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

 

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 January 18

 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 Hochulencourages 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 - 24.98
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 18.34
• Test Results Reported - 61,289
• Total Positive - 4,881
• Percent Positive - 7.61%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 7.02%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,369 (-142)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 467
• Patients in ICU - 379 (-8)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 135 (-6)
• Total Discharges - 390,869 (+518)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 20
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,000

** 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 - 77,552

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	Monday,   January   16, 2023	Tuesday,   January   17, 2023	Wed.  January   18, 2023
Bronx	7.94%	8.19%	7.88%
Kings	5.20%	5.19%	5.93%
New York	5.89%	6.18%	6.21%
Queens	8.06%	8.01%	7.81%
Richmond	6.96%	6.83%	6.82%

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF FINANCIAL COUNSELING SERVICES TO NEW YORKERS VISITING WORKFORCE1 CAREER CENTERS

 

Connecting New Yorkers to Financial Counseling Using City’s Workforce1 Career Centers Fulfills Another Initiative in Mayor Adams’ “Blueprint for Economic Recovery”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga, and New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim today announced a joint initiative to bring financial counseling to jobseekers across New York City. The expansion of DCWP’s one-on-one financial counseling services at SBS’s five main Workforce1 Career Center Hubs in each borough will provide a one-stop-shop for New Yorkers to access free, professional, and confidential financial counseling, along with job readiness services and connections to workforce development training. The initiative also fulfills a key component of Mayor Adams’ “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery.”

 

“When we talk about health, we often overlook how financial health contributes to our overall physical and mental wellbeing,” said Mayor Adams. “By providing financial counseling services to New Yorkers across the five boroughs, we are not only investing in a more economically prosperous city, but also a healthier city. This is a great example of how cross-agency collaboration can strengthen services for New Yorkers who need them most.”

 

“Helping New Yorkers build wealth, achieve financial stability, and gain job security demands a multifaceted, multi-agency, all-hands-on-deck approach,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “As we work to accelerate economic recovery and meaningfully close the income and wealth gap, this partnership between DCWP and SBS to bring together financial empowerment, job training, and job placement services is exactly what it will take to move the needle.”

 

“As we continue to position New York City residents to secure careers that support their family’s health and well-being, I applaud the New York City Department of Small Business Services and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for breaking down traditional siloes so that New Yorkers can find a job and receive financial empowerment services in the same location,” said Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal.

 

“Few things are as empowering as strengthening your financial health and setting yourself on the path to stability and success,” said DCWP Commissioner Vera Mayuga. “Thank you to Mayor Adams and Commissioner Kim for collaborating with us to connect more New Yorkers with the support and services they need to stay on track to lead healthy financial lives.”

 

“Our Workforce1 Career Centers helped nearly 40,000 New Yorkers since last July with job training and career preparation. The addition of critical free services like financial planning and credit management will help our customers blaze a path toward long-term economic independence that includes strong life savings and credit profiles,” said SBS Commissioner Kim. “SBS is proud to be partnering with Commissioner Mayuga and DCWP under Mayor Adams’s leadership on this innovative service model.”

 

As the city continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, New Yorkers who are looking for a job or seeking to advance their careers are often under a considerable amount of financial stress, which adds barriers to gaining and maintaining stable employment. Offering financial counseling at Workforce1 Career Centers can improve the financial well-being of New Yorkers and strengthen the city’s workforce development efforts.

 

To get connected to financial counseling services at Workforce1 Career Centers, New Yorkers can dial 311 and say “Workforce1” or book an appointment online. Financial counseling services are available in person or by phone and in multiple languages.  

 

Since July 1, 2022, nearly 40,000 unique customers have received services through SBS’ Workforce1 system and walk-in inquiries have risen to approximately 85,000, rivaling pre-pandemic service levels.

