Two More Coronavirus Fatalities Reported In Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — Even as the state continues to roll out coronavirus vaccinations, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Saturday afternoon that he was recently informed of two more Hoboken residents who passed away from the virus last month.

"Unfortunately, we were informed this week of the passing of two additional Hoboken residents in January due to COVID-19, a female in her early 80s and a male in his early 90s," Bhalla wrote in an update Saturday. "I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to their family and loved ones. Hoboken has sadly lost 41 residents who contracted COVID-19, 38 over the age of 61."

The death toll across the country had climbed to 496,000 Americans as of Saturday.

Bhalla shared these local statistics:

• Hoboken University Medical Center is currently treating 21 patients with COVID-19, including six Hoboken residents.
• The Hoboken Health Department has reported the following new COVID-19 cases in Hoboken:
• February 12: 23
• February 13: 9
• February 14: 11
• February 15: 13
• February 16: 51*
• February 17: 50*
• February 18: 26
• February 19: 21
• * The recent two days over 50 positive tests reflect a backlog and delay of cases reported by certain labs, which has also occurred at a larger scale at the State level this past week.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Hoboken has had 3,193 known, confirmed cases.

The Hoboken Health Department reported that as of Thursday, 2,431 residents have fully recovered from COVID-19 who contracted the virus.

Contact tracing results

Bhalla said that the Hoboken Health Department reports that the majority of recent cases mirror previous trends in terms of the spread:

• Travel, both non-essential and work related, outside of New Jersey, including to hot-spot regions
• Indoor and social gatherings between non-household members
• Children who have tested positive due to out of school gatherings and social activities

Positive news about vaccines, and local businesses

Bhalla said that more vaccines are coming this week for eligible groups.

"Fortunately, if the inclement weather across the country does not disrupt the supply provided to the State from the federal government, we will be able to triple our first dose vaccine allocation for next week to 300," he wrote. "While it is still under the 500 first-does vaccines we were provided in the first few weeks of vaccines distribution, it is still a positive step in the right direction." Read more of the local vaccine update here.

To see Patch's updated list of Hudson County vaccination sites, click here.

The mayor also shared good news and programs to help local small businesses. Read more here.

Help your neighbors

The next city-sponsored blood drive will take place Friday, Feb. 26 at the Multi Service Center (124 Grand Street) from 12 pm - 6 pm with Vitalant New Jersey. An appointment is required to donate, and please be sure to wear a mask. Those who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID within the last 14 days will not be eligible to donate. To sign up for an appointment, please visit https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/53717.

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State statistics

New Jersey reported a death toll of 20,495 since the beginning of the pandemic, with 64 new deaths in the last 24 hours. There are 2,202 people hospitalized with the virus, 443 in ICU or critical care, and 300 of those on ventilators.

Read more

President Joe Biden published his pandemic plan on Friday. Read more 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

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