Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JULY 13, 2022

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

10 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 NOTE: Beginning June 24, 2022, the Vaccine data will be updated weekly on Fridays to align with CDC's updated data refresh schedule. For additional information on COVID-19 Vaccination Data provided by CDC, see https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-total-admin-rate-total.   

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

"We continue to respond to new variants as part of our ongoing efforts to protect New Yorkers against COVID-19," Governor Hochul said. "New Yorkers should get vaccinated and get the boosters doses for which they're eligible. Parents and guardians should talk to pediatricians about getting our youngest New Yorkers vaccinated, too, now that they are able. Get tested if you feel ill and if you do test positive, talk to your doctor about possible treatments. Let's keep using the tools we know help protect against and treat COVID-19."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:   

• Cases Per 100k - 31.52
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 35.28 
• Test Results Reported - 70,155
• Total Positive - 6,159
• Percent Positive - 8.81%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 9.21%**   
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,397 (+13)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 438
• Patients in ICU - 230 (-14)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 71 (-7)
• Total Discharges - 319,620 (+380)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 10
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,726

** 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 - 72,397

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, July 10, 2022	Monday, July 11, 2022	Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Bronx	9.80%	9.81%	9.54%
Kings	8.51%	8.64%	8.63%
New York	8.85%	8.82%	8.83%
Queens	11.11%	11.19%	10.88%
Richmond	10.00%	10.37%	10.24%

Additional Defendants Charged In Violent Rockland County Assault And Robbery; Two Sentenced

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the return of a superseding indictment charging WAYNE HICKS, a/k/a “Weez,” BRIAN THOMAS, a/k/a “BT,” and JORDAN WOODBINE, a/k/a “Jay Woods,” for their participation in a brutal beating and robbery of a victim in New City, New York in February 2021. THOMAS and WOODBINE were arrested yesterday and were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy. WAYNE HICKS had previously been arrested in the case, and will be arraigned on the superseding indictment before Judge Seibel at a later date.

DWAYNE HICKS and TNAIYA WILLIAMS, who both participated in the attack and robbery, were sentenced to 12 years and 44 months, respectively, for participating in a conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. United States District Judge Cathy Seibel sentenced DWAYNE HICKS on April 18, 2022, and sentenced WILLIAMS on June 24, 2022.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, this was a brazen and brutal robbery, as Judge Seibel recognized in imposing substantial prison sentences on Dwayne Hicks and Tniaya Williams. Our unsealing of charges against the other participants shows our Office’s continued commitment to identifying and prosecuting perpetrators of violent crime in this District. Thanks to the tenacious work of the FBI and the other agencies involved in the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the participants in this attack are in custody and facing justice in federal court.”

At the sentencing hearing for DWAYNE HICKS, Judge Seibel remarked that the February 28, 2021 attack was “sickening,” “vicious,” “stomach turning, and the sort of thing that you really can’t imagine how any human being could partake in.”

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed in White Plains federal court, and various other indictments and complaints in the case[1]:

On February 28, 2021, after a marijuana dealer who worked for WAYNE HICKS, was robbed, WAYNE HICKS contacted his brother DWAYNE HICKS to arrange retribution. Thereafter, DWAYNE HICKS lured a victim, who the conspirators believed had participated in the earlier robbery, to a residence in New City, New York.  Once the victim arrived there, DWAYNE HICKS and multiple other assailants, including WILLIAMS, THOMAS, and WOODBINE, viciously attacked the victim. At times, WAYNE HICKS monitored the attack via a video-chat application. The assailants forced the victim to strip naked, stole his belongings, including a quantity of marijuana the assailants believed the victim had stolen, then beat the victim with a baseball bat, belts, and their hands and feet, and repeatedly slashed and stabbed the victim with a large knife.  The victim ultimately fled, after being left, naked and covered in blood, in a pile of snow.

DWAYNE HICKS, 28, of Spring Valley, New York and TNAIYA WILLIAMS, 27, of New City, New York each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. WAYNE HICKS, 32, of Hawthorne, New York, THOMAS, 20, of Haverstraw, New York, and WOODBINE, 22, of Chestnut Ridge, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of Travel Act Assault, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

The statutory maximum and minimum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of special agents and task force officers from the FBI, U.S. Probation, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Putnam County Sheriff's Office, Westchester County DAs Office, Rockland County DAs Office, NYPD, Westchester County PD, and the Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Greenburgh, White Plains, Peekskill, Ramapo, and Clarkstown Police Department. He added that the investigation is ongoing.  

