On the heels of a successful pilot launch with first responders, Mayor Bhalla has shared that the City of Hoboken will begin testing all residents for antibodies to COVID-19 beginning on May 20th from 9:00AM-5:00PM.
The city is partnering with Dr. Javed Islam from Prompt MD, as well as Power Analytics, a real-time simulation, software, and data analytics company, to offer antibody testing with a rapid, 10-minute antibody test. The testing site is located at 601 Jackson Street {7th street & Jackson Gym} and will become one of the first rapid, antibody testing sites in the State of New Jersey. The testing site will have the capacity to test over 750 Hoboken residents and will also be open on Wednesday, May 27th and Friday, May 29th, with additional dates to be provided for June.
In order to receive a test, residents must register online at http://www.hobokennj.gov/
“The pilot launch last week was a success, with over 250 people tested for antibodies and receiving rapid results. Not only does this test offered at our Hoboken site let people know whether they have antibodies from a previous COVID-19 infection, but also whether they have antibodies built up from a current infection. Making this test available to all Hoboken residents who want it will provide us with important data as we begin to plan for a safe re-opening for our region,” Mayor Bhalla said.
Antibody tests indicate whether or not an individual previously had COVID-19 and the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies in their system. Even if an antibody test was positive, the individual should not assume he or she has full immunity in the future to COVID-19, and continue to take precautions including social distancing.
Jersey City Antibody Testing
Jersey City has started its antibody testing on May 4th. “Today we signed a contract direct w/the lab to begin antibody testing for #JerseyCity residents,” Mayor Fulop announced via Facebook on Friday, May 1st.
“We’ll start on Monday [May 4th] w/2100 tests per week {similar # to nasal swab that we’ll continue doing}. We’ll test our front line employees for the 1st part of next week then begin testing [the] public free of charge towards the end of next week,” he continued. “This is part of our initiatives around broader testing for our residents so that we can get the city functioning again. We will begin taking calls on Wednesday morning to schedule public appointments for antibody testing.”
This news came just 24 hours after the city announced that it would allow for COVID-19 testing to all residents with or without symptoms also on Monday, May 4th.
Read More: Latest Jersey City + Hoboken COVID-19 Updates as of May 1, 2020
On Monday, #JerseyCity will expand testing and we will provide free Corona testing to ANY resident requesting it – even residents not showing any symptoms. We believe expanding our testing is important to getting our local economy back. We will also be putting our… pic.twitter.com/zAsMWQDEzF
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) April 30, 2020
“We will provide free Corona testing to ANY resident requesting it – even residents not showing any symptoms. We believe expanding our testing is important to getting our local economy back,” Mayor Fulop said via Tweet. “We will also be putting our most vulnerable communities and front line workers on regular testing rotations to both keep them safe and also to identify potential larger clusters earlier. Appointment are still necessary so please call the testing appointment line to move forward.”
Currently, Jersey City has testing sites at two locations. A walk-up testing center for all Jersey City residents at 140 MLK Drive {in the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center} and a drive-thru location at the former DPW Complex 575 NJ-440, Jersey City — residents must call 201-547-5535 to schedule an appointment.
In Hoboken
Beyond antibody testing, on Wednesday, April 29th, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced that the Mile Square’s testing site through Riverside Medical Group is now open to residents with and without COVID-19 symptoms.
“As has been stated by medical professionals across the country, an increase in testing is critical to our region in order to re-open the local economy. This is especially important as many individuals may have COVID-19 but are unaware because they do not exhibit any symptoms,” he said in a previous press release.
Read More: Latest Jersey City + Hoboken COVID-19 Updates as of May 13, 2020
On a State Level
And to top it all off, all of this news all comes a few hours after NJ Governor Phil Murphy announced that non-essential construction and retail stores can begin and reopen on Monday, May 18th. This news comes just a few weeks after the governor unveiled a six-point plan “for responsibly reopening New Jersey.”
See More: NJ Governor Murphy Unveils Plans ‘for Responsibly Reopening New Jersey’
New Jersey has 141,560 cases of COVID-19, with 17,035 right here in Hudson County.
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Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla Announces He Will Not Run for Re-Election
After two terms of serving as Hoboken's Mayor since 2017, Ravi Bhalla announced he will not run for re-election for a third term this November. Mayor Bhalla sent out the following statement to Hoboken locals on Friday, January 10th, 2025 to announce the news.
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
"I write to first and foremost wish you and your family a Happy New Year! 2024 was a year of tremendous progress for Hoboken, which I know we will continue in the New Year.
Serving as your Mayor these past seven years has been and will continue to be the privilege of my lifetime. I am immensely proud of the historic improvements we’ve made together on everything from securing the former Union Dry Dock site for public use, creating a model for pedestrian safety through our Vision Zero campaign, opening what is likely the country’s largest resiliency park at ResilienCity Park, and so much more.
After conversations with my family, I have decided not to run for re-election this November for a third term as Mayor. While I plan to pursue public service through a different path, I wanted to let you know that 2025 will be my last year as Mayor of our great City.
I’m more than confident about the future of Hoboken, and the path our team has paved for whomever is elected as your next leader. Our waterfront is now, once and for all, free from development. We have adopted redevelopment plans that maintain the charm and character of our City, while providing needed revitalization. We’ve preserved over 10 acres of land for public parkland, without sacrificing major concessions. And we have continued a model of transparency for major city projects, that I am fully confident the public will press for going forward.
Fortunately, Hoboken is home to a number of talented public servants and activists, and I have no doubt that the future is bright. I also have full faith that the voters of Hoboken will select a trusted leader to bring our City to even greater heights in the years ahead.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to extend my gratitude for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as the Mayor of Hoboken, and I'm confident in the coming years, the best is yet to come.
Sincerely,
Ravi Bhalla
Mayor"
Mayor Bhalla also announced the news via Instagram. See the full post below.
View this post on Instagram
Back in December of 2023, Mayor Bhalla announced his run for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District in the Democratic Primary. His opponent was Democrat Rob Menendez, son of Senator Bob Menendez. Menedez won the election.
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