Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19-OCTOBER 20, 2022

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

21 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"As the weather cools, I urge New Yorkers to stay vigilant and take advantage of all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccine doses, and continue to get tested before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul also announced this week that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against COVID-19. The State Department of Health updated its guidance after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended its emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its clinical guidance, which collectively will allow more children to safely boost their immunity against COVID-19.

The Governor continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

In addition, Governor Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season is already widespread across New York State. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both currently circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.

The State Department of Health recently announced the launch of its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. The advertisements, which will run in both English and Spanish language, began running on Monday, October 10.

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

1. Cases Per 100k - 23.93
2. 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 20.44
3. Test Results Reported - 66,560
4. Total Positive - 4,676
5. Percent Positive - 6.56%**
6. 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.62%**
7. Patient Hospitalization - 2,819 (-50)
8. Patients Newly Admitted - 461
9. Patients in ICU - 295 (+2)
10. Patients in ICU with Intubation - 117 (+4)
11. Total Discharges - 352,728 (+454)
12. New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 21
13. Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,528

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

1. Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 74,704

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:

Borough	Monday,   October   17, 2022	Tuesday,   October   18, 2022	Wednesday,   October   19, 2022
Bronx	5.17%	5.27%	5.12%
Kings	4.52%	5.21%	5.14%
New York	5.42%	5.43%	5.43%
Queens	6.29%	6.28%	6.32%
Richmond	6.87%	6.89%	6.65%

Yonkers Doctor Pleads Guilty To Illegal Distribution Of More Than 100,000 Oxycodone Pills

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARC LARUELLE pled guilty to one count of distributing Oxycodone, among other narcotics, without a legitimate medical purpose while acting outside the usual course of professional practice.  LARUELLE pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denis L. Cote.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Marc Laruelle abused his medical license and violated the oath of his profession when he prescribed more than 100,000 doses of a highly potent and addictive opioid without a legitimate medical need.  As this case makes clear, we will aggressively prosecute physicians who are contributing to the national opioid crisis.  Laruelle now awaits sentencing for his crime.”

According to the Indictment, LARUELLE’s plea agreement, and statements made in Court:

Between in or about September 2016 up to and including in or about October 2021, MARC LARUELLE, a licensed doctor specializing in psychiatry, prescribed more than 100,000 doses of Oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose outside of the usual course of professional practice.  Oxycodone is a highly potent and addictive opioid that commands high prices in the black market because of demand by drug abusers.  LARUELLE often prescribed Oxycodone in combination with Xanax (alprazolam) and/or Adderall (amphetamine), controlled substances that are themselves frequently abused and resold illicitly.  LARUELLE failed to perform proper physical examinations or medical tests prior to prescribing Oxycodone to his patients.  LARUELLE also charged patients as much as $800 per prescription and prescribed large amounts of Oxycodone with the understanding that the quantity would be resold in the black market. 

LARUELLE, 65, of Yonkers, New York, pled guilty to one count of distributing Oxycodone, Amphetamines, and Xanax, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing will be determined by a judge.  LARUELLE is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Cote on January 26, 2023.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) New York Strike Force for their support and assistance in this matter.  The OCDETF New York Strike Force is a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.  The Strike Force is affiliated with the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, New York National Guard, Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department, and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.  Mr. Williams also thanked the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement for their assistance in this case.

NYS OASAS LAUNCHES STATEWIDE ADDICTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AMIDST ONGOING OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC

 

Multi-Faceted Campaign Includes Rollout of New Agency Tagline “Every Step of the Way” - Demonstrating Renewed Commitment to Assist New Yorkers at Any Level of Need

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) today announced the launch of a new statewide awareness campaign to direct the public to critical addiction resources and help reduce overdose rates and save lives. The campaign will saturate regions across New York utilizing billboards, broadcast radio and tv, transportation systems, digital services, and other non-traditional mediums. 

“More than 2 million people in New York State are living with some form of addiction. This campaign is part of our ongoing efforts to educate the public about OASAS services and ensure that they can access tools and resources,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “Alcohol consumption, gambling and fatal overdoses have all increased in recent years. OASAS is working to save and improve lives through a comprehensive and innovative system of care that can meet the needs of individuals and families across the state.”

The campaign will raise awareness that addiction services and supports are available right now in every region of the state. The new agency tagline, “Every Step of the Way,” highlights that the OASAS system consists of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery supports to help meet individuals where they are, at any level of need.

The campaign also promotes the New York State HOPEline, which can provide help by phone call (877-8-HOPENY) or text (467369). Additional information regarding all OASAS services can be found at OASAS.ny.gov, including a search tool to locate treatment by type and location. 

The awareness campaign will run through November. Funding for this effort was provided to New York State through the federal State Opioid Response Grant. Campaign materials are available here.

