Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 30, 2022

 

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

35 Statewide Deaths Reported on December 29

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

"As New Yorkers prepare to welcome a new year, I urge everyone to remain vigilant and take all available precautions to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "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 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the flu and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals. The Earlier this month, Governor Hochul updated New Yorkers on the state's winter health preparedness efforts. 

Last week, 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.

The Health Department's weekly flu surveillance report, with data through Dec. 24th, shows influenza remains widespread throughout the state for a twelfth consecutive week, with a total of 255,981 positive cases across all 62 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide dropped 23 percent, while overall hospitalizations were down 14 percent from the previous week ending on Dec. 24th at 2,501 hospitalizations across the state.

Additionally, there were 43 outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There were also no additional pediatric deaths, leaving the total at five 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. 

Governor Hochul also 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. 

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 last month.

Likewise, a parallel public awareness campaign continues, featuring New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett speaking directly to New Yorkers about the three viruses now circulating in the state with similar symptoms and the potential to cause serious illness. Produced by the New York State Department of Health, the videos include a short clip and a longer version geared toward parents; and a version aimed specifically at health care providers.  

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

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 32.18
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 22.94
• Test Results Reported - 60,721
• Total Positive - 6,289
• Percent Positive - 9.82%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 8.41%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,982 (+74)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 719
• Patients in ICU - 428 (+9)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 181 (+4)
• Total Discharges - 381,238 (+621)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 35
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 60,376

** 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 - 76,769

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.    

• Total vaccine doses administered - 43,378,559
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 16,830
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 76,283
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 85.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 90.4% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older who are up to date - 14.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series - 74.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 who are up to date - 5.4%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 with completed vaccine series - 39.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 40.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 who are up to date - 2.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 0-4 with completed vaccine series - 6.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 0-4 who are up to date - 6.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 76.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 80.5% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers who are up to date - 12.4% 

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:    

Borough	Tuesday,   Dec.  27, 2022	Wed.   Dec.   28, 2022	Thursday,   Dec.  29, 2022
Bronx	9.20%	9.32%	9.62%
Kings	6.39%	6.43%	6.50%
New York	8.41%	8.56%	8.48%
Queens	9.91%	10.33%	10.35%
Richmond	7.89%	8.20%	8.61%

Statement from New York City Council Condemning Homophobic and Transphobic Actions, Vandalism Targeted at Drag Story Hour & Council Members

 

In response to continued  anti-LGBTQIA+ actions targeted at Council members and Drag Story Hour events, including one on Thursday at the Queens Public Library in Jackson Heights, Queens, Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Members Shekar Krishnan, Erik Bottcher, and Crystal Hudson released the following joint statement.

“Drag Story Hour organizes free events, accessible to families, that engage children in arts & crafts and imaginative storytelling.

“In recent months, anti-LGBTQIA+ protesters have descended on these family events, attempting to get into our libraries to disrupt them while shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs at performers and attendees. They have also vandalized the homes of three members of this City Council who support Drag Story Hour. It is particularly disturbing that these anti-LGBTQIA+ protesters have focused their harassment in Jackson Heights and Chelsea, two neighborhoods with historical importance as safe communities and centers of organizing for the LGBTQIA+ movement in New York City.

“Hate in all its pernicious forms, including attacks on our LGBTQIA+ communities, have no place in our city and must be unequivocally condemned. We stand with New Yorkers gathering today in Jackson Heights to confront hate and defend families reading with their children.

“The harmful, homophobic, and transphobic extremism targeting Drag Story Hour events and the New Yorkers who support them, including Council members, is vile and dangerous. We will not stay silent or accept these shameful attempts to intimidate and spread hate, especially after recent incidents that have devolved into violence and put New Yorkers in harm’s way. This City Council is proud to support children’s programs that promote inclusivity, literacy, and joy.”

Senator Gustavo Rivera on his "New York State Living Donor Support Act" Becoming Law

 

“I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing my bill, The New York State Living Donor Support Act" (S1594), into law. New York's organ donation registration rate is dismal, currently being ranked second to last nationally, and we must take all necessary steps to reverse this reality. This law will remove financial barriers by reimbursing individuals for the costs of living donation while promoting patient education among New Yorkers about living organ donation. By increasing assistance for those inspired to become organ donors and enhancing our State's educational efforts, I am confident this new law will help the almost 9,000 New Yorkers awaiting an organ donation receive the gift of life."

NY State Senator Gustavo Rivera | rivera.nysenate.gov