As the COVID-19 pandemic devastates nursing homes Hudson County, local communities have come together in various ways to show support for first responders, nurses, and other workers fighting on the front lines of the virus.

In Bayonne, the Chamber of Commerce organized a second successful drive-by parade of Bayonne Medical Center to honor staff and show local support.

North Bergen has organized a similar drive-by event to honor the staff of Palisades Medical Center. Nearby, Guttenburg holds a daily “clap-out” at 7 p.m. where residents are encouraged to open their windows and clap for frontline employees.

In Secaucus, the town has posted videos from local children, cheering on first responders with short messages of gratitude.

Now, residents of North Bergen seek to continue the trend by establishing a support group for the staff of a local nursing home.

Supporters of the Harborage

Unshaken by the outbreak, locals have rallied together to form a support group for one of the three nursing homes in North Bergen hit hard by COVID-19. North Bergen’s nursing homes sit at the epicenter of the outbreak in the township, recording 66 deaths among residents of nursing homes alone.

The aforementioned nursing home is The Harborage, a 245-bed nursing home providing patients with long-term-care.

The Supporters of the Harborage, (SOTH) was started to provide food donations to staff during the pandemic.

“We are a group of like-minded people hoping to help the staff of The Harborage, the rehab/senior housing at Palisades Medical Center,” according to SOTH. “Help us help The Harborage feed front line workers at this hard-hit North Bergen, NJ nursing home, one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 in Hudson County, with 181 confirmed positives, and 25 deaths.”

However, SOTH is not collecting donations. Instead, SOTH is connecting individual donors to participating restaurants to provide the safest means of donating food the nursing home.

Donors contribute directly to the restaurants who will then deliver the meals to the hardworking Harborage front line workers, according to SOTH.

Any restaurants who would like to participate or sponsor a meal are advised to email Erica Seitzman at Erica.Seitzman@gmail.com or via Facebook messenger.

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.

First responders have been among the hardest hit groups amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as workers on the frontlines contract the virus while fighting to keep patients alive.

While initially scarce, testing for the virus has expanded across Hudson County as testing kits become more available. Among those included in the first waves of mandated testing are the first responders in the trenches of the war against COVID-19.

The Township of North Bergen announced on April 24 that the North Bergen Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, and all other frontline employees will be tested for COVID-19.

The rapid tests will enable township officials to make necessary decisions to better serve residents, regarding workers on the frontlines. These tests are being administered to ensure those interacting with the public are COVID-19 free to protect the health of residents, according to the township.

The COVID-19 test also tests for antibodies, which may be the key to finding a cure for the virus. The antibodies found in the plasma of virus survivors may provide scientists with what they need to develop a cure or vaccine.

“The individuals dealing with the general public must be COVID-19 free to ensure the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “Knowing that our front line personnel are free of this deadly virus enables us to better allocate resources and personnel to maintain services and do so in a safe and responsible manner.”

Testing at North Bergen Recreation Center

The tests will be administered to EMS, police, firefighters and other township front line personnel at the North Bergen Recreation Center at 6300 Meadowview Ave.

During the testing, all front line responders will be required to wear proper personal protective equipment and adhere to strict distancing guidelines to prevent the further spread of the virus.

The North Bergen Police Department has had a total of 13 officers test positive since the onset of the pandemic, with 8 officers being cleared to return to work.

This follows North Bergen’s previous move to make testing more available to those most vulnerable to COVID-19. Recently, the township announced it would be testing 100 percent of all local nursing homes after the death toll figures show that an overwhelming majority of victims lived at one of the three facilities in North Bergen.

Out of the 110 residents who passed away, 66 were elderly residents living at nursing homes.

North Bergen has taken numerous other actions at the direction of public health officials to limit the spread of the virus, all of which are accessible to residents on the township website’s dedicated COVID-19 Updates pages in both English and Spanish.

Residents should also follow the township’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which are updated multiple times per day.

For more information, residents can call the NJ COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or visit covid19.nj.gov.

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.

Holy Name Medical Center is bringing services directly to patients’ doors as they recover. These essential workers continue to fight on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These services provide at-home care for COVID-19 patients who have recently been discharged from the hospital but still may need additional care during the transition back to life at home.

During a home-care visit, workers are equipped with protective equipment, including gloves, masks, and gowns.

A spokesperson for Holy Name Medical Center, Dr. Miriam St-Germain, announced the new service online on North Bergen Community Forum.

“North Bergen residents, we are glad to inform you, that we will provide Home Health Care Service with our team,” St-Germain wrote.

Hospital to home

Holy Name Medical Center’s Home Care Department provides a range of services to assist a patient’s transition from the hospital to home, according to St-Germain. Patients will receive high-quality healthcare services while recuperating in the comfort of their own homes.

To help ensure this transition, a registered nurse is on call 24/7.

In collaboration with the patient’s physician, the health professionals of Holy Name Home Care can provide patients with a care plan designed to meet the specific needs of each patient.

“Through the education and supervision of our licensed and certified staff, we strive to ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care available and are treated with the utmost dignity and respect,” St-Germain said.

