Here’s what you need to know for Monday, April 20:
1: The city doesn’t update COVID-19 stats on weekends, so here are the numbers as of the last update. Confirmed coronavirus cases in Jersey City stand at 3,194 (up from 2,972). The city experienced a spike of 222 new cases on Thursday, April 16 (the third-largest one-day jump ever). April 16 also saw the highest one-day spike in deaths (75 cases), which brings the city’s total COVID-19-related deaths to 239. As of April 15, the city has performed 4,913 tests in a city of more than 300,000 residents. —COVID-19 JC Stats
2: In an e-mail blast, Mayor Steven Fulop acknowledged that the city will “periodically move the [COVID-19 testing] sites around the City to make sure we are serving the most people.” The city’s two sites are currently located at the Bethune Center and 575 Route 440. The downtown site has closed.
3: New Jersey currently has 85,301 positive COVID-19 cases (up from 81,420) with 4,202 deaths (up from 4,070). —NJ Dept. of Health
- (Note: Some counties are performing more tests than others, which could be contributing to the sharp increase in positive cases).
4: Eater reports that Shake Shack has received a $10 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. Shack Shack qualified for the small business loan because they don’t hire more than 500 employees per location. (That seems to be the key factor that allows larger chains to qualify for the small business loan). However, founder and chairman Danny Meyer recently wrote that they’re giving back the loan because “we’re fortunate to now have access to capital that others do not.” —Eater
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 Bethune Center at 140 MLK Drive.
- A drive-thru testing facility is located at 575 Route 440.
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
- We’ve created a listed of grocery delivery services in Jersey City
- Here’s a running list of restaurants offering pickup and delivery
- Here’s a running list of fundraisers for hospitality workers
- We’re also posting restaurant news/menus daily on our IG Stories