 

DCWP’s Financial Empowerment Centers have served more than 68,000 clients, helping them collectively save more than $10.5 million and reduce their debt by more than $90 million since the inception of the program in 2008. While the financial counseling services at Workforce1 Career Centers will only be available to customers of the Centers, anyone 18 and older who lives or works in New York City can book a free and confidential appointment with a professional financial counselor online or call 311 and say “Financial Counseling.” The NYC Financial Empowerment Centers provide free, one-on-one financial counseling to anyone who lives or works in New York City and can help create a budget, improve credit, and reduce debt.

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

COUNCIL MEMBER RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF OF STAFF & DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. is proud to announce the promotion of two dedicated public servants that will now serve as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff to Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. Shanna Knotts will now serve as Chief of Staff Brian Hetey will now serve as Deputy Chief of Staff Visit our District Office at:  1070 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York 10459 (718) 402-6130 salamanca@council.nyc.gov Visit our City Hall office at:  250 Broadway, Suite 1781 New York, New York 10007 (212) 788-7384 STAFF Shanna Knotts Chief of Staff Brian Hetey Deputy Chief of Staff Legislative Director & Budget Director Maritza Ogaldes-Wiggins  Constituent Services  Sayda Arriola Scheduling Leila Martinez Senior Advisor Angel Gaud Advisor to the Council Member Cristobal Vivir  Advisor to the Council Member Freddy Perez, Jr. Constituent Services

Undocumented Man Gets 46 Months in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl

 

A man originally from Mexico was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday after admitting to possessing hundreds of grams of a controlled substance containing fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Luciano Gomezllanos-Martinez, also known as Joaquin Navarez-Urena, pled guilty to possession of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and illegal reentry after deportation. In addition to his 46-month sentence, he must pay a $200 fine.

“Even the smallest amount of fentanyl can cause harm to an individual, and carting hundreds of grams through Madison County is a major threat to public safety in downstate Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Our community is fortunate to have brave men and women of law enforcement working to secure our roadways, and I applaud the investigators for filing these charges and apprehending the defendant.”

“Trafficking fentanyl is trafficking death and the ISP will pursue traffickers with everything we’ve got,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.

According to court documents, Gomezllanos-Martinez was a passenger in a vehicle on Interstate 70 in Madison County when the car was pulled over by the Illinois State Police on Oct. 5, 2021. When officers searched the vehicle, they recovered pills containing 771 grams of fentanyl and 616 grams of heroin.

The car was driven by Jimmy Carrasco of Arizona, and he is also facing a possession charge of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Previously, Gomezllanos-Martinez was deported from the U.S. in March 2017. After serving his sentence in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he will be deported.

The DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Kapsak prosecuted the case.

Attorney General James Addresses Mental Health Crisis in Western New York in Public Hearing

 

Dozens of Testimonies Submitted to OAG Describe Challenges in Mental Health Care in Western New York and across the State 

New York Attorney General Letitia James held a public hearing on mental health care in Western New York. Dozens of impacted individuals, health care providers, elected officials, and community members provided testimony on their challenges accessing and providing mental health care and services. Testimonies covered a wide range of issues, including but not limited to underfunding for community health groups and health care facilities, gaps in coordinated care, understaffing, and stigma around mental health care. This was Attorney General James’ second public hearing on mental health services in New York, following a hearing in New York City held in June 2022. Attorney General James encourages New Yorkers who have faced issues or barriers accessing or providing mental health care to submit written testimony to her office through January 20th. Through these hearings, Attorney General James aims to gather input directly from urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state to inform legislative solutions and enforcement actions.  

“The last several months have been especially devastating for Western New York and many have been left without adequate resources and care to address their mental health needs,” said Attorney General James. “These hearings are critical to our efforts to improve mental health services for New Yorkers, bring down barriers to accessing mental health care, and help communities heal. I thank every individual who shared their personal and often painful experiences as part of this hearing. Testimony and data gathered by my office will help us tackle the mental health crisis gripping our state and ensure that adequate and culturally competent care is available to all those who need it.” 

