Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 17, 2023

 

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

40 Statewide Deaths Reported on January 13

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting 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. 

"I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue 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 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 Governor reiterated these basic steps when she updated New Yorkers on the state's winter health preparedness efforts last month. 

Recently, the New York State Department of Health announced that the XBB.1.5. variant is now the most dominant strain in New York, accounting for more than 50 percent of COVID-19 infections statewide. Emerging at a time when both COVID-19 and flu cases remain high, early data indicates that XBB.1.5. is more transmissible than other circulating variants, though there is not yet clear evidence of significant changes to virulence or severity of disease. 

The New York State Department of Health's weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending January 7, shows influenza remaining widespread throughout the state for a fourteenth consecutive week, with a total of 293,541 positive cases across all 62 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide dropped 36 percent, while overall hospitalizations were down 34 percent from the previous week, with the week ending January 7 at 1,621 hospitalizations across the state.

Additionally, there were 37 outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There were no additional pediatric deaths, leaving the total at six 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. 

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

Governor Hochul also continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Recently, 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. 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 - 13.63
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 19.04
• Test Results Reported - 36,522
• Total Positive - 2,663
• Percent Positive - 6.31%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.68%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,452 (-66)*
• Patients Newly Admitted - 528*
• Patients in ICU - 368 (+10)*
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 150 (+3)*
• Total Discharges - 389,082 (+563)*
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 40*
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 60,881*

** 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 - 77,440

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	Saturday,   January   14, 2023	Sunday,   January   15, 2023	Monday,   January   16, 2023
Bronx	8.23%	7.89%	7.94%
Kings	5.26%	5.28%	5.20%
New York	6.01%	5.90%	5.89%
Queens	8.26%	8.13%	8.06%
Richmond	7.00%	7.02%	6.96%

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN EDUCATING YOUNG WORKERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS IN RESPONSE TO A 68% INCREASE IN NEW YORK STATE CHILD LABOR VIOLATIONS

 

USDOL Reports Seeing Increases in Child Labor Violations and Young Worker Injuries Across the Country

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced the kickoff of a new public service campaign to inform young New Yorkers of their rights in the workplace after recent increases in child labor violations. This comes in response to a significant increase in child labor violations throughout the United States, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). New York State is no exception, with NYSDOL seeing a 68 percent increase in violations in 2022 compared to the previous year.

NYSDOL’s public service campaign aims to educate young workers about their rights and protections, while reminding employers about their responsibilities in hiring youth workers under state and federal labor law. This initiative will feature a multi-platform digital and social campaign

“As we see a rise in child labor violations, we are acting quickly to ensure young people know their rights and are protected in the workplace,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Violating labor laws is unacceptable, and it’s particularly egregious when it involves vulnerable workers who are just entering the world of work. This campaign will be essential to empowering and protecting New York’s workforce, and we are proud to lead the way.”

In July 2022, the USDOL reported increases in child labor violations and young worker injuries across the country, with over 2,800 minors found employed in violation of the law in 2021. New York State saw 464 child labor cases in 2022 and has collected over $270,000 in civil penalties from employers breaking child labor laws. Violations in the United State have been on the rise in recent years, with a sharp increase since the pandemic. In New York State, the majority of violations are related to wage underpayments, hours of work, and prohibited employment.

NYSDOL’s new public service campaign, which kicked off in January and will continue throughout the year, will assist in educating young people on their rights in the workplace and how they can report violations to NYSDOL’s Division of Labor Standards. Videos on topics like safe working conditions, minimum wage, and working on school nights will be promoted and posted to all NYSDOL social media accounts and other digital platforms. The campaign will also include marketing materials that will be distributed to schools and employers.

In order to prevent businesses from exceeding hour limitations for young workers, NYSDOL will also continue promoting resources available to help them recruit employees to ensure they have an adequate workforce. Through NYSDOL’s Business Services webpage, businesses can post job openings, learn about hiring incentives, and access free consultation services.

NYSDOL’s Division of Employment and Workforce Solutions includes a youth team to help young people entering the workforce. Guides for young New Yorkers are available online to educate them on what they need before filling out applications. The guides are broken down by ages 14-17 and 18-24, and cover important topics like getting working papers, proper identification, resume preparation, and more. Some important tips to remember for young workers and hiring businesses are:

• Workers aged 14 to 17 need an employment certificate, also called working papers, in order to hold a job in New York State.
• There are limits to the length of shifts, time of day and the number of hours minors can work depending on their age, and if school is in session.
• Minors are prohibited from night work and have different restrictions than adults.
• Minimum wage laws apply to all workers (unless otherwise noted), including minors.
• Minors may not perform certain tasks or occupations deemed dangerous. These tasks and occupations are prohibited at the State and/or the Federal level.

Visit NYSDOL’s social media channels to see the new campaign and check out NYSDOL’s Employment of Minors webpage for more information on child labor laws.

NYS OASAS ANNOUNCES MEETING OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL’S TREATMENT EQUITY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

The New York State Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council’s Treatment Equity Committee will have a meeting on January 19, 2023 in Albany, New York City and Syracuse. The meeting will be livestreamed. Chapter 4 of the Laws of 2022 was signed into law by Governor Hochul, creating the Committee for Treatment Equity within the Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council.

The Committee for Treatment Equity is tasked with examining the substance use disorder system for purposes of:

• Identifying stakeholders and working collaboratively to set priorities to achieve treatment equity in racially and ethnically diverse regions of the state and among vulnerable populations throughout the state;
• Analyzing data to identify the root causes of treatment inequities in racially and ethnically diverse regions of the state and among vulnerable populations throughout the state;
• Recommending strategies to overcome substance use treatment inequities;
• Promoting community engagement; and,
• Reviewing the impact of current laws, rules, regulations, policies and programs impacting the ability to achieve treatment equity.

WHEN: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Thursday January 19, 2023                 

WHERE: Albany, New York City and Syracuse

Albany – Conference room 5A

1450 Western Avenue

Albany, NY 12203

NYC – Conference room 8A

501 7th Avenue

New York, NY 10018 

Syracuse – Meeting Room A

333 E. Washington Street

Syracuse, NY 13202 

For more information and the link to watch online visit: Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council's Treatment Equity Committee Meeting | Office of Addiction Services and Supports (ny.gov)

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

 

We hope everyone had a fun and safe long weekend in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King's activism and ministry were instrumental during the Civil Rights Movement and his legacy continues to live on through all of us. Every day, I am reminded that we are working towards fulfilling his dream. Thank you to all who joined us yesterday for our Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church for their continued partnership. 

In the coming weeks, we will announce the date of our State of the Borough, which will outline our vision for 2023 and beyond, the re-launch of our Community Board application, upcoming community events, Bronx Week, and so much more.

 

Our office is also working in partnership with the American Red Cross to “sound the alarm” on fire safety in our borough. For a free smoke detector installation, you can call our office at (718) 590-3500 or visit soundthealarm.org/nyc.

 

January is also Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a Human Trafficking workshop hosted by Not on My Watch to learn how to identify possible warning signs and how to support survivors of trafficking. Click here, to learn more about Not on My Watch and all that they are doing to combat human trafficking and domestic violence in our city.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

Yesterday, we remembered and celebrated the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Through his ministry and activism, he championed the rights of African Americans and people of color.

Thank you to Minister Michael Blake for being our keynote speaker during this beautiful service.

Thank you to our preacher of the hour, all the way from Houston, TX, Rev. Dr. T Grant-Malone for delivering a timely message on this day.

Lastly, thank you to Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church and Rev. Frederick Crawford for always welcoming us with open arms.

We were proud to declare Friday, January 13, 2023 as Sedonia B. Croom day in the Boogie Down Bronx! Sedonia is a native Bronxite who has operated Croom Boutique Salon and Spa for nearly 50 years at 1960 Crotona Avenue who had to shut down her business for the first time after a cancer scare. In mid-October she re-opened her doors and is now a cancer survivor.

It was an honor to meet such an incredible and powerful business owner and we are happy to hear that she will continue to care for the residents of our beloved borough. We salute you, Miss Croom.

Join the Team! Become an NYC Parks lifeguard.   January lifeguard qualifying tests have been added for the summer 2023 season! Make summer happen for NYC! Work outdoors in some of New York City's most iconic locations and become part of a team and meet people who share your interests. The first step to becoming a lifeguard is to pass our qualifying test. Tests start Friday, December 2 and continue into January at sites across the city. Register now for a test to enter our 16-week training program to be beach or pool-ready for next summer. If you successfully complete the training program, you may be offered a full-time job for the summer working at a beach or pool in one of the best cities in the world! Registration for test slots is available on a first-come, first-served basis. HOW TO JOIN All potential lifeguards must pass the Lifeguard Qualifying Test, a vision and swim exam. To qualify, you must:   Be at least 16 years of age by the start of employment.   Have at least 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other - without corrective lenses. Glasses and contact lenses may not be worn during the eye exam.   Be able to swim 50 yards in 45 seconds or less, with proper form.   Sign up today at nyc.gov/parks/lifeguards.