Full Notification

Below is an update on COVID-19 from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla: 
 
The Hoboken Health Department reports the following new COVID-19 cases: 
 
August 21: 25
August 22: 10
August 23: 0
August 24: 21
August 25: 13
August 26: 11
August 27: 10
 
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been a total of 5,483 known, confirmed cases of COVID-19. Unfortunately, I was notified of two additional COVID-19 related fatalities of Hoboken residents this week: a woman in her early 90s and a man in his early 70s. I send my condolences to their families and loved ones as well as the families of all 56 members of the Hoboken community that have passed since the onset of this global health crisis. 
 
As of Friday, Aug. 27, seven people were hospitalized at Hoboken University Medical Center with COVID-19, two of whom are Hoboken residents and one of whom is unvaccinated.  
 
Last week, Governor Murphy released new data on COVID breakthrough cases that showed 0.20% of all fully vaccinated individuals across the State have had breakthrough cases. Of those, 0.005% required hospitalization and 0.001% of fully vaccinated individuals died COVID-19 related deaths. 
 
The data continues to indicate that the vaccines effectively prevent the vast majority of deaths and severe symptoms that require hospitalizations, even in breakthrough cases. 
 
I continue to urge all residents and members of the Hoboken community to please do their part and encourage any and all friends and family who have not gotten vaccinated yet, to do so as soon as possible. Medical experts have concluded that vaccinations remain the best way we can save lives and protect our community. And, with the full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine for individuals ages 16 and up, there has never been a better time to get vaccinated.
 
Prioritizing outdoor socialization with vaccinated individuals, avoiding large indoor crowds, wearing a mask when the vaccination status of others is unknown, and avoiding travel to regions with high infection rates, also remain other precautions residents can take to stay safe. 
 
Hoboken Health Department contact tracing 
  
Below is the most recent contact tracing update from the Hoboken Health Department, reflecting similar trends from previous weeks: 
 
 -Travel both domestic and international – CA, NV, FL, Aruba, Jamaica 
 -Attended a large events sucha as a BBQ, baby shower, wedding, sports venues, bars
 -Travel to the Jersey Shore and upstate NY 
 -Age 20 to 30 continue to have the highest increase in positive cases 
 -Exposed via another household/family contact 
 -Social gatherings of family and friends 
 -Children exposed at extracurricular activities, daycare, and camp 
 -Community widespread with no known exposure 
 -More vaccinated cases are symptomatic 
  
Ages of recent cases
  
Below is the breakdown of recent positive COVID-19 cases by age group since the last update: 
  
0-11: 10
12-19: 0
20-29: 35
30-39: 22
40-49: 14 
50-59: 3
60-69: 3
76+: 1 
 
Vaccination update
  
Below is the most up to date vaccination rate for Hoboken: 
  
All ages: 71% (first dose)
18 and over: 79% (first dose)
30 and over: 90% (first dose)
65 and over: nearly 100% (first dose)
 
All ages: 64% (second dose)
18 and over: 72% (second dose)
30 and over: 83% (second dose)
65 and over: 99% (second dose) 
 
Protecting district students & staff
 
Last week, the Hoboken Public School District unveiled its reopening plan, which includes a vaccine or testing requirement for all faculty and students 12 years of age and up, random testing for those under 12, and other measures. You can read more details here.
 
I applaud Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson and her team for instituting the robust plan and working to continue to provide safe, in-person educational instruction to ensure that students and families feel protected in the classroom. 
 
These measures will limit the spread of COVID-19 among Hoboken’s youth, and I strongly encourage all other institutions and businesses in Hoboken to adopt similar policies as we did for municipal employees last month. 
 
CDC COVID-19 travel risks 
 
The CDC recently updated its list of international destinations with six new countries with the highest risk of travelers getting infected with COVID-19. 
 
The Bahamas, Haiti, Kosovo, Lebanon, Morocco, and St. Maarten are now all included in the CDC’s “Level 4: COVID Very High” travel list that consists of 80 countries that the CDC recommends travelers avoid. 
 
While the State lifted its travel and quarantine advisory, I ask all residents planning trips to these international hotspots and destinations to reconsider their travel plans and continue to follow the CDC’s recommendations, which can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html. 
   
Testing and vaccination schedule 
  
Through partnerships with Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding and Hoboken Family Pharmacy, the Hoboken Health Department will continue to provide first- and second-dose vaccinations with all three vaccines, as well as booster shots for immunocompromised individuals who received Pfizer or Moderna. 
 
Currently, the CDC does not recommend that individuals who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine get a booster shot, although it is likely that people who received it will need one in the future. 
 
According to the CDC, there is not enough data to support getting a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot if you previously received a Johnson & Johnson shot, but the CDC is continuing to collect and evaluate data on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and will keep the public informed with a plan for Johnson & Johnson booster shots in the coming weeks. 
 
When they do so, Hoboken will be ready to provide them with our local community partners as we have with the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots. 
 
Residents can view all locations in Hoboken with the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots on our vaccine website: www.hobokennj.gov/vacine. 
 
The testing schedule can be found at www.hobokennj.gov/testing. 
 
COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot clinics
 
Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
 
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Anyone who works, lives, or goes to school in Hoboken
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4 - 7 pm
Vaccine offered: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna; booster shots available for Pfizer and Moderna for immunocompromised individuals who are fully vaccinated
Ages: 18+ (Johnson & Johnson), 12+ (Pfizer, Moderna)
Sign-up for an appointment (optional): hobokennj.gov/medicinemanvaccine
** Walk-ins welcome, no appointment required**
** Children ages 12 to 16 must be accompanied by a guardian **
 
Better Life Pharmacy
 
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Anyone who works, lives, or goes to school in Hoboken
Day: Thursdays
Time: 4 - 7 pm
Vaccine offered: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna; booster shots available for Pfizer and Moderna for immunocompromised individuals who are fully vaccinated
Ages: 18+ (Johnson & Johnson), 12+ (Pfizer, Moderna)
** Walk-ins welcome, no appointment required**
** Children ages 12 to 16 must be accompanied by a guardian **
 
COVID-19 testing clinics
 
Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
 
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 
Time: 4 - 7 pm (Wednesdays), 9 am - 12 pm (Mondays, Fridays)
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Link for appointments (required): http://www.hobokennj.gov/medicineman 
 
Riverside Medical Group
 
Date: Tuesdays, Saturdays
Time: 9 am - 2 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: Rapid (15-minute); PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Link for appointments (required): http://www.hobokennj.gov/riverside
 
Prompt MD
 
Date: Wednesdays, Thursdays
Time: 8 am - 12:30 pm 
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Link for appointments (required): http://www.hobokennj.gov/promptmd
 
Sincerely, 
 
Ravi S. Bhalla 
Mayor