Paterson Mayor Tests Positive For Coronavirus

PATERSON, NJ — The mayor of Paterson has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Mayor Andre Sayegh made the announcement Tuesday in a video posted to his Facebook page while wearing a mask and filming from inside his home.

Sayegh said he has been on the front lines fighting this virus alongside first responders, and he was tested with them as well.

"During this crisis, I’ve made it a point to lead from the front. As someone who has been on the front line, like so many others, there’s always the potential for exposure," he said.

In the video, Sayegh said he feels fine and is not currently experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.

"I want to assure you that I don’t have a fever and I don’t have any breathing issues as well," he said. "In fact, I feel fine. I’m a fighter, and I will fight this virus. This vicious, silent virus."

The mayor said he will continue leading the city while he is sick and has no intentions to cede his mayoral power. Instead, he'll continue working from his home.

"I will tell you this, Paterson. I will be on the road to recovery," he said. "We will beat this together."

Sayegh signed off with a final word of encouragement for Paterson residents: "Stay home and save lives. This is something that we will conquer."

According to the City of Paterson's COVID-19 tracker, the city has seen a total of 1,251 cases of the new coronavirus as of Tuesday. Also as of Tuesday, 11 people have died of the virus in Paterson.