Holy Name Medical Center’s discharge planners work with a resident’s physician to refer him or her to the Holy Name Home Care.

Referrals can come directly from a resident’s personal physician. Holy Name Medical Center will work with residents’ physicians to determine their home care needs.

“Our nurses are working on the front line of this pandemic, and they are trained to provide high standards of care and education to the patients and families,” St-Germain wrote.

For more information, call Holy Name Home Care at 201-833-3740.

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.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, local hospitals struggle to find open hospital beds. In hopes of adding over 2,000 more beds, Gov. Phil Murphy issued an executive order mandating the construction of field hospitals, including on at the Secaucus Meadowlands, and reopening closed hospital facilities across the state.

In North Bergen, the Chief Hospital Executive at Palisades Medical Center remains optimistic despite the razor thin number of beds available at the hospital. Dr. Anthony Passannante detailed the state of the hospital more than 40 days into the unprecedented crisis.

“Most days we find our Emergency Department and patient floors are at capacity even with the additional beds we have added to meet this demand,” Dr. Passannante said.

But patients are recovering. In fact, staff at Palisades Medical Center have developed a sendoff to help celebrate patients who have recovered from the virus and are being discharged.

“We play a few notes from the theme to ‘Rocky’ every time we discharge a COVID-19 patient,” Dr. Passannante explained. “Like the underdog boxer, we know we will defeat our opponent thanks to the tireless efforts of our team members and physicians.”

Like ‘Rocky,’ the staff at Palisades Medical Center have also risen to the occasion, continuing to battle on the front lines of the pandemic.

“I am forever grateful for, and inspired daily by the dedication and compassion demonstrated by our team members despite the strain that the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on all of them,” Dr. Passannante said. “There is a collective sense of calm and purpose among our nurses, physicians, front-line caregivers and support staff that brings life to the words ‘stronger together.’”

Dr. Passannante offered his thanks on behalf of the hospital to first responders, donors, friends and members of the community who have rallied to support their team through generous donations, cards of thanks, and a recent salute by the local police, fire and emergency services personnel.

However, despite the generous donations, more funds are needed to maintain operations during the fight against COVID-19.

“Our COVID-19 Response Fund will help us in meeting our growing needs as this battle continues for the foreseeable future,” Dr. Passannante said. “Please make a donation to our COVID-19 Response Fund to support our work during this critical time.”

To make a donation, residents interested can donate to the COVID-19 Response Fund online at https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/covid19/covid-19-response-fund/

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.

Guttenberg Arts Gallery remains closed for social distancing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your fill of their unique brand of arts and information. The Arts Gallery recently posted a message of hope on April 14, addressed to the Guttenberg Arts Community.

“We hope you are all in good health and staying safe in these difficult times,” the letter read. “We look forward to reopening our doors as soon possible, but will continue to remain closed until further notice in accordance with NJ State during this unprecedented public health emergency.”

The doors are closed at the Guttenberg Arts Gallery, but that’s okay because the content has moved online. For North Hudson residents plagued by boredom or stress during the ongoing pandemic, the online content from the Guttenberg Arts Gallery may provide a distraction.

“To take your mind off of current events, we have rejuvenated our YouTube Channel and have begun to post interviews and artist talks with our past artists in residence,” the letter continued. “Please enjoy this trip down memory lane beginning with conversations featuring our Summer 2019 Artists in Residence: Habib Hajallie, Robert Lach, Dennis Redmoon Darkeem and Napoles Marty.”

So far, there are four videos posted in total, one for each artist. The videos range from nine to twenty minutes, featuring in depth conversations with each artist mentioned above regarding the inner workings of their mind.

Chris Tsakis helped the artists get “Out of Their Heads” in the aforementioned Guttenberg Arts web series that shares the same name. The videos were taped at the July 27 opening at the Guttenberg Arts Gallery in 2019.

Prior to the revamp of the Guttenberg Arts YouTube page, the last video posted was approximately three years ago.

It seems that one somewhat unforeseen after effect of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the greater embrace of technology by a number of businesses and services seeking to survive in the “new normal.”

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.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages, local communities have been inventing new ways to honor first responders who are fighting on the frontlines of the virus.

One way of celebrating front line workers has become somewhat prominent in New Jersey, having occurred at the least twice in Hudson County. In North Bergen, this was exactly the case.

Gov. Phil Murphy and Mayor Nicholas Sacco had previously honored some healthcare workers at Palisades Medical Center for their outstanding work during the pandemic on Twitter. Now, Mayor Nicholas Sacco has taken the celebration to the hospital.

A parade took place on April 14 around the hospital on River Road in North Bergen, paying tribute to the men and women working tirelessly and risking their lives daily to tend to the sick and battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vehicles from the North Bergen Police Department and North Bergen Emergency Medical Services paraded along with North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue and other local police departments to honor the “hospital heroes.”

The celebration was mutual, in fact, as hospital workers and staff stood outside waving and holding signs expressing their thanks to the first responders.

