Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - FEBRUARY 16, 2023

 

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

13 Statewide Deaths Reported on February 15

 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 this winter," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccine doses and be sure to 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 health preparedness efforts this winter.

The New York State Department of Health's weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending February 4, shows influenza remaining widespread throughout the state for an eighteenth consecutive week, with a total of 310,653 positive cases across 57 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide dropped 19 percent to 2,374 for the week, while overall hospitalizations were down 48 percent from the previous week, at 196 hospitalizations across the state.

Additionally, there were six outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There were no one influenza-associated pediatric death reported for the week, the total remaining at nine statewide.

With flu season continuing, Governor Hochul reminds all New Yorkers that it's not too late 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. In December, 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 - 12.18

· 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 11.04

· Test Results Reported - 47,752

· Total Positive - 2,381

· Percent Positive - 4.74%**

· 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.39%**

· Patient Hospitalization - 2,179 (-19)

· Patients Newly Admitted - 343

· Patients in ICU - 222 (-14)

· Patients in ICU with Intubation - 91 (-1)

· Total Discharges - 400,656 (+341)

· New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 13

· Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,654

** 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 - 78,388

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,   February   13, 2023	Tuesday,   February   14, 2023	Wednesday,   February   15, 2023
Bronx	3.71%	3.60%	3.42%
Kings	3.56%	3.21%	3.17%
New York	3.72%	3.80%	3.72%
Queens	3.86%	3.78%	3.73%
Richmond	4.16%	3.96%	3.65%

MPCA Meeting - Who Are the Police Looking Out For?

 

At Wednesday night's Morris Park Community Association meeting Captain Kentish of the 49th Precinct was on hand to give the crime statistics for the precinct. Overall Captain Kentish said total reported crime was down by one for the week ending February 12, 2023, but car theft or GLA went from four for the same period in 2022 to thirteen in this reporting period or a gain of 225%. He said the reason was that people leave their cars running while going into a store and when they come out their car is gone. He also mentioned that a Tic-Tock Dare is to steal Hyundai and Kia cars. 

Twenty-six car have been picked up from the streets of the 49th Precinct, seven were reported stolen, eight were abandoned, and eleven for other reasons. The Precinct received over one thousand 911 calls since the beginning of the year, and ninety arrests have been mae alone at the Rite-Aid Drug store around the corner from the MPCA. Crime Prevention Officer Mederos spoke about the new Smoke Shops that are opening up all over the Precinct. He said that the police are no longer allowed to confiscate any illegal merchandise including Marijuana, because it is now up to the Sheriff's Department to do that. He said one of those stores nearby was robbed last week so now the police are protecting the illegal smoke shops from being robbed by patrolling around them and going inside to see if everything is all right. 

Questions that came up included two about the Just Home proposal at Jacobi Hospital to house sick current Rikers Island detainee or inmates there, and allowing them to be free to go into the community and on mass transit alone and have unchecked visitors. Captain Kentish answered that the police would only be involved if a crime was being committed and they were called. More police patrols were called for by different community residents.

Other community subjects that came up after Captain Kentish left including the closing of St. Francis Xavier school nearby the MPCA, and how it will impact the community. The student population is at a low of one-hundred and fifteen children who will be merged into nearby St. Clares school. The ubject of the local Councilwoman already in favor of a Bally's Casino by the Trump Links Golf Course in Ferry Point came up but the councilwoman' representative had no information on the Casino. The Senior Center at the MPCA on Bronxdale Avenue will be open from 10 AM - 2 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Captain Kentish (middle) giving the crime Stats for the 49th Precinct. 

Crime Prevention Officer Mederos points to the nearby Smoke Shop that was robbed, and how the police are going to visit the Smoke Shops to try to keep them from being robbed.

MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS YA-TING LIU AS NYC’S FIRST-EVER CHIEF PUBLIC REALM OFFICER

 

Creation of New Role Was Key Plank of Mayor Adams’ State of the City Address, Builds on $375 Million Investment in Public Spaces

 

Signed Today, Executive Order 27 Will Codify Position

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed Ya-Ting Liu as the city’s first-ever chief public realm officer, delivering on a key promise from his State of the City address. In this newly created role, Liu will coordinate across city government, community organizations, and the private sector to create extraordinary public spaces across the entire city and continue to drive the city’s economic recovery. Mayor Adams today also signed Executive Order 27, codifying the creation of the position and ensuring that New Yorkers continue to have a one-stop shop for all issues related to public space.

