update
 
The Hoboken Health Department is continuing to conduct diligent contact tracing for every positive COVID-19 case. Trends of recent cases include the following:
 
-Exposed via another household/family contact
-Social gatherings of family and friends, primarily ages 40 and under.
-Attended a large event such as BBQ, baby shower, wedding, sports venue, bars
-Travel both domestic and international
-Travel to Jersey Shore
-Children exposed at extracurricular activities
-Cases with no known exposure
 
Vaccination record request
 
If you are a Hoboken resident and need a copy of your vaccination record, please feel free to email [email protected].
 
Vaccine or testing requirement for all Hoboken municipal employees
 
On Friday, Hoboken adopted a policy that requires all Hoboken municipal employees to show proof of vaccination, or submit to weekly COVID-19 tests. As City employees, we have an obligation to protect the public, and residents deserve to know that they have a level of protection when interacting with City workers. For more information on this policy, please click here: https://www.hobokennj.gov/news/hoboken-announces-vaccine-or-testing-requirement-for-all-municipal-employees.
 
Recommendation from CDC and State of New Jersey on mask wearing
 
Given the increasing rate of COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant across the country, the CDC has adopted new guidelines recommending that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should wear face masks in areas of the country with high amounts of transmission. Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Health Department are strongly recommending that face masks be worn when there is an increased risk of transmission, including:
 
-Crowded indoor settings
-Indoor settings involving activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated
-Indoor settings where the vaccine status of other individuals in the setting is unknown
-Where an individual is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease
 
Hoboken is adopting the State’s recommendation, and I, along with our Department of Health also strongly recommend residents and businesses to take the above precautions. As mentioned in previous updates, I ask residents to consider additional precautions to stay safe and help limit the potential spread of the Delta variant:
 
-Avoiding vacations to areas of low vaccination rates/high transmission rates
-Prioritizing socialization with those who are fully vaccinated
-Limiting exposure to large indoor crowded events
-Prioritizing outdoor activities and socialization whenever possible
-Keeping playdates for children, especially those under 12, outdoors and small in groups
 
Testing and vaccinations
 
To meet the increase in demand, we are currently providing four days of testing per week, in partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding, Prompt MD and the State of New Jersey at 605 Jackson Street and 221 Jackson Street. We are also continuing to provide two walk-in City-sponsored days of vaccination clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month of August, in partnership with Medicine Man Pharmacy and Better Life Pharmacy.
 
View Hoboken’s updated vaccine schedule: www.hobokennj.gov/vaccine
 
View Hoboken’s updated testing schedule: www.hobokennj.gov/testing
 
Hoboken businesses and vaccine incentives
 
I applaud businesses in Hoboken for taking extra measures to encouraging their employees and customers to get vaccinated. Today, Equinox and Soulcycle announced that their studios will begin requiring proof of vaccination to enter, starting with their New York City locations in September and expanding to additional locations (including Hoboken) shortly after. If any Hoboken businesses are planning on pursuing similar policies, we will gladly highlight them for providing safe spaces for customers, especially those who are more vulnerable to the virus, including the immunocompromised.
 
If you are a Hoboken business owner offering similar incentives or requirements for vaccinated employees or customers, please email us at [email protected] so we can help share it with the broader community.
 
Rental assistance available for Hoboken residents
 
If you are a Hoboken resident in need of rental assistance and were affected by the pandemic, you may qualify for a grant through Hudson County, which has initiated its Eviction Protection Program for eligible applicants. Applications for residents of Hoboken and Hudson County will be open through August 15, 2021, or until funding runs out. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a resident of Hudson County (with the exception of Jersey City residents), must have been financially impacted by COVID-19, must have received a summons or eviction notice from a landlord, and must meet the income guidelines outlined in the link provided. Assistance is available for both rental and utility assistance, and the household does not need to be able to show they can pay their rent moving forward to be eligible.
 
For more information and to apply, please click here: https://hudsoncounty.smapply.io/prog/hudson_county_emergency_rental_assistance_2/
 
Reminder of small business grants
 
As a reminder, we are providing a second round of funding opportunities to our local small businesses to help cover costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, through our allocation of the American Rescue Plan. $2 million is allocated for Hoboken businesses that have 25 employees or less, with an extra bonus for those businesses that have at least 75% of their employees vaccinated. The application deadline for businesses is on Wednesday, August 11. So far, 51 Hoboken businesses have applied for funding.
 
For more information, criteria and to apply, please visit: https://www.hobokennj.gov/news/apply-for-hoboken-small-business-grant-program.  
 
New app from NJ Department of Health documenting vaccination status
 
“Docket” is a new mobile application from the New Jersey Department of Health that allows New Jersey residents to securely access digital COVID-19 vaccination records, similar to the “Excelsior Pass” in New York.  Individuals with an email or phone number on file with the New Jersey Immunization Information System can access and download their COVID-19 vaccination record using the app. The app can also provide access to family members' records through a shared account.
 
You can download Docket in the App Store or on Google Play in English or Spanish, depending on your smartphone settings. For more information, please visit https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaxrecords.
 
Congratulations to Little League and softball teams!
 
Congratulations to both the 10U and 11U All Star Teams for their third place finishes in the State tournament! Both teams won their Sectional tournaments and gave valiant efforts in the States, the first time two Hoboken Little League teams qualified in the same year. All of the coaches and players proudly represented Hoboken with class and we look forward to formally recognizing all of the participants in the coming months.
 
Finally, congratulations are also in order to the Hoboken RBA Softball U18 team for a terrific effort in reaching the regional championship game, where they lost 1-0 to Jersey City in the final inning.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor