Hoboken Mayor: Coronavirus Rising; Avoid These 2 NJ Counties

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said on Friday that coronavirus cases are on the rise in the mile-square city, and he cautioned residents to avoid indoor parties and travel to places with spikes.

Bhalla updated the city's coronavirus case numbers Friday, saying the city had confirmed 28 new cases in the previous five days, a larger increase than in months.

"The Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC) has reported additional hospitalizations, as well as patients on ventilators," Bhalla said.

He said that the Hoboken Health Department has reported the following new COVID-19 cases in Hoboken:

Oct. 4: 5
Oct. 5: 7
Oct. 6: 4
Oct. 7: 4
Oct. 8: 7
Oct. 9: 1

That meant that as of Friday, 833 residents have tested positive for coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.

Fatalities remain unchanged at 31 total, with no new resident deaths since May.

The age group with the highest rise in cases remains those residents in the 17-30 age group, he said.

(Also on Friday, a local charter school went all-remote after a student tested positive for the virus. Related story here).

Avoiding the shore counties, and indoor birthday parties

Bhalla said in his Friday update that there are surges in Monmouth and Ocean counties — popular shore destinations for North Jersey residents. He urged residents to avoid traveling there.

"The State of New Jersey has reported significant recent increases in positive COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and patients in intensive care as well," he wrote. "On Thursday, the State saw the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases (1,301) since May. The statewide positivity rate from Oct. 4 was 3.69 percent, while the statewide rate of transmission is currently 1.22. (anything above a rate of 1 means the virus is spreading). Gov. Murphy has reported a surge of cases in Ocean County and Monmouth County, and I urge residents to avoid traveling to cities in these two counties if at all possible."

Bhalla also reminded people to avoid maskless indoor gatherings. He said he's been concerned about house parties as well as birthday parties.

"As always, the best way to stay safe is to take the following precautions: wear a face mask when around others, social distance, avoid large gatherings, and wash your hands," he wrote. "And, as mentioned in the previous update, please continue to assume that anyone you come into contact with could have the virus, especially now that cases are rising in New Jersey."

He noted, "Additionally, we’re also hearing reports of house parties that have occurred over the past several weeks, with the police having to be called in one instance, as well as residents attending house parties in other locations. I am urgently asking all residents, of all ages — please avoid indoor parties, which could easily turn into superspreader events with cases that are difficult to trace, like ones we have seen on the news."

Hoboken coronavirus testing, dining, reopening info

To read a Patch report last week about reopenings and other virus updates in Hoboken, and where you can be tested in town, click here.

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This article originally appeared on the Hoboken Patch