Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating Covid-19 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

 

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

20 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

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

"As the weather gets colder bringing us back indoors, I urge New Yorkers to remain vigilant, be sure to use the tools that are available to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Take advantage of the vaccine by staying up to date on doses. 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 https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/ 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Cases Per 100k - 24.60
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 22.79
• Test Results Reported - 64,823
• Total Positive - 4,808
• Percent Positive - 7.03%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.66%**   
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,276 (+2)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 417
• Patients in ICU - 218 (-18)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 87 (-1)
• Total Discharges - 345,219 (+412)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 20
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,081  

** 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 - 74,237

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   25, 2022	Monday,   September   26, 2022	Tuesday,   September   27, 2022
Bronx	6.14%	5.84%	5.68%
Kings	3.78%	3.49%	3.74%
New York	5.42%	5.42%	5.33%
Queens	6.12%	6.12%	6.14%
Richmond	5.65%	5.92%	6.22%

MAYOR ADAMS, NYC H+H CEO KATZ ANNOUNCE SUCCESSFUL ROLLOUT AND EXPANSION OF PLANT-BASED MEALS AS DEFAULT OPTION FOR PATIENTS IN NYC PUBLIC HOSPITALS

 

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, Metropolitan, and Woodhull Now Serving Healthier and More Sustainable Dinners

 

New Initiative Builds on Plant-Based Lunch Program With 95 Percent Satisfaction Rate

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H) CEO Dr. Mitchell H. Katz today announced that culturally diverse plant-based meals are now the primary dinner options for inpatients at H+H/Lincoln, Metropolitan, and Woodhull Hospitals. The dinner program expands on the health care system’s successful plant-based lunch default program — launched in March of this year — which now boasts a 95 percent satisfaction rate.

 

“When it comes to preventing diet-related chronic disease, there is a growing recognition that it’s not our DNA — it’s our dinner,” said Mayor Adams. “Since January, we have introduced Plant-Powered Fridays into schools, introduced fresh produce into the nation’s only municipal emergency food system, and expanded Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Clinics to public hospitals across all five boroughs. Now, we are proud to announce the successful rollout and expansion of default plant-based lunch and dinner options at all H+H sites. This transformative program is already changing lives, empowering patients to take control of their own health and further cementing New York City as a leader in preventive medicine.”

  

“In the event we or a loved one has to be in the hospital, we should know that the food served will be comforting, tasty, and health promoting,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Expanding plant-based offerings helps us do just that. Thank you to our food service partners and patient navigators for making this initiative both delicious and successful.”

 

“As a primary care physician, I speak with all of my patients about the importance of a healthy diet and how it can help fend off or treat chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Our new meal program is rooted in evidence for health benefits and environmental sustainability, and expands on the success of our Meatless Mondays Program.”

NYC H+H Plant Based Dish: Southern Black-eye Pea Casserole with Plant Based Corn Bread topped with Plant Based Shredded Cheese

 

Each year, H+H serves about 3 million meals for lunch and dinner. About half of all inpatients are eligible for plant-based dishes, and 60 percent have chosen them since the plant-based default program was launched — contributing to approximately 864,000 plant-based meals per year being served. It also builds on the Meatless Mondays initiative — launched in 2019 — in collaboration with then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

 

Patients considered high-risk, those who are prescribed a special diet, or given a referral can meet with one of more than 100 registered H+H dieticians to learn more about the benefits of a plant-based diet. There are 14 new plant-based options with a selection offered each day. The meals are inspired by the flavors of Latin, Asian, and other cuisines that represent the health system’s diverse patient population. Thai noodle bowls, Spanish vegetable paella with yellow rice, and a Southern black-eyed pea casserole are just some of the new, “chef’s choice” options being offered to patients at these three sites. Food Service Associates work with patients on meal choice and selection from the beginning of their stay until they are discharged, and encourage them to choose healthy meals as part of their healing and recovery plan of care.

 

“Food is medicine, especially in our moments of sickness. Nutritious, healthy food should be available wherever New Yorkers are, but especially in institutions that are meant to restore health,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “It starts with us, and we must lead by example, so this is an important step forward. Congratulations to Health + Hospitals for making nutritious and delicious plant-based foods the default option for patients who are there to heal and to return to health.”

 

“These new recipes have been taste-tested and approved by many of our patients and staff, and we’re excited for everyone to try them,” said Dr. Michelle McMacken, executive director, Office of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, NYC Health + Hospitals. “The new meals are delicious, nutritious, and rooted in communities across New York City, from sancocho to pad thai to falafel."

 

“As a registered dietitian I am grateful that plant-based foods are being recognized as essential for the health of New Yorkers and our patients,” said Mercedes Redwood, MS, RD, assistant vice president for management services, NYC Health + Hospitals. “We have worked closely with our chefs and clinical dietitians to produce a menu that is culturally appropriate, tasty, and sure to enhance our patients dining experience.”

 

“Across the city, we are striving to make the healthy choice the easier choice,” said Kate MacKenzie, executive director, Mayor's Office of Food Policy. “As we continue to broaden the administration's goal of ensuring access to delicious and nutritious meals for all New Yorkers, the implementation and expansion of this program highlight how city facilities can lead on encouraging healthy lifestyle changes.”

Non-plant-based options continue to be available and are offered in accordance with a patient’s prescribed diet. ​

 

Plant-based nutrition is a style of cooking and eating that emphasizes, but is not necessarily limited to, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, plant oils, and herbs and spices, and reflects evidence-based principles of health and sustainability. Scientific research has shown that plant-based eating patterns are linked to significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. They can also be effective for weight management, as well as treatment of certain chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

 

H+H plans to offer plant-based dinner options at all hospitals this fall, and, by year’s end, plans to offer plant-based supplements and tube feeds. The system plans to introduce the plant-based menu options to post-acute care facilities by January.