Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (D-32) has tested positive for COVID-19, receiving the results this afternoon after going to Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck on Saturday and noting that she is already home recovering.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Throughout the day on Saturday, I began to experience a pounding headache and body aches. I suspected I might be sick with COVID-19, so I contacted my doctor who told me to get tested. I just received confirmation late this afternoon that I have the virus,” Jimenez said in a statement.
“I am currently resting and recovering at home. Thankfully, my daughter Gianna is healthy and showing no symptoms. She is a resilient 8th grader and the light of my life who is helping me stay positive through all of this. Although I’m still experiencing symptoms such as chest tightness, I remain in good spirits. It’s tough to keep a mom down.”
She also recognized the continued efforts of healthcare professionals (Jimenez also works in the medical field) and first responders during these difficult times, urging everyone to heed the calls for social distancing.
Jimenez is the third Hudson County official to announce she was infected with the coronavirus, with Jersey City Council Councilmen Rolando Lavarro and Michael Yun still battling the disease.
While Lavarro is home recovering, Yun is still in the ICU at the Jersey City Medical Center as of this afternoon, an aide for his office said this afternoon.
She is the first state lawmaker from Hudson County to disclose a positive test and the second from the New Jersey Assembly overall, with the first being Clinton Calabrese (D-36).
This afternoon, the New Jersey Department of Health said there are 1,606 cases of COVID-19 in Hudson County, the third most in the state by county.
As of last night, the Town of West New York, where Jimenez lives, had announced 128 coronavirus cases with one fatality.
