While the number of COVID-19 cases is no longer in the single digits, cases remain low.
By mid-September, the number of cases had stabilized and continues to decrease. On Oct. 1, the Office of Emergency Management announced there were 10 cases.
Mayor James Davis gave a video update on Oct. 1. “It’s hard to believe the crisis began back in March, and its been seven months now of COVID-19 updates,” Davis said.
He continued: “Our city has been through quite a bit, and as I have been reporting, we are coming back… Bayonne continues to do very well in our defense against COVID-19 due to the incredible cooperation we have seen amongst our community.”
Davis encouraged residents to continue social distancing, being careful, and practicing good hygiene.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 77 Bayonne residents have died. A total of 1,393 residents tested positive, regardless of where that test was given, as of Oct. 1.
COVID-19 hospitalizations at Bayonne Medical Center (BMC) remain low, as most residents recover at home. There is one COVID-19 patient at BMC as of Oct. 1.
The Bayonne Department of Health advised residents who have recently taken a COVID-19 test to be sure to answer their phones for contact tracers and BHD staff.
COVID-19 by the numbers
Throughout June and July, active COVID-19 cases dropped dramatically. According to OEM’s Junior Ferrante, only 49 residents tested positive in June.
By June 10, the city had more residents who had recovered than were still sick. As of June 25, active COVID-19 cases dropped below 400.
On July 3, the number of active cases fell below 300, and the number of recoveries topped 800.
By July 10, active cases had dropped to 75, falling to 62 cases on July 16, 23 cases on July 23, and 17 cases on July 30.
Cases began to climb again in August.
On Aug. 13, OEM announced there were 26 positive residents, jumping from just nine on Aug. 6.
By Aug. 20, there were 31 active cases. By late August, the numbers began trending downward, as OEM announced there were 16 positive residents on Aug. 27.
In early September, the number of active cases fluctuated.
On Sept. 3, OEM reported another increase to 21 active cases. That fell to 20 cases on Sept. 10. and plummeted to 11 cases on Sept. 17.
By Sept. 24, cases were back to single-digits with only nine COVID-19 positive residents.
According to Ferrante, testing was an early challenge due to the limited number of test kits nationwide. As testing has become widespread, the number of positive cases has declined.
How to get tested
BMC’s drive-thru testing at Veterans Stadium has ceased. Residents with a prescription and an appointment will be tested at BMC.
The RiteAid at 54th Street and Broadway offers free testing for all residents over 18 via drive-thru.
Visit riteaid.com to register. Residents do not need to be symptomatic, nor do they need a prescription.
CityMD on Route 440 offers COVID-19 testing, walk-ins only.
CityMD and BMC are conducting antibody testing. Residents should call 2-1-1 for a list of testing sites throughout the state.
The BHD is immediately notified of positive results and contacts individuals to begin contact tracing.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