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) oversees one of the nation’s largest substance use disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 680,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year. OASAS is the single designated state agency responsible for the coordination of state-federal relations in the area of addiction services.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

MAYOR ADAMS, BLOCPOWER ANNOUNCE SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF PRECISION EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE GREEN JOBS TO NEW YORKERS MOST IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE

 

Through $54 Million Investment in FY23 Budget, Program Will Increase Capacity to Serve as Many as 3,000 New Yorkers

 

Initiative Exemplifies Mayor’s Commitment to Identifying Upstream Solutions to Tackle Gun Violence

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a significant expansion of the city’s Precision Employment Initiative, which connects New Yorkers at risk of gun violence with career readiness and job placement programs. The program, run in partnership BlocPower and a number of community-based organizations, will increase its capacity to serve up to 3,000 New Yorkers thanks to the administration’s $54 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Adopted Budget, helping to reduce unemployment, promote sustainability, and bolster long-term public safety in underserved areas throughout the city.

 

“It is not easy to turn your life around, or to fight the climate crisis, but our Precision Employment Initiative allows New Yorkers to do both,” said Mayor Adams. “That is why we are investing $54 million into expanding the program, serving up to 3,000 New Yorkers. Working with BlocPower, we are creating an upstream solution to several downstream problems, including gun violence, unemployment, and environmental injustice.”

 

The Precision Employment Initiative began in the summer of 2021, initially serving residents in Brownsville, Brooklyn; Mott Haven, Bronx; and Jamaica, Queens. Thanks to the Adams administration’s investment, the Precision Employment Initiative is now able to serve participants from East New York, Brooklyn; Far Rockaway, Queens; Flatbush and East Flatbush, Brooklyn; Harlem, Manhattan; and Melrose, Bronx, with the possibility of expanding to serve residents of additional neighborhoods within the year.

 

The program — called the Civilian Climate Corps — connects New Yorkers at risk of gun violence with job training opportunities in a variety of high-demand, good-paying green economy jobs, including solar, heat pump, and electric vehicle charging installation, as well as HVAC, energy efficiency auditing, and more.

 

To date, the Precision Employment Initiative has served more than 1,300 program participants. Roughly 30 percent of participants have been placed in full-time, good-paying jobs, and 62 percent have passed Occupational Safety and Health Administration training. In two of the areas served by the initial phase of the program — Brownsville and Mott Haven — shootings declined 21 percent and 35 percent over the same period in the previous year, respectively.

 

Eligible program participants are enrolled in job training and offered pathways to permanent, good-paying jobs at starting salaries of $20 per hour or more in a wide array of industries, including green energy, technology, administrative services, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the youth cohorts served by the program receive training in soft skills, including conflict resolution, critical reasoning, and emotional intelligence, as well as technical and vocational skills.

 

“Ensuring our public safety and connecting people with good jobs is the foundation of creating prosperity, and this investment goes one step further in making sure New Yorkers are set up for success in the industries of the future,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “This is the kind of strategic, long-term solution needed to address gun violence. It’s a win-win for public safety and the economy.”

 

“Through creating good-paying green jobs and job training for an emerging, vital sector, this administration is tackling the root causes of violence and addressing the real threat of climate change,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “The Precision Employment Initiative continues to be a model of how cross-sector engagement is the path forward to solving the pressing issues of today.”

 

“The Precision Employment Initiative is an innovative, upstream approach to addressing the twin crises of unemployment and gun violence in underserved areas throughout our city,” said Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan. “The program has already shown success in driving down shootings and increasing opportunities for New Yorkers who need it most. By expanding program capacity to serve up to 3,000 people, we are making a dramatic investment in our city’s future.”

 

“Climate change will require an all-hands-on-deck effort to foster the green workforce we need to transform our built environment,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Kizzy Charles-Guzman. “This initiative is another example of New York’s leadership on environmental justice: Communities that have disproportionately borne the brunt of fossil fuel pollution will receive training and access to good jobs to do the work that is critical to decarbonizing our city and create a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable city.”

 

“The New York City Civilian Climate Corps is a transformative investment in the city’s future and our shared prosperity,” said Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal. “This investment is a triple win because it makes our city more resilient to climate change, our talent better positioned for today’s dynamic labor market, and our economy more inclusive.”

 

“When BlocPower looks at low-income communities, we often see two forms of waste — the waste from burning fossil fuels in local buildings and the waste of human potential as underserved families aren’t being connected to opportunities,” said Donnel Baird, CEO and founder, BlocPower. “New York City’s Precision Employment Initiative proves that vulnerable individuals want to work. They want to take care of their families with dignity. They want careers! While there is a skilled labor shortage across America, workers in our program learn how to operate cutting-edge hardware and software to fill that shortage. They are positioned to lead the fight in confronting the climate crisis. We are super proud of the program and grateful for Mayor Adams’ vision.”