Bayonne has ended its weekly COVID-19 updates from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Mayor James Davis made the announcement in what is also likely his last weekly COVID-19 video update on March 31.
The move to end the COVID-19 updates nearly two years after the onset of the pandemic follows local data which shows the virus receding in the city, according to Davis. The end of the updates also coincides with a wind-down of the city-run virus testing at the Bayonne Community Museum on March 18 and the closure of the vaccination site at the Korpi Ice Rink at Bayonne High School on March 31.
“We are still seeing very good reports about COVID-19 in the community,” Davis said.
Local hospitalizations remain in the single digits at just three, according to Davis and OEM. There have been no positivity rates posted since the city-run site closed, but for the second week of March the rate was 19 percent or four out of 21 tests coming back positive. Previously, OEM said that it stopped listing active case numbers due to the availability of at-home and rapid tests and the difficulty those factors made determining an exact number.
“Currently, only three residents are admitted to Bayonne Medical Center with the Coronavirus,” Davis said.
With the closing of the the Korpi Ice Rink vaccination site, Davis thanked those who helped made it possible.
“I want to express my gratitude to Superintendent Niesz, the Board of Education, and the entire staff of the Bayonne High School,” Davis said. “They have been outstanding partners throughout this health emergency.”
While the updates, as well as city-run testing and vaccinations, are no more, the Bayonne OEM will still continue to publish the locations of sites in the city where residents can get tested or vaccinated for COVID-19, Davis said.
“They will utilize social media, the city website, and BAY-TV to keep this information available to anyone seeking these services,” Davis said.
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