While North Bergen town hall remains closed as the township urges everyone to refrain from unnecessary public interactions, most services are available online and by phone.
Municipal employees continue to work and are available to answer questions by phone and email. Residents are urged to conduct business remotely.
For frequently-requested forms, visit northbergen.org/forms. Completed forms can be emailed or deposited in the drop box by the chambers entrance.
Residents and property owners can use the township’s website for tax payments. For general questions, email nbhelpdesk@northbergen.org.
No office visits will be permitted in town hall, with the exception of the Health Department and Building Department, by appointment only.
All branches of the North Bergen Public Library are closed to the public. Many services are still available, and staff are on site during normal library hours.
Services include door-side and locker item pickup, book drops, amnesty on overdue books, access to databases and e-materials, online programming, and registration for library cards.
Call the library for assistance at 201-869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
The North Bergen library offers live chat services at NBPL.org. Ask a librarian for help with research, logging onto online resources, book recommendations, and more.
Live chat is available Monday through Friday during library hours. Additional hours may vary.
Surviving the surge
As of Dec. 11, the township had 5,906 confirmed cases, and 247 deaths.
This marks a 617 jump in cases since the week before, and five additional deaths. This is the eighth consecutive week that cases have increased by more than 100, the fifth consecutive week that cases rose by more than 500, and the first week that cases rose by more than 600.
The new testing site in Braddock Park is open for walk-up or drive-thru on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Tests include the COVID-19 Nasal Swab and Serology Antibody Test.
No appointment is necessary. There is no out-of-pocket cost for township residents and no insurance co-pay.
Two other free testing sites are available by appointment-only with proof of residency.
Call the Walk-in Urgent Care Center, 7405 Bergenline Ave., at (201) 636-6763; call Diligent Medical Care, 3725 Liberty Ave., at (201) 834-8887; or text COVID to (973) 447-3559.
Residents are urged to get tested, socially distance, and wear masks.
North Bergen provides free masks to residents. Call 201-392-2157 or email NBCares@northbergen.org.
North Hudson numbers rise
As of Dec. 9, Union City had 6,720 confirmed cases, and 238 deaths. The number of positive cases has gone up by 447, and there were four deaths since Dec. 3.
West New York had 3,821 confirmed cases, 892 recoveries, and 154 deaths as of Dec. 11. Cases have risen by 334, and deaths have risen by five since Dec. 3.
As of Dec. 11, Secaucus had 1,400 confirmed cases and 52 deaths. Data from the town indicates a rise in cases by 183 since Dec. 3.
Weehawken had 74 confirmed cases, 557 recoveries, and 25 deaths as of Dec. 9. The number of positive cases has gone up by 14, and another death has been recorded since Dec. 2.
As of Dec. 4, Guttenberg had 73 confirmed cases, 389 recoveries, and 33 deaths. Data from the town indicates cases have dropped by 25, while another death has been recorded since Nov. 24.
Residents are advised to wear masks, social distance, wash hands, stay home if ill, and avoid large crowds.
How to get COVID-19 tested
North Hudson residents can get tested for COVID-19 and antibodies in Union City at 36th St. between Bergenline Ave. and Kennedy Blvd.
For Monday and Friday appointments, call 201-537-5704; for Tuesday and Thursday appointments, call 201-366-8465. Walk-ins are welcome on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Residents can get tested at Hudson Regional Hospital, 55 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus: Mondays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Make an appointment by calling 201-388-1097 Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents must be at least five years old for COVID-19 and antibody tests, and six months old for flu vaccines. Results are emailed within 24 hours.
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.
