Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 31, 2022

 

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

29 Statewide Deaths Reported on October 28

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

"As New Yorkers celebrate Halloween today with friends, family and neighbors, I urge everyone to remain vigilant and to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," 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 also announced earlier this month that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against COVID-19. The State Department of Health updated its guidance after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended its emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its clinical guidance, which collectively will allow more children to safely boost their immunity against COVID-19.

The Governor continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. 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 is already widespread across New York State. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both currently circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.

The State Department of Health 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. Advertisements in both English and Spanish language began running earlier this month. 

Last week, Governor Hochul and the state Department of Health warned New Yorkers that COVID-19, seasonal flu, and RSV cases are all rising and encouraged New Yorkers to get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and take important prevention steps including distancing, masking and hygiene during the cold weather months. 

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

Today's data is summarized briefly below:    

1.    Cases Per 100k - 13.59
2.    7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 20.20
3.    Test Results Reported - 36,849
4.    Total Positive - 2,656
5.    Percent Positive - 6.59%**     
6.    7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.98%**      
7.    Patient Hospitalization - 2,801 (-53)*
8.    Patients Newly Admitted - 425*
9.    Patients in ICU - 269 (-8)*
10. Patients in ICU with Intubation - 110 (-9)*
11. Total Discharges - 356,237 (+442)*
12. New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 29*  
13. Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,751*  

** 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 - 74,996

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,   October   28, 2022	Saturday,   October   29, 2022	Sunday,   October   30, 2022
Bronx	5.62%	5.73%	5.94%
Kings	3.99%	4.05%	4.07%
New York	5.61%	5.88%	5.94%
Queens	6.15%	6.20%	6.38%
Richmond	5.23%	5.36%	5.41%

Statement from NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy on Hochul’s Comments on MSNBC Claiming Rising Crime is a Republican Conspiracy

 

October 31, 2022 

New York Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy made the following statement in response to Governor Hochul’s media appearance where she called concerns about crime a Republican conspiracy. 

"There are plenty of murder victims who would beg to differ if they were alive to speak out. The only ones in denial are Kathy Hochul and the Democrats who are obfuscating and lying to try and cover up the crime crisis that everyone knows they created. But this, along with her debate comment, tells you everything you need to know about her intentions after the election, which is to do absolutely nothing."  

Chairman Langworthy also noted the most recent crime statistics in fact prove crime is up in areas all across New York, including in New York City which has seen a 36% increase in major crime with grand larceny up 48.3%, auto theft up 42%, robbery up 39.8%, rape up 10%, and murders have gone up 48.5% over the same period five years ago. 

Attorney General James Sues Ithaca Landlord for Denying Housing to Low-income Tenants

 

Owner of Ithaca Renting Refused to Accept Housing Vouchers at All His Properties

New York Attorney General Letitia James today sued a landlord, Jason Fane, his company Ithaca Renting Company (Ithaca Renting), and his related entities for denying housing to low-income tenants. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Mr. Fane and his real estate agents refused to accept Section 8 vouchers at his properties, in violation of New York’s housing laws against source of income discrimination. The lawsuit alleges that agents at Ithaca Renting repeatedly told renters they do not accept government assistance vouchers. Through her lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking to require Mr. Fane to stop denying housing to New Yorkers with Section 8 vouchers, pay civil penalties, and set aside five percent of his residential housing units exclusively for Section 8 vouchers.

“All New Yorkers deserve access to fair and decent housing, regardless of their station in life,” said Attorney General James. “Denying housing to New Yorkers based on their source of income is not only illegal, but it’s also worsening the housing crisis. We are taking action to protect vulnerable tenants, keep New Yorkers in their homes, and enforce the law.”

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides housing assistance to the lowest income households in New York to rent or purchase decent, safe housing in the private housing market. The program also provides assistance to senior citizens and disabled persons on fixed incomes, displaced families, and homeless individuals with disabilities. New York’s executive law clearly states that it is unlawful and discriminatory to deny housing to individuals based on their source of income.

The OAG opened an investigation into Ithaca Renting and Mr. Fane after receiving complaints from individuals who were denied housing for having a Section 8 voucher. The lawsuit alleges that an individual who was already living in an apartment managed by Mr. Fane was denied housing by Mr. Fane’s agent because of her Section 8 voucher. 

The lawsuit also alleges a housing advocate was assisting a homeless man, who was granted a Section 8 voucher, to find an apartment in downtown Ithaca. The housing advocate contacted two agents who worked at different properties owned by Mr. Fane and both agents told the advocate they do not accept Section 8 vouchers. The lawsuit alleges this led to the homeless man remaining homeless for at least another year.

Mr. Fane and his related entities own 18 properties with more than 500 residential units. During OAG’s investigation, several of Mr. Fane’s agents repeatedly told OAG that they “choose not to participate in the Section 8 voucher program.” These employees, some of whom worked there for years, would not answer where or who they learned this policy from or who created it.

Through her lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking to require Mr. Fane to stop his illegal practice of denying housing to New Yorkers with Section 8 vouchers, pay $300,000 in civil penalties, reform employee policies and trainings for all agents, and set aside five percent of his residential housing units exclusively for Section 8 vouchers.