Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 25, 2023

 

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

33 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 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.  

"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 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 14, shows influenza remaining widespread throughout the state for a fifteenth consecutive week, with a total of 300,907 positive cases across all 62 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide dropped 50 percent, while overall hospitalizations were down 52 percent from the previous week, with the week, at 798 hospitalizations across the state. 

Additionally, there were 13 outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There were two additional pediatric deaths, leaving the total at eight 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. Last month, 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 - 17.30
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 17.79
• Test Results Reported - 49,515
• Total Positive - 3,380
• Percent Positive - 6.08%** 
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.34%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,029 (-109)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 498
• Patients in ICU - 313 (+7)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 124 (+11)
• Total Discharges - 393,414 (+533)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 33
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,175

** 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 - 77,736

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	Sunday,   January   22, 2023	Monday,   January   23, 2023	Tuesday,   January   24, 2023
Bronx	6.99%	7.13%	6.81%
Kings	4.97%	4.95%	4.78%
New York	5.89%	5.78%	5.48%
Queens	6.92%	6.65%	6.50%
Richmond	5.70%	5.73%	5.54%

CHALLENGER KRISTY MARMORATO OUTRAISES INCUMBENT IN BRONX'S 13TH COUNCIL DISTRICT IN JUST 8 DAYS

 

Councilman Joe Borelli: "Kristy has made this one of the most competitive seats in the Council"

Morris Park, NY… Kristy Marmorato, candidate for Council District 13 in the Bronx, today announced that not only has she raised enough funds for her campaign to make the first matching funds deadline, but she outraised her incumbent opponent's entire filing period in just 8 days. NYC Council Republican Leader Joe Borelli said, "Overnight, Kristy has made this one of the most competitive seats in the Council in a borough where just a few years ago it would have seemed impossible. Parts of the Bronx are waking up to one-party rule.” Kristy Marmorato said, "I am grateful for the early support for my campaign to flip the 13th Council District. I am born and raised in the Bronx, spent the majority of my life in this district and my husband and I are raising our children here. I am running for City Council because we are very worried about the direction of the community and city that we love. My top priorities will be ensuring our streets are safe, keeping our cost of living down and our quality of life up. My campaign has the grassroots support in the community and outraising my opponent and qualifying for matching funds in just 8 days shows that we will also have the financial support necessary to win this competitive race and bring some much needed common sense to the NYC Council." In just 8 days, Marmorato raised $15,960 from 173 donors, including 116 in-district residents for a grand matching funds total of $98,955 already. About Kristy Kristy was born, raised, and educated right here in the Bronx. She understands this community because she truly embodies District 13. Kristy grew up in Throggs Neck and, as an adult, lived in both Pelham Bay and Country Club. Currently she resides in Morris Park. Alongside her husband, she decided to raise their daughter here so she can have similar life experiences like they both had growing up in District 13.    Kristy is a wife, mother and healthcare worker who has served this community for 16 years. She has extensive background in training and educating medical personnel as well as working with a team of highly skilled individuals to devise a plan of action for patients when they are at their most vulnerable.  Currently our community and our city is in its most vulnerable state. Kristy will be the assertive advocate that our district needs. She will help provide solutions and ideas for the issues and problems that our community is currently facing.    Even though we live in a big city, our district still has small town needs. Kristy will protect our quality of life, fight for our public safety and advocate for better education for our children.   Kristy is running for City Council because our district is in dire need for proper representation within the City Council. She will be the voice that our community needs. For more information: www.kristyforny.com

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

 

CELEBRATING & REMEMBERING  REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.   Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. joins Pastor Dr. Frederick Crawford and elected officials in celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church. LONGWOOD SHOOTING & RESPONSE  Our community is still reeling from Thursday night's tragic shooting outside the Longwood Police Athletic League NYC that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old teen. While the PAL has always served as a safe haven for our youth, the prevalence of gun violence knows no bounds. With Assembly Member Kenny Burgos & Bronx Community Board #2, Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. met with the Executive Director of the PAL & NYPD 41 Precinct to offer our city’s resources in reopening the center & catching the people who brought this crime to our doorstep. If you have information relating to this incident, contact NYPD Crimestoppers. COUNCIL MEMBER RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR. AND COUNCILWOMAN CARLINA RIVERA INTRODUCING A BILL  THAT WILL PROTECT OUR STREETS Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.,  ensures that we are providing the proper programs within our communities to take as many guns off our streets. That is why Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., is introducing a bill at the New York City Council today with Councilwoman Carlina Rivera that will mandate monthly gun buybacks in every borough. Email Council Member Salamanca Visit our District Office at:  1070 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York 10459 (718) 402-6130 salamanca@council.nyc.gov 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

Permits Filed For 586 Gerard Avenue In Concourse Village, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a nine-story mixed-use building at 586 Gerard Avenue in Concourse Village, The Bronx. Located between East 150th and East 151st Streets, the lot is closest to the 161 Street-Yankee Stadium subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. The Karten Organization is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 90-foot-tall development will yield 147,178 square feet, with 142,602 square feet designated for residential space and 4,576 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 200 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 713 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 30-foot-long rear yard, and 80 enclosed parking spaces.

Issac & Stern Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in August 2021. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

State Labor Department Releases Preliminary December 2022 Area Unemployment Rates

 

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for December 2022. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The State’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. To recap last week’s statewide press release, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment held constant at 4.3% in December 2022.

Local Area Unemployment Rates*(%)
 December 2021 and December 2022
(Not seasonally adjusted)

The data in the preceding table are not seasonally adjusted, which means they reflect seasonal influences (e.g., holiday and summer hires). Therefore, the most valid comparisons with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month, for example, December 2021 versus December 2022. Labor force data for the current month are preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available the following month. Revised estimates for prior months are available at: https://dol.ny.gov/local-area-unemployment-statistics

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are the most up-to-date estimates of persons employed and unemployed by place of residence. Estimates are available for New York State, labor market regions, metropolitan areas, counties and municipalities with population of at least 25,000.

Unemployment Rates By County,
New York State,
December 2022

Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet

This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release.

State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model

Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Advantage of Regression Model

Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities).

Benchmarking of Estimates

Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.”

Changes in Methodology

Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates.

In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others.

Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries

The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem.

Jobs Data

Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, samples establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available.

The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - 2023 Women in Business Luncheon

 

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

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

As promised, our first-ever digital Community Board application is live and available in both English and Spanish. We wanted to make our application easy and accessible to our community by eliminating the barriers that could keep our neighbors from joining. We encourage everyone to apply - our community boards should reflect the diversity of our great Borough. We also encourage our youth (16 years or older) to join us! We want to hear from you. Help us build the Borough you want to see! The application deadline is March 3rd, 2023. Click here to apply. 

Yesterday, Mayor Eric Adams joined with Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim to announce the creation of the $75 million NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund, the largest public-private loan fund directed at small businesses in the city’s history. For more information on the groundbreaking initiative, click here.

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

Last week, we were reminded of our nation's desperate need for gun control legislation. Two teens were shot, one of them fatally, outside of the Police Athletic League; a school safety agent discovered weapons in a 13-year-old’s backpack; and on Sunday, a gunman carried out a mass shooting at a Lunar Year celebration in Monterrey, California, leaving 11 people fatally injured. The time for gun control is now. We cannot afford to wait.  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.