 

“Our city’s public spaces are too important to fall through the cracks of bureaucracy, and now they won’t,” said Mayor Adams. “New Yorkers need to know there is one person at City Hall whose number one goal is to improve their quality of life by creating incredible, new public spaces and ensuring the ones we have are clean, equitable, and safe. As someone who knows how to think big and ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers, Ya-Ting Liu is the right person to serve as the city’s first-ever chief public realm officer.”

 

“I am thrilled for Ya-Ting’s newest appointment as chief public realm officer. Her out-of-the-box-thinking, passion for well-designed, inclusive public spaces for all, and ability to bring all parts of government together is critical to the operations portfolio and ensuring that our agencies deliver forward-looking ideas and projects,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “She brings over 15 years of organizing, advocacy, and policy expertise on creating a built environment that is safe, clean, and livable for all. This is her first tour inside government, and she approaches complexity with a fresh, practical perspective. She knows what it takes to ‘Get Stuff Done,’ and I’m excited for her to realize the mayor’s vision for public realm.”

 

“Maintaining a vibrant public realm is absolutely vital to our economic recovery and the overall dynamism of our city, and I am thrilled to see the creation of the chief public realm officer role,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I look forward to continue working with Ya-Ting Liu as she spearheads improvements to our public realm in both our central business districts and in emerging commercial corridors across the five boroughs.”

 

“In New York City, the public realm is everyone’s living room. It’s where we eat, play, and gather. Having beautiful public spaces accessible to all people is one of our greatest assets — it is what makes New York City so special,” said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “I am thrilled and honored to be the first-ever chief public realm officer for the City of New York, and I look forward to working with our businesses, community partners, and city agencies to build vibrant, attractive, and inclusive public spaces in all five boroughs.”

 

As chief public realm officer, Liu will focus on delivering two components of Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda.” She will execute on a plan to invest $375 million to create and expand high-quality public spaces in all five boroughs, which includes the Broadway Vision plan, a full reconstruction of Jamaica Avenue from Sutphin Boulevard to Merrick Boulevard, and permanent upgrades to Open Streets in the Bronx and on Staten Island. At the same time, she will lead the administration’s work to deliver a permanent outdoor dining program in partnership with the City Council that works for businesses and residents, building on the massive success of the pandemic-era temporary Open Restaurants program, with clear design guidelines and accessible tools for restaurant owners and communities.

 

Additionally, Liu will also advance forward-thinking reforms to make it easier for community groups and the private sector to partner with the city to become stewards of public spaces and for city agencies to pilot innovative designs and technologies that improve public space management.

 

Liu’s work will support the city’s recovery with a focus on quality of life, wellness, safety, and equity. Building on the recommendations of the “New” New York panel and Mayor Adams’ $900 million investment in traffic safety, her additional priority projects will include:

• Keeping city streets vibrant by addressing the longstanding, pervasive issue of unsightly sidewalk construction sheds, replacing them with newly designed structures, and strengthening enforcement against those who leave sheds up for years;
• Reimagining Fifth Avenue from Bryant Park to Central Park as a safer, less congested, pedestrian-centered boulevard that also prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists, mass transit, and public space, in partnership with a wide range of public, private, and community partners; and
• Reclaiming spaces under the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, that have for years been closed to most New Yorkers, for public use.

“Ya-Ting Liu’s appointment reaffirms the strong commitment to the public realm throughout the Adams administration, and she is perfectly positioned to lead this effort given her longstanding role working under the leadership of Deputy Mayor Joshi,” said New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “I’m excited to continue to work with Ya-Ting to build upon the innovative leadership of DOT’s public space team, and coordinate the key contributions from NYCEDC, NYC Parks, the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management, and others.”

 

“Our public spaces play an increasingly important role for New Yorkers, as places to play, learn, rest, and connect,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We have long known that our parks are essential infrastructure, but COVID entirely changed the way we think about and interact with public space. It’s more important than ever to coordinate with our sister agencies, and we’re excited to work with Ya-Ting and break down silos to better serve New Yorkers.”

 

“From waste containerization to street sweeping to outdoor dining, so many of the biggest, most visible, and complicated questions of municipal management take place in the public realm,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “The urban space that we all share deserves not just attention, discussion, and planning, but also action, and a principled, dedicated public servant to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for our neighborhoods. I have had the privilege of working closely with Ya-Ting Liu, and I am thrilled to have her continuing to serve as a colleague in this new role.”

 

“Creating and carving out public spaces where residents can freely and safely walk and bike around the city encourages low-carbon transportation, which is crucial to combating climate change,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “I look forward to collaborating with Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu on ways we can better utilize public spaces across the city.”

