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

 

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

14 Statewide Deaths Reported on September 16

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

"As we continue to navigate the start of the fall season, I urge all New Yorkers to take 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 also announced the availability of 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.

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Cases Per 100k - 15.65
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 21.86
• Test Results Reported - 41,356
• Total Positive - 3,058
• Percent Positive - 6.88%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.43%**   
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,002 (-61)*
• Patients Newly Admitted - 307*
• Patients in ICU - 215 (-2)*
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 69 (-12)*
• Total Discharges - 342,060 (+358)*
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 14*
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 57,920* 

** 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 - 74,035

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	Friday,   September   16, 2022	Saturday,   September   17, 2022	Sunday,   September   18, 2022
Bronx	5.88%	5.82%	5.85%
Kings	4.29%	3.83%	3.80%
New York	5.07%	5.01%	4.97%
Queens	6.32%	6.16%	6.16%
Richmond	5.91%	5.78%	5.76%

John Mullaly Park Officially Renamed Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park

 

John Mullaly Park Officially Renamed Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park

By Robert Press

It was a warm Sunday afternoon as family and friends gathered in the last hours of Mullaly Park in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. No, the park was not being torn down, but local activists had found out that John Mullaly whom Mullaly Park was named after lived during the United States Civil War and sided with the Confederacy even though he lived in New York City. Even though after the Civil war John Mullaly went on to create several New York City parks including the one named after him, John Mullaly's past of racist rhetoric during the murderous New York City Draft riots caused the community to change the name of Mullaly Park to the Name of Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park, a leader in the community and the first African American elected to the New York City Council from the Bronx.

Councilman Reverend Foster's oldest daughter Rebekah was the emcee of the park renaming. Over one hundred people were in attendance with several speaking including Mayor Eric Adams who said that he went to Councilman Wendell Foster for spiritual advice during his tenure on the police force and it is important to name this park after him. The Mayor added that the racism that was involved in the previous named park will now be erased. 

Bronx District Attorney and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson agreed with Mayor Adams. Grandchildren TJ and Makai joined other family members, Helen Diane Foster the daughter who became the next council member after her father was term limited out of office and her mother Helen Foster came up to thank those who came out to see Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park. 

Rev. Wendell Fosters oldest daughter Rebekah was the emcee of the park renaming. 

Mayor Eric Adams arrived for the National Anthem. Rev Fosters wife Helen stands behind the mayor in green.

Mayor Eric Adams talks of his days as a police officer and member of one-hundred Blacks in Law Enforcement. He added that he would seek spiritual guidance from Councilman Wendell Foster. 

Mayor Adams waves good bye to former Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster.

Parks Commissioner Sue Donahue speaks about the renaming of Mullaly Park to Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark is with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson represented the area of the new Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park area as a member of the City Council before being elected Bronx Borough President was glad that Mullaly Park was being renamed for Councilman Wendell Foster due to facts that came out about John Mullaly.

Grandchildren Malai (Speaking) and JT.

Helen Foster, wife of Wendell Foster speaks about her husband, with daughter Helen Diane Foster (in pink) and other family members and friends gathered around her. 

The new plaque and welcoming sign to Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park are shown.

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON TRAGIC DEATH OF ASYLUM SEEKER YESTERDAY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after the tragic death of an asylum seeker in a shelter yesterday:

 

“The thousands of asylum seekers we have seen arrive in our city came to this country seeking a better life. Sadly though, yesterday, an asylum seeker in one of our facilities took her own life. Our hearts break for this young woman and any loved ones she may have, and we, as a city mourn her. This tragedy is a reminder that we have an obligation to do everything in our power to help those in need.

 

“Among other services available at the Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center is mental health care. I encourage all asylum seekers who need mental health support to utilize these services, and anyone in our city struggling with anxiety, depression, or mental health challenges of any kind to call 888-NYC-WELL. We are here for you."

 

By law, the city is prohibited from sharing further information at this time.