Hoboken to Begin Testing Residents in Senior Housing

The City of Hoboken announced that it will be testing residents in its senior buildings for Coronavirus, as a disproportionate number of seniors have been impacted by the pandemic.

“We are taking the proactive steps to test seniors in certain senior buildings for COVID-19, thanks to a partnership with Prompt MD, and the recommendation from the Hoboken Health Office,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla, in a statement over the weekend.

The tests will be conducted in the senior buildings, in an effort to reach as many of those residents as possible.

“Knowing that it can be difficult for seniors to travel across Hoboken to the uptown facility, with the potential for greater exposure, Dr. Javed Islam has offered to provide the necessary equipment to test seniors in one of the senior buildings this Wednesday.”

The program with Dr. Islam and Prompt MD has been coordinated with Director Leo Pellegrini, Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Sgt. William Montanez, Councilman Ruben Ramos and the Council, and Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro to offer these services to Hoboken.

“If a senior’s medical insurance does not cover the cost of the test, the City will pay for it without charge to the senior,” said Bhalla.

Hoboken’s senior community has been particularly hard hit by COVID-19. As of Saturday, Hoboken had 473 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, with 23 fatalities. Twenty-two of those who passed were over the age of 60.

Community leaders have also set up a task force to help meet the demands of Hoboken’s seniors.

“We are taking action,” says Hoboken Housing Authority Board Commissioner Andrew Impastato, “virtually and safely—to help meet their everyday needs and to bring community back to those in isolation brought on by social distancing.”

Seniors need our help more than ever. If you know a #hoboken senior who would value this program please reach out or have them reach out. TY primarily to Councilwoman Falco & @holahoboken and the rest of our Senior Task Force for making this happen. @nicolecammorata pic.twitter.com/pdraMwRZty

— Tiffanie Fisher, Councilwoman (@Tiffanie_Fisher) April 24, 2020

“Councilwoman Vanessa Falco and [Hola School Board President] Nicole Cammarota who have worked hard to develop a check-in program which will aid in informing our Seniors of all necessary information to keep them safe and engaged,” says Impastato. “Nicole is enlisting Spanish speaking parents and teachers from HoLa school where she is the Board President so we have both languages to discuss various information. This program is essential to prevent Seniors from feeling isolated during these difficult times.”

To assist with the senior outreach, contact Councilwoman Vanessa Falco at 201-523-4033.

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