 

“I cannot think of a better person to lead the city’s public realm work than Ya-Ting Liu,” said New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Kizzy Charles-Guzmán. “She is a known collaborator and problem solver and will undoubtedly model an equitable and climate-focused approach to create a more livable city that centers safety, accessibility, good health, play, and joy for all New Yorkers.”

 

“We owe it to New Yorkers to make much-needed improvements to the public realm,” said New York City Department of Buildings Acting Commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik, P.E. “I commend Mayor Adams for smartly choosing Ya-Ting Liu for this role, and I look forward to working with her on improving the pedestrian experience by modernizing sidewalk sheds and ramping up enforcement efforts against owners who allow sheds to remain in place for too long.”

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Ya-Ting Liu as the first chief public realm officer of New York City,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “The creation of this position was a key action item from the ‘New’ New York Panel’s action plan to make New York City the best place for work by making it the best place — period. Under Ya-Ting’s leadership, there will be a clear voice and vision guiding across all agencies to promote strategies for improving livability through public realm improvements and strategic problem solving. I look forward to continuing to work with Ya-Ting to help create a more vibrant and accessible public realm for all New Yorkers.”

 

“New York wouldn’t be New York without its extraordinary public realm,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director (DCP) and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “Parks, privately-owned public spaces, shared streets, waterfront access, and Open Restaurants are just some of the ways DCP is connecting New Yorkers. We’re excited and ready to work with the dedicated, passionate Ya-Ting Liu to make our public spaces even better. Together, we’ll create a healthier, safer, more walkable city for all.”

 

“Investments in public space are essential to enlivening our commercial corridors,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “From Open Streets to outdoor dining, public spaces keep small businesses open and thriving. By appointing the city’s first-ever chief public realm officer, Mayor Adams is showing once again his dedication to improving our neighborhoods with safe, social spaces that ensure our workers, business owners, shoppers, and all residents are able to enjoy all our city has to offer. We are excited to partner with Ya-Ting Liu as she takes on major projects to improve the quality of life in the city’s commercial districts.”

 

“The Public Design Commission is thrilled that Ya-Ting Liu will be New York City’s first chief public realm officer,” said New York City Public Design Commission (PDC) Executive Director Sreoshy Banerjea. “At long last, we will have the focus on innovation, implementation, maintenance, and interagency coordination that breaks down silos between agencies and civic organizations and works toward a common goal of delivering extraordinary public spaces. PDC is a natural partner to help the chief public realm officer identify opportunities and advocate for priorities that align with our collective mission of delivering high-quality public spaces.”

 

DEC Announces Second Successful Year of Youth Deer Hunt Pilot Program

 

Youth Hunters Record Another Safe Year With More than 1,800 Deer Harvests Reported

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced results of the second year of a pilot program allowing mentored 12- and 13-year-old hunters to harvest deer with a firearm or crossbow. The results show youth big game hunters enjoyed another safe, successful, and well-attended season afield.

“Once again, DEC is hearing from families across the state who were thrilled to share their traditions of hunting and wildlife conservation with younger family members,” Commissioner Seggos said. “DEC’s review of data collected also shows youth hunters followed safety guidelines and showed both respect for wildlife and their fellow hunters while afield. I’m proud to see that New York’s environment is in good hands with this next generation of environmental stewards.”

Last fall, more than 9,400 12-and 13-year-old hunters, representing nearly 9,200 families, were eligible to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow and youth hunters submitted more than 1,800 deer harvest reports.

DEC conducted a post-hunting survey that found 82 percent of youth hunters and 87 percent of their adult mentors were moderately or greatly satisfied with their youth big game hunting experience. Additionally, no hunting-related shooting incidents, violations, or license revocations involving 12- and 13-year-old hunters occurred during the first two years of the pilot program. 

In 2021, legislation authorized 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer with an experienced adult mentor in eligible areas of the state under a three-year pilot program. The law required DEC to analyze results of the pilot program each year and report its findings back to the State Legislature. DEC tracked participation, satisfaction, deer harvest, and safety compliance in the pilot program, and submitted a report to the New York State Legislature sharing its findings from the 2022/23 hunting season and recommendations for future actions.

Visit DEC’s website for more information on youth hunting opportunities in New York.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALLS FOR STATE SUPPORT OF OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS AFTER TOUR

 

After touring an Overdose Prevention Center in East Harlem Wednesday and seeing other wraparound services provided on-site, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams called on the Governor to prioritize allocating funds for the operation and expansion of these lifesaving centers. Watch video of his comments after the tour here. 

Overdose Prevention Centers allow people with substance use disorders to safely use drugs under medical supervision, while receiving services such as medical care, mental health treatment, and more. There are currently two locations in New York City, both run by OnPointNYC, with the second located in Washington Heights. Since the first center opened in December of 2021, staff have intervened to save lives in over 700 overdoses. They are currently doing all of this without critical state support. 

