What you need to know for Thursday, April 2:
1: City officials have released a COVID-19 dashboard for residents of Jersey City. The dashboard tracks and compares numbers from Hudson County, Jersey City, and New York City. (The dashboard has been updated with numbers as of April 1. Jersey City has 841 cases). —JC Dashboard
2: In an informal Facebook Live video, Mayor Steven Fulop provides a few updates on how officials are handling coronavirus in Jersey City:
COVID-19 testing: The city has performed more than 1,000 tests since opening its coronavirus test centers last Friday. Jersey City is turning around tests faster than the state. The city signed a contract directly with the testing company so the city brings the kits directly to the labs at the end of each day and picks them up in the morning, says Mayor Fulop.
COVID-19 stats: As of April 2, there are 841 COVID-19 positive cases in Jersey City. Fatalities are near 20.
JC Hospitals: JCMC is using about 75% of their ventilators and about 82% of their beds, says Mayor Fulop. They haven’t expressed the need for more. Christ Hospital has similar numbers, but higher occupancy on the bed front. According to Mayor Fulop, Christ Hospital has more ventilators than JCMC.
JCPD/JCFD: About 35 police officers and 13 firefighters have tested positive.
Price gouging: The city continues to crack down on price gouging and has written dozens of violations and warnings to businesses. Price gouging should be reported to the New Jersey Consumer Affairs at 1-(800) 242-5846. Complaints can also be filed online at the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
Personal Protective Equipment: “We are relatively well equipped,” says Fulop. The city began buying PPE in January.
Construction sites: Mayor Fulop explains that the city’s executive order is no longer in place. Instead, the entire state is adhering to Governor Murphy’s executive order, which allows construction sites to continue work.
Local relief: The city wants to set up a local relief fund to help people that are struggling. “We’re trying to figure out how to give to businesses, or renters, or home owners, to compliment the federal and state program.” The city is also looking to freeze rent increases. The city can’t waive rents, but they’re looking at ways to protect residents.
3: New Jersey currently has 22,255 (up from 18,696) positive COVID-19 cases with 355 deaths (up from 267) total. The counties with the most positive cases are:
- Bergen County: 3,494 w/ 75 deaths (up from 2,909)
- Essex: 2,262 w/ 69 deaths (up from 1,900)
- Hudson: 1,910 w/ 29 deaths (up from 1,606)
- Union: 1,661 w/ 29 deaths (up from 1,418)
- Passaic: 1,494 w/ 15 deaths (up from 1,294)
- Middlesex: 1,493 w/ 27 deaths (up from 1,277)
- info via New Jersey COVID-19 Dashboard (Note: Some counties are performing more tests than others, which could be contributing to the sharp increase in positive cases).
Where can you get coronavirus testing in Jersey City?
- Jersey City has two coronavirus testing facilities open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm.
- You must call (201) 547-5535 to make an appointment.
- A walk-up center is located at the JC Fire Headquarters at 465 Marin Boulevard.
- A drive-thru testing facility is located at 575 Route 440.
- Grocery store workers and health care workers will be tested first.
How you can help
- Ward E Councilperson James Solomon & team have created a Google doc with ways you can donate/volunteer/help organizations in Jersey City
- Running list of restaurants offering pickup and delivery.
- Running list of fundraisers for hospitality workers.
- We’re also posting restaurant news/menus daily on our IG Stories
