Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla to Hoboken residents:

First, I want to start off by thanking the many volunteers who continue to help provide resources to our homeless populations. Despite the challenging circumstances and social distancing requirements, volunteers at the Hoboken Shelter, St. Matthew Trinity, and more continue their mission to feed those less fortunate than us. Two highlights: last Monday, volunteers at All Saint’s Episcopal Day School collected 88 dozen hard boiled eggs and 60 warm blankets for St. Matthew Lunchtime Ministry, while members of the United Synagogue of Hoboken made ten masks for Hoboken Shelter volunteers to wear this week. A big thank you to all those who donated their time for this worthy cause.

11 New COVID-19 positive tests

The Hoboken Health Department reported 11 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 today: a male and female in their mid 70s, a female in her late 40s, two males in their early 40s, a female in her mid 30s, a female in her early 30s, a male in his early 30s a female in her late 20s, a male in his mid 20s, and a male without an age specified. None of the 11 reported individuals were hospitalized, while there are 40 total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hoboken. This increase in confirmed cases is not a surprise, as with more tests being done, more positive cases get reported. This is a trend that is unfortunately occurring across the country.

Please limit all non-essential travel

Despite the mandatory stay-at-home orders by both Governor Murphy in New Jersey and Governor Cuomo in New York, we are still seeing Hoboken residents commute to and from New York City on a daily basis. I am again making the ask to anyone commuting to New York City or any other region who is non-essential, to work from home. Remaining in self-isolation at home is the best way to stay safe from COVID-19. This isn’t just for your benefit, but for the safety of all residents of Hoboken, especially our most vulnerable populations.

I am completely aware that remaining at home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is not possible. But, we can all continue to do our part to limit travel outside with everyday actions, like:

• Being strategic about trips to the supermarket or ordering for grocery delivery
• Taking an online gym class to do from home
• Having an online conversation with Hoboken friends instead of seeing them in person at the park
• Ordering an additional meal when getting takeout or pick-up, to limit multiple trips

If you can help avoid travel outside, please, help and do so. Thank you.

Volunteering

Hoboken has so many generous residents, and I thank everyone who has reached out to me asking to help those in need. As mentioned yesterday, the Hoboken Community Center, City Council and other stakeholders announced the formation of a food pantry to help provide food for those in need. If you’re interested in volunteering, please call 551-285-6444 or email hobokenfoodnow@gmail.com. Volunteers can help organize donations, and shop for and bag items for delivery. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this food pantry possible.

Hudson County is also looking for medical and non-medical volunteers to help at the new COVID-19 testing site in Secaucus. Medical workers are needed between 9 am and 6 pm to help conduct testing, and non-medical workers between 9 am and 9 pm to help schedule testing appointments at a call center. Interested volunteers are asked to email Christina Butieg-Bianco of Hudson Regional Health Commission at cbutieb@hudsonregionalhealth.org.

Blood drive

Unfortunately, blood donations have been substantially reduced across the region because of the cancellation of blood drives. But, thanks to Jill Singleton and the All Saints Episcopal Day School, two blood drives have been organized in Hoboken on April 2 and April 3, both from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.

To register for April 2:

https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/52406

To register for April 3:

https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/52407

Banks

I’ve heard from residents that certain banks have recently closed their doors. According to the City and State’s recent orders, banks have been deemed as essential businesses and are permitted to open. This will continue to be the case; however some banks may have chosen to close despite this designation.

No soliciting reminder

As a reminder, all door-to-door soliciting is now prohibited. My office heard that individuals posing as an energy company were going door-to-door in recent days. If you see this occurring, please call the Hoboken Police Department at 201-420-2100.

Thank you and stay safe,

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla