Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - FEBRUARY 1, 2023

 COVID-19 test swab

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

26 Statewide Deaths Reported on January 31


 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19 and outlined basic steps they can take to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections during the winter season.  

"I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy this year," Governor Hochul said. "Be sure to stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul is urging New Yorkers to take common prevention measures — like staying up to date on vaccines and practicing proper hygiene — to protect from the flu and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals. The Governor reiterated these basic steps when she updated New Yorkers on the state's winter health preparedness efforts last month.  

The New York State Department of Health's weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending January 21, shows influenza remaining widespread throughout the state for a sixteenth consecutive week, with a total of 305,354 positive cases across 61 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide dropped 39 percent to 4,459 for the week, while overall hospitalizations were down 44 percent from the previous week, with the week, at 465 hospitalizations across the state. 

Additionally, there were 5 outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There were no influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported this week, leaving the total at eight statewide. 

With flu season continuing and infections remaining widespread, Governor Hochul encourages all New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.  

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

Governor Hochul also continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Last month, the New York State Department of Health announced new guidance for bivalent COVID-19 booster doses, which are now available for eligible children down to 6 months of age.  

The updated boosters are the first to be targeted to the original virus strain and recently circulating variants and are recommended for young New Yorkers and all those eligible. 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.  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

  • Cases Per 100k - 16.57
  • 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 15.07
  • Test Results Reported - 49,757
  • Total Positive - 3,238
  • Percent Positive - 6.08%**
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.77%**
  • Patient Hospitalization - 2,623 (-34)
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 414
  • Patients in ICU - 290 (+2)
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation - 115 (+3)
  • Total Discharges - 395,984 (+387)
  • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 26
  • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,354

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services 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 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 - 77,992

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,  

January  

29, 2023 

Monday,  

January  

30, 2023 

Tuesday,  

January  

31, 2023 

Bronx 

6.16% 

5.70% 

5.68% 

Kings 

3.75% 

3.64% 

3.66% 

New York 

4.82% 

4.77% 

4.71% 

Queens 

5.63% 

5.60% 

5.50% 

Richmond 

5.29% 

5.21% 

5.46% 


      

49th Precinct Council Meeting

 

Tuesday January 31st was the first meeting of the 49th Precinct Council for 2023. Along with the commanding officer of the 49th Precinct the commanding officer of Transit Division 12 was in attendance to speak about the two subway lines that run through the 49th Precinct. The meeting was held in the Morris Park Community Association.   


In going over the seven major crime categories, 49th Precinct commanding officer Captain Kentish said that there has been a rise in gang shootings, whereas the 49th Precinct had the second most of all twelve Bronx precincts. Robberies are up, car theft (GLA) is up, but that is due to people leaving their cars running. Overall crime however was flat in the 49th Precinct with Grand Larceny having the biggest drop. The December Cop of the Month was Police Officer Kelly Castulo, and the Civilian of the month was Helen DeLuise of Morris Park. 


Captain Ashraf of the Transit Police unit spoke on the two subway lines in the precinct saying that the #5 train has no real problems, but it is the #2 train that travels above White Plains Road where the crimes are being committed. He added that the 49th Precinct is assisting in placing officers at the #2 stations to help drive down the problems. 


After community reports of various abandoned cars, various problems with undesirables in different areas of the precinct, one report of a car driving in a bike lane, and thanks for coverage during religious events new 80th Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. spoke. His comments included that he will be in the same office as his predecessor, what the state legislature is trying to do about smoke shops selling illegal cannabis, that Public Safety is very important to him, the introduction of his Chief of Staff who was with him, and an invitation to his inauguration March 4th in the Rotunda in Jacobi Hospital building #4 at 1PM with the doors opening at 12PM. 


49th Precinct Commanding officer Captain Kentish going over the crime stats for the month of January 2023.


Transit Division 12 Captain Ashraf talks about the two subway lines that run through the 49th Precinct.


December Cop of the month Police officer Castulo with Captain Kentish and Precinct Council President Joe Thompson.


Civilian of the month Helen DeLuise with Precinct Council President Joe Thompson and Captain Kentish.


New 80th Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. addressed the audience, introduced his Chief of Staff, and invited all to his inauguration March 4th at Jacobi Hospital's Rotunda in Building #4.