PromptMD, a family practice and urgent care center, will be taking COVID-19 testing straight to Hoboken seniors’ doors starting next week, officials said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We are taking proactive steps to test seniors in certain senior buildings for COVID-19, thanks to a partnership w/ @promptmdhoboken,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla tweeted this afternoon.
“Since it can be difficult for seniors to travel for testing, Dr. Javed Islam has offered door to door testing in a senior building this Wednesday.”
The mayor also noted that the city would cover the testing costs for seniors that don’t have health insurance.
Bhalla also thanked the Hoboken Health Office and the city council, particularly 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, for getting the endeavor going – though Ramos clearly felt snubbed tweeting “you’re welcome” before the mayor updated the Twitter thread.
Speaking with HCV, Ramos said the program has been in the works for at least two weeks, crediting Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro (D-33), 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, and Toni Tomarazzo from the Hoboken Community Center for the help.
“I’m obviously thrilled about it. It’s been difficult for seniors to be tested at the 13th Street site. We’ve been advocating on this for a little while now, so to see this come to fruition is a good thing for everyone. This also helps for the seniors that have regular health care needs,” Ramos explained.
Both Fisher and Chaparro also expressed enthusiasm for the new testing services for the Mile Square City’s most vulnerable population.
“Great and necessary outcome for our seniors finally. Since it’s the city’s practice to make sure the right people get credit, I want to thank the Senior Task Force and City Council members for advocating for this, and in particular to Councilman Ramos for his outreach to PromptMD which got this effort started,” Fisher said.
“It’s better to have health care professionals come to seniors than for them to have to seek help outside there homes, so I’m all for it and happy this process is moving forward,” Chaparro added.
A full COVID-19 testing schedule for seniors has not been released as of this writing.
On Monday, the Paterson City Council advocated for a partnership with the state to allow for COVID-19 testing exclusively for seniors. Ramos is a teacher in the Paterson public schools.
