Monday, October 3, 2022

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State’s Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 3, 2022

 COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

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 on September 30


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

"As October begins and the weather gets colder, I urge New Yorkers to remain vigilant and use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccinations and be sure to test before you travel or attend a gathering. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about your 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 health care 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 - 14.09
  •        7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 21.66
  •        Test Results Reported - 39,247
  •        Total Positive - 2,754
  •        Percent Positive - 6.42%**
  •        7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.79%**   
  •        Patient Hospitalization - 2,279 (-27)*
  •        Patients Newly Admitted - 407*
  •        Patients in ICU - 240 (+3)*
  •        Patients in ICU with Intubation - 88 (-1)*
  •        Total Discharges - 346,357 (+403)*
  •        New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 20*
  •        Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,144*

** 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.

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  

30, 2022 

Saturday,  

October  

1, 2022 

Sunday,  

October  

2, 2022 

Bronx 

5.57% 

5.61% 

5.50% 

Kings 

4.26% 

4.07% 

3.92% 

New York 

5.55% 

5.59% 

5.49% 

Queens 

6.16% 

6.27% 

6.20% 

Richmond 

7.24% 

7.65% 

8.09% 


MAYOR ADAMS, NYC PARKS ANNOUNCE $7.1 MILLION IN FUNDING TO EXPAND HOURS AT NINE RECREATION CENTERS CITYWIDE

 

Sites With Expanded Hours Will Offer Additional Programming, Including City’s Signature Saturday Night Lights Program


New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue today announced that starting today, nine recreation centers across the five boroughs will have expanded operating hours — giving New Yorkers greater access to sports and fitness programming, indoor courts, exercise equipment, and more. The increase was made possible with $7.1 million in funding by Mayor Adams in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Sites with expanded hours will offer additional programming, including New York City’s signature Saturday Night Lights program, for city youth.

 

“Recreation centers and the programming they offer change lives and ensure our young people are not left behind,” said Mayor Adams. “Through our $7.1 million investment in expanded hours for recreation center, we are providing New Yorkers in all five boroughs positive programming and a safe space to grow, learn, and build community. Saturday Night Lights is a hallmark of this administration’s investments and our commitment to free, high-quality activities for our youth, and I’m proud that these expanded hours will connect even more young people to this program.”

 

“Our recreation centers serve all New Yorkers, young and old, all over the city. We need to be as flexible and adaptable as the city’s residents. It only makes sense that we expand the hours of operation so that we can serve as many people as we can,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “This is a great step forward, and I thank NYC Parks for their dedication to make this happen.”

 

“These nine recreation centers are anchors for the neighborhoods they serve — and now New Yorkers of all ages will have expanded access to them on evenings and weekends,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Thanks to $7.1 million in new funding from Mayor Adams, people who live in the areas most impacted by COVID-19 will benefit from safe, welcoming spaces and positive programming. And we’re proud to partner with sister agencies to expand the Saturday Night Lights program, which has proved to have positive and lasting impacts on our youth.”

 

The following recreation centers will now offer expanded evening and weekend hours:   

 

Bronx 

  • Hunts Point Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Kwame Ture Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

Brooklyn

  • St. John’s Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – Midnight; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

Manhattan

  • Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Hansborough Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Highbridge Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

Queens

  • Roy Wilkins Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 
  • Sorrentino Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

Staten Island

  • Lyons Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM; Saturday 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM

 

Recreation centers with expanded operating hours will also offer additional programming, including Saturday Night Lights, organized in conjunction with the New York City Police Department, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, New York City Department of Education, and the city’s five District Attorney’s Offices. Saturday Night Lights provides young people in underserved neighborhoods with safe and engaging activities and a productive place to gather during evening hours. Participating youth get free membership and access to the many programs and activities available at all recreation centers citywide.

Extended hours will also support other programs, including but not limited to volleyball, board game tournaments, high-intensity interval training, painting, double dutch, basketball, and strength training.

Since 1910, NYC Parks has provided the most affordable and extensive network of recreational services throughout New York City. NYC Parks’ 36 recreation centers offer indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, media labs, dance studios, art studios, game rooms, libraries, and more. All recreation centers also offer a range of programs for people of all ages.

Citywide memberships for adults ages 25-61 are $150 annually. Memberships are $25 per year for veterans, seniors, and those living with disabilities and free for youth and young adults 24 and under.

Hours of operation for recreation centers across the city vary by location. Please visit NYC Parks’ Recreation Centers page for more information.

 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE PUSHES BILL TO PROTECT DISABLED NEW YORKERS FROM EVICTION, HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

 

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, one of the only elected officials in the country with Tourette Syndrome, continued his longstanding efforts to house New Yorkers, protect against discrimination, and advance disability justice today. In a statement at a joiny hearing of the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings and the Committee on Aging today to consider his bill, he argued that despite being prohibited by federal law under the Fair Housing Act of 1968, discrimination against disabled tenants is still prevalent, including through denial of reasonable accommodations. 


"Disability discrimination complaints are reportedly the most common complaint received by federal and local agencies under the Fair Housing Act. People with disabilities have high rates of housing insecurity and experience poverty at twice the rate of nondisabled adults." argued Public Advocate Williams. "Additionally, disabled people are more likely to have medical debt, to receive lower pay, and to experience food insecurity all factors which contribute to an increased risk of eviction and homelessness... Further, having a record with an eviction filing, regardless of whether the eviction was granted, can be a barrier to obtaining rental housing in the future, which can keep renters with disabilities in a cycle of housing instability and homelessness."


The Public Advocate's legislation, Intro 584, would would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to provide tenants with disabilities with information about legal services when they are facing eviction. It would also require the HPD Commissioner to report on any pattern of discrimination against disabled tenants.


He closed highlighting the ongoing eviction crisis citywide, acknowledging the challenges posed in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and pledging to work to "ensure that all people with disabilities in our city have access to stable, affordable, and accessible housing."


News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 


WISHING YOU A HAPPY HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH