Hoboken Mayor: Don't Turn Super Bowl Into Super Spreader

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla on Friday said that there have been 127 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Hoboken from last Saturday to this past Thursday, bringing the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 2,833 confirmed cases. There also have been 39 fatalities in that time, with no recent change.

Hoboken, a mile-square city of 53,000 residents, was among the first cities in the state to close some facilities when the pandemic was on the horizon last March.

Starting Friday, the state of New Jersey lifted coronavirus curfews on local bars and restaurants in advance of Super Bowl Sunday. Indoor capacity has been increased to 35 percent. Bhalla said Hoboken would comply (read more here). However, he cautioned residents about private indoor gatherings.

Cases across the country increased after holiday gatherings, but have begun to come down in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday. However, hospitals are currently treating 2,872 covid patients. Murphy said that during the snowfall Monday, 254 patients were released from hospitals after battling the virus, and 297 more were admitted with it.

Bhalla wrote on Friday, "Indoor gatherings with multiple households could turn into super-spreader events. Like we advised during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I urge residents to avoid large, indoor gatherings with multiple households to help prevent the spread of COVID-19."

He said for those who attend a gathering, "please consider keeping groups small, and getting tested prior to Sunday – even if you don’t have symptoms. Please also consider asking any other individuals attending, outside your household to get tested as well."

The mayor gave an updated list of places to get tested here.

Here were the confirmed cases in Hoboken:

• January 30: 19
• January 31: 15
• February 1: 24
• February 2: 22
• February 3: 29
• February 4: 18

Update on vaccines in Hoboken

Bhalla wrote, "We continue to make as much progress as possible in vaccinating our most vulnerable residents. As before, the issue is supply – we only have a limited amount of vaccines provided to us from the State each week. This week, we were provided 200 vaccines through the New Jersey Department of Health, all of which we will administer by the end of today. I’m hopeful for a greater supply of first-dose vaccines next week and in the weeks after ... So far, we’ve given 1,500 first-dose vaccines to those in the 1A and 1B categories through the Hoboken Health Department, thanks to our partnership with the Hoboken University Medical Center. The Hoboken Health Department did receive a shipment of 500 second dose vaccines, which are currently being scheduled for next week."

He noted, "As before, if you’ve signed up on our pre-registration lists, you will receive a call in the coming weeks once our supply is able to administer more first-dose vaccines. I know it has been difficult, and I completely understand the frustration many have about not yet getting scheduled. Please know that we will continue to work as quickly as possible, and that ultimately, anyone who wants a vaccine, will get one. I thank everyone for their understanding and patience."

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

Clarification on Riverside Medical Group

Bhalla wrote, "I’ve received feedback from some residents in the 1B category (seniors, those with chronic, high-risk conditions) who have called Riverside, and their staff has mentioned they may be unable to vaccinate populations other than their patients. The way our relationship works with Riverside, is that when Riverside have an excess supply of vaccines, they coordinate with our Health Department to gather a list of names and contact information from our Hoboken pre-registration lists, and schedule vaccine appointments. If you qualify for the vaccine and sign-up on our pre-registration list, you may be provided an opportunity to get vaccinated at either the Hoboken University Medical Center or Riverside – depending on supply. Neither location takes walk-in appointments."

Restaurants and other businesses increased to 35 percent capacity

Besides restaurants, Bhalla noted, the state is now permitting the following businesses to increase to 35 percent capacity starting Friday: Indoor performance venues (maximum 150 people), indoor gatherings that are religious ceremonies/services, wedding ceremonies, political activities, and memorial services/funerals (maximum 150 people); indoor entertainment and recreation areas, including casinos and gyms, and personal care businesses.

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