First case of H1N1 ‘swine’ flu in Hoboken

Frank Sasso, Hoboken’s health officer, confirmed one case of the H1N1 “swine” flu last week, but the case was not in the schools. According to officials, the case was an isolated instance that was confirmed on June 3 by the Hudson Regional Health Commission.

The city has yet to respond as to whether any other H1N1 tests were sent to the state from Hoboken.

Sasso has been having regular meetings with school Superintendent Jack Raslowsky recently to monitor the situation. Raslowsky said there were no confirmed or suspected cases of “swine” flu in the schools as of last week.

Consistent with changes being made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will update the H1N1 influenza case count weekly rather than daily, effective June 10.

“Now that H1N1 influenza is present in all regions of New Jersey, we are focusing our efforts on trying to better understand how the disease is spreading,” said Deputy Commissioner Dr. Susan Walsh.

As of last week, there were 226 confirmed cases in 18 counties in New Jersey. An additional 95 probable cases are pending in the state lab. Nationwide, 13,217 confirmed and probable cases have been reported to the CDC. There have been 27 deaths in U.S. associated with H1N1 influenza, but none in New Jersey.

For more information, visit www.nj.gov/health or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

HUMC Emergency Room to open

Officials from Hoboken University Medical Center are preparing a special preview to introduce their new Emergency Department.

The 17,000-square foot facility will double the size of the former Emergency Department and HUMC officials hope it will help deliver better, faster care to the community. The new ER will also be the first in the nation to adopt cutting-edge clinical systems such as NetGuard, an FDA-approved patient monitoring system that monitors the electrical activity of the heart. According to the hospital, the new device makes HUMC the only 100 percent monitored ER in the country.

An interactive tour with doctors, nurses, and administrators on hand to demonstrate and explain the many features and benefits of the new Emergency Department will be conducted on Monday, June 15 at 11 a.m.

Veterans’ mental health services panel

On Wednesday, June 17, Hoboken University Medical Center and The Department of Community Mental Health in conjunction with The N.J. Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma present a panel discussion on

Veterans' Mental Health Services entitled “Thriving at Home.” Panelists include Ricardo Martinez, Dr. Sean Evers, Dr. Walter Florek, John Dorrity, David Cathcart, with remarks by Dr. Gabriel Kaplan, MD.

The discussion will be held at the hospital, 308 Willow Ave., in Room 92 at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The seminar welcomes clinicians, physicians, residents, and mental health administrators and the event is free of charge. Reserve a spot by contacting Barbara E. Hines, (201) 792-8637 ore-mail bhines@hobokenumc.com.

Cabaret Sundays in Shipyard Park

On Sunday, June 14 at 4 p.m., the Theater Company, in association with the city of Hoboken and Geraldine Fallo, director of cultural affairs, will present Caberet Sundays in Shipyard Park, Sinatra Drive North between 13th and 14th streets. Margaret Leone and Judy Moss, accompanied by Fallo on keyboard and Jerry Ficeto on percussion, present an afternoon of cabaret music, featuring standards, jazz, broadway, and pop. Bring your blanket, lawn chair, friends and family.

The performance is free for all. For more information, visit www.thetheatercompany.org. For more summer events, visit www.hobokennj.org or call Fallo at (201) 420-2207.