Update on case count as of March 15, 2020:
The City of Hoboken has announced two more positive cases of Coronavirus — two people in their 30s and 40s.
See below for the Nixle alert from Mayor Bhalla:
Below is a statement from Mayor Bhalla regarding two additional positive COVID-19 cases in Hoboken:
I was informed by the Hoboken Health Department that there are now two additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Hoboken, identified as one male in his 30s and another male in his 40s. Both individuals currently are in self-isolation at home. Our Hoboken Health Department officers have been in contact with them, and both are expected to recover.
As will be the case with every positive result, the Hoboken Health Department has proactively reached out to anyone who was in contact with both individuals, and are being recommended for self-quarantine with continued monitoring. Due to strict confidentiality laws, we cannot disclose more detailed information about the two individuals with positive cases, but please know that our health office is doing everything possible to develop a timeline of events and notify anyone who may have been affected.
Unfortunately, this type of announcement may become the new normal as we expect substantial increase of cases both locally and across the country. Doing everything now, proactively to address this national crisis can literally save lives in Hoboken, especially our large senior population. Please keep them in mind during these difficult times.
Please also remember that if you believe you are sick, be sure to call your primary care physician first instead of going to the emergency room. We anticipate a likely surge of cases impacting the capacity of Hoboken University Medical Center in the coming weeks, and the emergency room must be available for those needing critical care.
The best thing residents can continue to do is to practice social distancing, washing your hands, working from home, and most importantly, staying home if you are sick.
We’ll get through this together – thank you to everyone for working together to keep our city safe.
On March 13th, the City of Hoboken issued an announcement regarding its “first known positive case” of the Coronavirus. In an official statement by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, he said that the “the Hoboken Health Department that the first known positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Hoboken was identified as a male in his 40’s. The affected individual has been kept in self-isolation at home. The Hoboken Health Department has been in close contact with the individual, who is only experiencing mild symptoms and is expected to recover fully.”
This news comes quite literally just minutes after the first “presumptive positive” case was announced in Jersey City.
Here’s what you need to know about this developing story:
The First Case of COVID-19 in Hoboken
On March 13th, Mayor Bhalla announced that the Hoboken Health Department had informed that a “male in his 40s” has tested positive for the Coronavirus.
“The affected individual has been kept in self-isolation at home. The Hoboken Health Department has been in close contact with the individual, who is only experiencing mild symptoms and is expected to recover fully,” the official statement read.
The Hoboken Department of Health has been working on a timeline of events and is notifying any individual who has been in contact with the patient. They are being recommended “for self-quarantine, as advised by the New Jersey Department of Health.” The Hoboken Department of Health is monitoring these individuals closely as well.
See More: First ‘Presumptive Positive’ Case of Coronavirus in Jersey City
It’s important to note that this will likely not be the last case of COVID-19 in the local community. “We, unfortunately, anticipate the likelihood of additional positive COVID-19 cases to be confirmed in the days and weeks ahead, which have not yet been discovered,” Mayor Bhalla said. “However, we are doing everything possible to limit the spread of COVID-19 through proactive measures and regulations.”
The news also comes days after the City of Hoboken’s Office of Emergency Management declared a state of emergency.
Proactive Measures You Can Take
The Hoboken Department of Health states that if you are a resident of the city and believe you have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, to “contact your healthcare provider first instead of going to the emergency room.”
“You may also contact the Hoboken Health Department at 201-420-2000 ext. 5211 if you believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19,” the aforementioned statement reads.
Symptoms of the virus can occur within two to 14 days of exposure.
Read More: Coronavirus Update: Hoboken Declares State of Emergency and Closes School District
Additionally, the NJ Department of Health suggests that additional precautionary measures be taken, including:
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Stay home while you are sick and avoid contact with others
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
- Receive a seasonal flu vaccine {while the vaccine can’t prevent the Coronavirus, it can minimize the number of residents with flu-like symptoms}
- Review and follow the Centers for Disease Control {CDC} travel advisories when planning travel. If you become ill after returning home, call your healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office or emergency department of a hospital.
Again, we will keep you updated on this developing story. For additional resources, consult the New Jersey Department of Health, the CDC’s FAQ page, and the CDC’s COVID-19 page.
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