In addition, Mayor Sacco joined with state Assembly members Angelica Jimenez and Pedro Mejia to send hundreds of lunches to the hospital for the healthcare workers.

“We are thankful for everyone working on the front line, and this is a small gesture of appreciation,” said Mayor Sacco.

Video of the event shows crowded streets which appear to be counter-productive to Gov. Murphy’s social distancing directives. In the past, Murphy has even specifically cautioned against such drive-by parades, which usual don’t amass crowds on the sidewalk.

However, this was a unusual instance where the recipients of the drive-by parade came outside to show their support for those supporting them.

In the wake of the video, Gov. Murphy’s comments on drive-by parades become more relevant. Gov. Murphy said residents have got to be very careful in regards to drive-by parades.

“I think they’re incredibly emotional. And it allows folks to express their appreciation or acknowledgement in the case of someone who’s passed,” Murphy continued. “I don’t think there’s one quick answer on that. But I think we’ve have to be very careful because we want people to stay at home.”

According to Gov. Murphy, even if you’re in a car by yourself, you are going out. Murphy thinks residents need to hold drive-by parades in moderation.

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.

Many public events and gatherings have been cancelled due to Gov. Phil Murphy’s stay-at-home order to curtail the further spread of the Coronavirus.

While some adults struggle to cope with the cancellation of a concert or wedding, children miss their play dates and birthday parties, leading some parents to resume scheduling these events despite the stay-at-home order and social distancing measures.

In Weehawken, the township has even warned parents to stop scheduling play dates and hosting birthday parties because children are susceptible to COVID-19.

Despite the restrictions, the township of North Bergen found a way to celebrate one local resident’s birthday in style, regardless of the social distancing.

The North Bergen Police Department arranged a very special Happy Birthday greeting for a local boy named Adrian on April 14.

Sgt. Echeverria, P.O. Yousef, and P.O. Guillen cruised past his home in their police vehicles to wish Adrian a very happy 12th birthday. A classic rendition of Happy Birthday blasted from police car speakers.

Nearby, family and neighbors sang along and cheered. A video shows officers delivering the special birthday message.

“Happy birthday buddy! On behalf of the North Bergen Police Department and the Township of North Bergen, we want to wish you a happy birthday,” an officer announced to the 12-year-old. “12 is a great age my man, have fun and enjoy!”

In the video, the police officers stayed in or right beside their vehicles while residents remained at their doorstep, more than six feet away.

The North Bergen Police Department reminds everyone to stay at home and stay safe. Currently, North Bergen has been deemed a COVID-19 hotspot by Gov. Phil Murphy, and is expected to see a rise in the number of residents who test positive for the virus and potentially die from COVID-19.

Residents are advised to follow North Bergen official social media pages, in both English and Spanish, for daily updates or to visit the township’s website at www.northbergen.org or the COVID-19 Information Hub at covid19.nj.gov.

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.

As the COVID-19 pandemic worsened this spring, Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the closure of nonessential businesses to limit the spread of the virus.

Only essential businesses are allowed to operate, and only under certain rules. Restaurants are open for takeout and delivery only. Occupancy is limited in establishments still open to the public.

But some businesses are not adhering to the guidelines, so North Bergen officials are now taking steps to enforce social-distancing regulations.

The North Bergen Police Department and Health Department will conduct inspections to ensure compliance and will issue summonses to non-compliant businesses.

Township officials have released a list of COVID-19 social-distancing regulations for local businesses. Officials are calling on business owners and managers to observe these rules. The directives mirror the executive order signed by Gov. Murphy.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco said it’s important that all residents do their part by making sure local businesses follow the rules.

“The essential businesses that have remained open during this crisis must take steps to ensure that their employees and customers are safe, and we will take action if necessary to make sure that they do,” Sacco said. “This is a situation where lives are at stake, and we will take these directives very seriously in order to keep our residents safe.”

Social-distancing regulations

Occupancy must be limited to 50 percent of the stated maximum store capacity. Hours of operation must be established exclusively for senior citizens and high-risk individuals wherever possible.

Physical barriers are required between customers and cashiers, or six feet of distance between those individuals. Six feet of spacing must be marked in checkout lines.

Workers and customers are required to wear cloth face coverings while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit an individual’s health or where the customer is accompanied by a child under two years of age. Workers are required to wear gloves when in contact with customers or goods. Businesses must provide, at their expense, face coverings and gloves for their employees.

Residents are encouraged to speak up if they witness a business violating the regulations. To report violations, residents can call the North Bergen Police Department at 201-392-2100.

The NBPD released a message of gratitude and hope on social media to residents who are abiding by the social-distancing measures.

“COVID-19 has altered our way of life, and we want to thank the residents of North Bergen for adjusting to it,” the NBPD wrote. “In order to flatten the curve, please continue practicing social distancing and travel only when necessary.”

Residents are encouraged to follow the township’s social media pages, which are available in both English and Spanish and are updated multiple times per day, as well as the township’s website at northbergen.org.

For more information, residents can call the NJ COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or visit covid19.nj.gov.

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.