The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the description of the Superseding Indictment and the other charging documents set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR ADAMS, COUNCILMEMBERS POWERS, BRANNAN CELEBRATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO SUSPEND LIQUOR LICENSE SURCHARGE

 

Legislation Co-Sponsored by Councilmembers Powers and Brannan Will Put Money Back Into Pockets of Small Business Owners and Fuel City’s Recovery

 

Fulfills Commitment Made in Mayor’s “Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery”

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today hailed a new law he actively and strongly pushed for that suspends the city’s liquor license surcharge and puts money back into the pockets of small business owners. The legislation — sponsored by New York City Councilmembers Keith Powers and Justin Brannan — suspends the city’s 25 percent surcharge businesses pay on state liquor licenses for a year and is retroactively effective June 1, 2022. It is estimated that the legislation will help businesses citywide save $6.5 million over the next year. The legislation fulfills a key commitment made in Mayor Adams’ “Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” plan released earlier this year.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic hit our small businesses hard, especially our bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues, but we are now lifting them up by helping put money right back into their cash registers,” said Mayor Adams. “Suspending the local tax these businesses currently pay on liquor licenses will help them save money and keep their doors open as they continue to recover. This is yet another promise made, promise kept by our administration. I want to specifically thank Councilmembers Powers and Brannan, who sponsored the bill and who fought tirelessly for our local small businesses.”

 

“Small businesses are the backbone of our city’s economy, and this administration is committed to helping them during this critical time,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “This law will provide welcome financial relief to our restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, which were disproportionately harmed by the pandemic. This fulfils a key commitment from our ‘Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,’ and we thank our partners in the Council for making this a reality.” 

 

“This administration is transforming how city government interacts with small businesses, from bars to family-owned liquor stores,” said Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “By suspending the city’s liquor license surcharge tax, we’re putting millions back into the pockets of small business owners to fuel our economic recovery. Thank you to Mayor Adams for prioritizing this effort to support restaurants and the hospitality industry, in general, that help make New York City so special.”

 

“Suspending the liquor license surcharge is just one of many meaningful steps the city is taking every day to help stabilize the nightlife and hospitality industry. The Office of Nightlife knows that any relief and support for these venues goes a long way, as the recovery of liquor licensed establishments is essential to New York City’s recovery,” said Ariel Palitz, executive director, Office of Nightlife at the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. 

 

Governor Hochul Announces Two-Thirds Completion Milestone for "Smart Path" Clean Energy Transmission Line in the North Country

 

Milestone Marks Success of New York's Comprehensive Transmission Buildout Totaling Nearly 1,000 Miles of Clean Energy Transmission Projects

Stronger Transmission Lines with Smaller Footprint Bring Added Resiliency and Reliability to State's Electric System

Associated Jobs and Supported New Renewable Energy Projects Help Bolster New York's Economy

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York Power Authority's Smart Path transmission project in the North Country is two-thirds complete. Smart Path, an upgrade of 78 miles of transmission lines which span from Massena in St. Lawrence County to Croghan in Lewis County, is one of New York State's leading transmission projects designed to strengthen transmission lines against weather events and enable the reliable transmission of clean energy from northern New York into the state's electric power grid. The project will help advance New York's clean energy goals, as outlined in New York's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Construction on Smart Path upgrades began in early 2020 and are on track to be completed next year.

"By reinforcing the backbone of our energy system, New York is helping ensure a clean energy future for our children and grandchildren," Governor Hochul said. "Smart Path is a leading project in a comprehensive buildout of our transmission system across the state that will deliver clean energy to New Yorkers across the state, advance our climate goals, and supercharge our economy by creating green jobs."

In addition to the Smart Path Project, under Governor Hochul's leadership, the rebuilding of several other large transmission projects are in progress across New York State including NYPA and LS Power New York's Central East Energy Connect project which project which involves the rebuild and expansion of more than 100 miles of historically heavily congested transmission lines in the Utica/Albany corridor; New York Transco's New York Energy Solution which which involves the rebuild of approximately 54 miles of transmission lines in the Hudson Valley and NextEra Energy Transmission New York's Empire State Line Project which recently completed approximately 20 miles of transmission lines in Western New York.

Smart Path Specs

Phase one of the Smart Path project involves rebuilding approximately 78 miles of the total 86-mile transmission artery that was constructed originally by the federal government in 1942. Phase two of the Smart Path project will be completed as part of Smart Path Connect which will upgrade an additional six miles of 230kV transmission lines to 345kV voltage. The Smart Path line was the first asset acquired by the Power Authority in 1950. Running north to south through St. Lawrence and Lewis counties in the North Country, the newly rebuilt lines will connect economical, clean and renewable energy into the statewide power system, including low-cost hydropower from NYPA's St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project as well as power from newly constructed renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

Construction of the Smart Path project involves the replacement of the original H-frame wood poles, some of which are more than 80 years old with single steel monopoles in the existing right of way. The project has created hundreds of jobs during construction.

The rebuilt lines will be capable of transmitting up to 345 kilovolts (kV). They will be operated in the near-term at the 230 kV level until the completion of the Smart Path Connect project. This ability to increase the voltage when the demand requires it is a cost-effective way to add on more renewable power, especially from in-state renewable generation, anywhere along the transmission line, as New York continues to advance its clean energy goals.New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA owns and operates approximately one third of New York's high voltage power lines. These lines transmit power from NYPA's three large hydroelectric generation facilities and independent wind power generation facilities, connecting nearly 7,000 megawatts of renewable energy to New York State's power grid. This includes connecting more than 6,300 megawatts of hydroelectric power and about 700 megawatts, or more than a third, of New York State generated wind energy to the grid. NYPA uses no state tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.