21 individuals provided oral testimony today, and nearly 100 individuals have submitted written testimony to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Written testimony will be accepted online through Friday, January 20, 2023, and all the testimony will be made public. 

The livestreamed event can be viewed here. 

Attorney General James’ first public hearing was held in June 2022 in New York City, and primarily focused on issues impacting the downstate region. Dozens of impacted family members, health care providers, advocates, and elected officials testified in the New York City public hearing. 

“Too many times, things are said about mental illness and what needs to be done to make life better for those who suffer, but nothing is done. Instead of empty words, actions need to be taken to show that New York state truly cares about the thousands of people who suffer everyday with mental illness and the effects it has, not only on them, but on family, friends and society,” said Elisa and Joe Tobia, impacted family members who testified at the hearing. “While having lost our 30-year-old son to schizoaffective disorder, the undertaking of Attorney General James gives us hope for the future. We cannot thank Attorney General James enough for taking the time to listen and be willing to take action to finally help those who need it so desperately.”

“Quality mental health services are an essential component in the overall health of the community but access to these services is not always a given,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I thank Attorney General James for holding this hearing to gain input from the individuals and agencies who deal with mental health issues every day, gaining valuable perspective that can aid in improving access statewide.” 

“Mental health is just as important as physical health. As our communities face an increased need for mental health services, nurses and healthcare professionals have seen hospital systems throughout the state shutter inpatient mental health and detox services,” said Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, President, New York State Nurses Association. “Now is not the time to cut back on mental health services. We thank Attorney General James for holding this forum to discuss the challenges to access to care and look forward to real solutions to ensure our communities can heal both mentally and physically.” 

“Too many New Yorkers are struggling to get access to the continuum of crisis, inpatient, community supports and housing they need and deserve,” said Harvey Rosenthal, CEO, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. “Every day, we see firsthand how harmful it is when these services are underfunded and understaffed or not available at all. Great thanks to Attorney General James for bringing us together to discuss challenges and identify real solutions to help our neighbors in need.”  

“Thank you to Attorney General Letitia James for convening this important public hearing. Changing a system will require a coordinated effort, must include consumers and peers in the solution, and will only succeed if mental health is addressed at every level,” said Melinda DuBois, Executive Director, Mental Health Advocates of Western New York. “Based on the trauma the Western New York community has experienced, we deserve better. MHA is grateful to be part of the solution.”  

“Too many Western New Yorkers are struggling to obtain vital mental health services when in crisis. The DCSs have seen firsthand how harmful it is to an individual’s recovery when facilities are underfunded, understaffed, and lack the capacity to appropriately offer treatment during critical times of need,” said Laura J. Kelemen, LCSW-R (DCS, Niagara County), Chair, New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors. “I want to sincerely thank Attorney General James for bringing us together to discuss these challenges and provide the state with real solutions that help our most vulnerable improve and thrive.” 

“Too many New Yorkers, and a disproportionate number of people of color, only access any kind of behavioral health care as a result of a serious crisis. And even then, our first contact with the system remains limited to police, emergency rooms, and hospital beds, said Chacku Mathai, Member, New York State Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council. “We must move away from the failed investments and policies of the past and create a systemic shift to community-based hospital diversion services such as peer run and voluntary outreach and engagement and housing first initiatives. I want to thank Attorney General James for bringing us together to discuss challenges and come up with real solutions so that we can help those in need.”   

Attorney General James was joined by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy, Assistant Attorney General Michael Reisman, and Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant to the First Deputy Attorney General Gina Bull for the duration of the hearing. 

