The Bayonne Medical Center has tested over 1,100 patients for COVID-19, with just over half being confirmed positive, and 338 of those patients live in the Peninsula City, according to the hospital’s top executive.
“Since the pandemic began, we have tested over 1,100 patients, with 586 positive cases, and 338 Bayonne residents,” Bayonne Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vijayant Singh said during Mayor Jimmy Davis’ bi-weekly coronavirus video update.
“We have treated and released over 300 patients home from our emergency department and discharged an average of five COVID positive patients home to their loved ones every day.”
In addition to measures like doubling ICU beds, Singh noted that techniques such as convalescent plasma therapy transfusions and being utilized antiretroviral therapy drugs.
About two weeks ago, the BMC announced they were seeking blood donations from recovered COVID-19 patients to help those currently impacted by the disease and struggling to get healthy.
While antiretroviral therapy is typically used to treat HIV/AIDS patients, the World Health Organization said last month that these drugs have “had good clinical outcomes, with almost all cases recovering fully” when used to battle COVID-19.
As of Sunday afternoon, Bayonne’s Office of Emergency Management reports 643 active COVID-19 cases, 46 fatalities, and 168 recoveries.
“Mayor Davis has sadly informed us that two more Bayonne residents have passed away.
Two women, ages 73 & 78, bring Bayonne’s total of Coronavirus-related fatalities to 46.
Mayor Davis extends his sympathy, on behalf of all Bayonne residents, to the families of
both women,” OEM wrote in their daily update.
Minutes ago, the New Jersey Department of Health indicated that there are 13,708 coronavirus cases in Hudson County and 661 deaths, the second and third most in the state by county, respectively.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information.Â
