Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 21, 2022

 

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

Governor Encourages New Yorkers To Get the Flu Shot To Protect Against the Coming Flu Season

11 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

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

"With tomorrow marking the official start of the fall season, I remind all New Yorkers to take the necessary steps to better protect themselves against COVID-19," Governor Hochul said. "Take advantage of the latest tools and resources at our disposal in order to keep our families and our communities safe. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for anyone age 12 or older and from Moderna for those 18 or older. 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 approaches. The flu vaccine is recommended for almost everyone 6 months and older. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 may simultaneously spread this fall and winter, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system. 

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

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 28.51
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 22.45
• Test Results Reported - 82,530
• Total Positive - 5,571
• Percent Positive - 6.19%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.48%**   
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,162 (+60)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 439
• Patients in ICU - 230 (+6)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 82 (+5)
• Total Discharges - 342,997 (+340)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 11
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 57,979

** 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.   

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 74,101

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	Sunday,   September   18, 2022	Monday,   September   19, 2022	Tuesday,   September   20, 2022
Bronx	5.85%	6.06%	6.08%
Kings	3.80%	3.77%	3.60%
New York	4.97%	5.04%	5.11%
Queens	6.16%	6.11%	6.11%
Richmond	5.76%	5.85%	5.69%

Florida Man Convicted In Business Email Compromise And Money Laundering Scheme Targeting Hedge Fund

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict against MUSTAPHA RAJI for his participation in a $1.7 million business email compromise and money-laundering scheme that targeted a Manhattan hedge fund.  RAJI was convicted on four counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, receipt of stolen property, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  RAJI was convicted after a jury trial before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman which lasted approximately one week.  RAJI was previously arrested on December 20, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Email scams that target businesses in this District will not be tolerated.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to zealously prosecute online scammers abroad, and the U.S.-based money launderers they work with, to protect American businesses.”

As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

RAJI participated in an international fraud ring that conducted phishing and other email fraud campaigns.  One of those campaigns involved the July 2018 compromise of the business email account of a hedge fund founder in New York.  That compromise resulted in the fraudulent diversion of a $1.7 million wire transfer from the hedge fund to a corporate bank account used to facilitate the scheme.  RAJI was a registered officer of the company that received the stolen funds, he fabricated documents to cover up the fraudulent transfer of funds from the hedge fund, and he directed a co-conspirator to launder the stolen funds to other co-conspirators domestically and overseas.  RAJI took a $50,000 cut for his participation in the scheme.

RAJI, 52, of Hollywood, Florida, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

RAJI is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Furman on January 11, 2023, at 3:15 p.m.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

MAYOR ADAMS, NYCEM DEPLOY EMERGENCY MANAGERS IN WAKE OF HURRICANE FIONA

 

 

Initial Team Arrived in Puerto Rico Tuesday, Larger Multi-Agency Team Deploying This Week to Include Members of New York City Emergency Response Agencies 

  

New York City Stands Ready to Assist Dominican Republic, Other Affected Countries, as Damage Is Assessed 

As Hurricane Fiona leaves the Caribbean, New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that an additional team of New York City employees will deploy to Puerto Rico and assist officials already there as they survey the damage caused by the hurricane. The team will join representatives from the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA), the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), and other emergency responders to assess damages to infrastructure and essential services caused by the heavy rains, floods, and wind. The team will include representatives from New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), New York City Department of Buildings, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the New York City Department of Design and Construction. NYCEM continues to monitor the situation in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries, and the city stands ready to provide additional aid to those affected countries.  

  

“Once again, our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other Caribbean countries are facing darkness because of a devastating hurricane. With Hurricane Fiona leaving the region, we know that this is a painful moment for so many here in our city and across the globe,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City stands with our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and all affected countries. A first group of emergency responders are already on the ground, ready to respond and assess the needs, and we are ready, willing, and able to send additional assistance needed to those impacted by this devastating storm. I want to thank all the staff at NYCEM, and all our first responders, for their work aiding all those affected.”  

 

“New Yorkers will always rise to the occasion to help those in need,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “As home to some of the finest emergency responders in the world, we are proud to lend our resources, expertise, and support to the Hurricane Fiona recovery effort.”

 

“Our city has strong ties to the people of Puerto Rico and we are proud to answer this call beyond the five boroughs to assist them,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Rebuilding is daunting. It requires a strong commitment and collaboration with other agencies, governments, and private sector partners. As we have in the past, our team is dedicated to this work and will be with the people of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other countries in the days ahead.” 

 

“New York, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic share deep ties and the common experience of facing stronger and more frequent coastal storms brought on by the climate crisis,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, executive director, Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. “We are ready to support this multi-agency effort to assist the people of the Caribbean as they embark on the challenging journey of rebuilding and strengthening infrastructure, services, and whole communities to make them more resilient.”

 

The city encourages people to make donations through trusted nonprofits. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City has created a webpage, which directs those interested in donating to those affected by Hurricane Fiona to some trusted nonprofits. 

 

Yesterday, a team of emergency management specialists deployed to Puerto Rico to assess the damage and needs of Puerto Ricans. In coordination with FEMA and PREMA representatives, this team is connecting with San Juan, as well as smaller localities to understand the needs and how New York City can help. A larger multi-agency team of 11 specialists and first responders is deploying to Puerto Rico later this week to support ongoing relief efforts and operations, including helping to rebuild connectivity for smaller municipalities and removing downed trees. The city continues to monitor the ongoing situation in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and all affected countries for further support it can provide. 

 

“The devastation in Puerto Rico has brought back far too many memories of the destruction that Hurricane Maria left five years ago,” said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez. “In times like this, we must stand together and support our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico during their time of need. I am extremely grateful to the mayor’s swift response to provide aid and support to ensure the resources are delivered to the hands of the people. We must ensure that we are not letting history repeat itself and that we are proactive by providing immediate support. Puerto Rico is part of the United States and must be treated as such.”