Governor Hochul Announces $672 Million Electric and Gas Utility Bill Relief for New Yorkers

 

One-Time Bill Credit Available to Help More Than 534,000 New Yorkers Pay Utility Bills

Largest Utility Customer Financial Assistance Program in State History

 Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that 478,000 residential customers and 56,000 small businesses in New York State will receive assistance totaling $672 million to pay off unaffordable past due utility bills. Today's announcement is the largest utility customer financial assistance program in state history and follows a series of policies announced last week to address energy affordability and emissions reductions as part of Governor Hochul's State of the State address.

"Every New Yorker deserves affordable energy, yet too many New Yorkers are at risk of having their lights turned off due to financial problems caused by the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "Earlier this month, I laid out extensive proposals to make energy more affordable in my State of the State address, and with this historic electric and gas utility relief we're achieving another major milestone to help New Yorkers stay warm during the cold winter months."

The debt-forgiveness program approved today by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) will provide financial relief to customers and will help avoid huge statewide termination of service, making utility bills more affordable for all households and small businesses. These one-time credits provide relief to all residential non-low-income customers and small-commercial customers for the period through May 1, 2022, similar to a program approved last summer for low-income customers.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced ambitious and comprehensive policies to address energy affordability and reduce climate-altering emissions from every sector of the economy as part of the 2023 State of the State. Governor Hochul directed the Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to advance an economywide Cap-and-Invest Program that establishes a declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions, invests in programs that drive emissions reductions, and maintains competitiveness of New York industries. Critically, this Cap-and-Invest Program will drive significant benefits to New Yorkers in the form of a Climate Action Rebate.

Governor Hochul also announced $200 million in relief for high electric bills by providing a discount to more than 800,000 New Yorkers making under $75,000 who have not been eligible for the State's current utility discount program, a new initiative that is separate from today's $672 million announcement. In addition, Governor Hochul announced the creation of the Energy Affordability Guarantee, the first-in-the nation pilot program that ensures low-income New Yorkers participating in the EmPower Plus program never pay more than 6 percent of their incomes on electricity and incentivizes them to fully electrify their homes.

In today's groundbreaking decision, the PSC approved recommendations made by the Energy Affordability Policy Working Group, a group of stakeholders that included the most prominent consumer advocacy groups in the state. The working group proposed a statewide program to resolve all arrears through May 1, 2022, of approximately 75 percent of residential non-low-income and small business customers, and partially resolve arrears for approximately 25 percent of remaining customers via a one-time credit. The financial cost to New Yorkers of adopting the arrears relief program is less than the estimated $1 billion to $1.3 billion cost of inaction, and it will also potentially avoid a significant amount of downgrading of customers' credit. The automatic credit is limited by an 'up to' monetary cap for each utility. This second phase would also allow residential non-low-income customers who previously had their service terminated in 2022 for non-payment to participate, so that their eligible arrears might be resolved.

This is the second round of major funding to be provided to consumers to offset utility bill arrears that accumulated due to the COVID-19 pandemic since Governor Hochul announced $567 million in June 2022 to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills. This included debt relief available to low-income customers from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Emergency Rental Assistance Program to reduce unpaid utility bills is coupled with $250 million from a New York State budget appropriation to eliminate pandemic-related unpaid utility bills for low-income households.

In the June round of bill relief, utility shareholders provided more than $36 million in contributions to benefit customers. In today's round of bill relief, utility shareholders provided an $101 million to benefit customers — an amount that far exceeds any utility contributions for pandemic relief across the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial hardship to customers and resulted in the shuttering of businesses and widespread loss of jobs statewide. Unpaid consumer and small business utility debts have risen considerably since March 2020 and are beyond the ability of most impacted New Yorkers to pay.

In addition to Commission staff and the major utilities — Con Edison, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, National Grid, New York State Electric & Gas, Orange & Rockland, and Rochester Gas & Electric —stakeholders in the working group include the City of New York, the Alliance for a Green Economy, the Public Utility Law Project of New York, Inc., Citizens for Local Power, the Long Island Progressive Coalition, the Utility Intervention Unit of the Department of State, AARP New York, the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition, and the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.