“Overdose Prevention Centers and the harm reduction model that they practice are saving lives, and supporting communities with daily, demonstrable impact,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “Misconceptions and mischaracterizations about the role, impact, and operation of overdose prevention centers are pervasive, as they conflate these spaces and services with other treatment options. If everyone could see what I witnessed there, the level of care, humanity, community, and lifesaving results that emanate from these centers, they would join me in saying that we need more hours, more centers, and more funding to support their efforts.”

Last year, New York State’s Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board proposed using the funds procured through legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies that have been accused of perpetuating the opioid crisis. About $129 million of the $2 billion New York has received through these settlements will be allocated throughout the state this fiscal year to address issues related to opioid use, but that allocation does not include support for Overdose Prevention Centers. 

The Public Advocate is calling for the state to provide $5 million in the coming budget to help support the services of the two existing centers and enable them to operate 24 hours a day. He also called for Governor Hochul to authorize the centers.

New York would not be the only jurisdiction allocating funds to OPCs. Rhode Island’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee recently approved and allocated $2.5 million from settlements with pharmaceutical companies for a planned overdose prevention center in Providence.

The tragedy of overdose continues to grow nationwide and in New York. There were over 106,000 overdose deaths nationally in 2021, an increase of about 15,000 over the previous year. In New York, there were 5,841 deaths in 2021, up from 4,965 in 2020.

"Supervised consumption saves lives. Period. It is a life-saving medical intervention that truly meets people where they are, extend to them the grace and compassion they deserve and give them the tools they need to stay alive. I want to thank Public Advocate Williams for his leadership in calling on the state to utilize resources from its opioid settlement fund to support OPCs and fulfill the fund’s intended objective – to support people who are impacted the most by the opioid crisis," said Sam Rivera, Executive Director of OnPoint NYC.

“Overdose prevention centers are evidence-based, proven health interventions, utilized in almost 200 countries around the world, to save lives. With the two overdose prevention centers here in New York City, we were able to reverse 633 overdoses in their first year of operation. But two overdose prevention centers, in just two neighborhoods, that are privately funded, is not enough. We need New York state lawmakers to step in to authorize and overdose prevention centers and fund them with opioid settlement funds. The purpose of that funding is to support people who are struggling with opioid use or at risk of overdose death. And the first line of support is to keep people alive,” said Toni Smith, NY State Director, Drug Policy Alliance.

Attorney General James and Multistate Coalition Support CVS and Walgreens for Offering Medication Abortion

 

23 Attorneys General Assure CVS and Walgreens that Offering Medication Abortion in their Pharmacies is Legal

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 23 attorneys general sent a letter to CVS and Walgreens supporting their decision to offer mifepristone and misoprostol, often referred to as medication abortion, in their pharmacies after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted their certification. After CVS and Walgreens announced their decision to offer mifepristone and misoprostol at their pharmacies, a group of anti-abortion states wrote a letter to the companies warning of legal repercussions if the pharmacies attempt to dispense the medications by mail. Mifepristone and misoprostol were approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago and are widely used for abortion care and to treat other health issues, such as miscarriages and gastric ulcers. In today’s letter, the attorneys general emphasize that making these essential medications available at pharmacies and by mail is safe and legal. 

“Increasing access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare is critically important to the health and wellbeing of millions of people across the country,” said Attorney General James. “The evidence is clear: medication abortion is safe and effective, and decades of clinical research back that up. Pharmacies that offer this life-saving medication have the full support of my office. We will continue to defend reproductive rights and protect efforts to expand access to reproductive care.”

In today’s letter, 23 attorneys general assured CVS and Walgreens that the companies’ decision to dispense mifepristone and misoprostol is on solid legal footing and supported by over 100 years of legal precedent. 

Specifically, the letter highlights:  

• Mifepristone and misoprostol are safe, effective, and reliable medications. The anti-abortion states’ claim that “abortion pills are far riskier than surgical abortion” has been proven utterly false over and over again in numerous scientific studies.
• Restricting access to medication abortion jeopardizes patients’ health, safety, and well-being, often forcing them to delay their care or seek abortions through unsafe means. By contrast, ensuring access to medication abortion as early as possible lowers the risk of complications.
• Having the option to use medication abortion empowers people to make the personal and confidential choice of which method of abortion is better for them based on factors including cost, accessibility, medical history, age, and a desire to avoid surgery. Many pregnant people choose medical over surgical abortion because it can offer a more private and flexible option.
• Increased access to reproductive care is especially important for communities underserved by the healthcare system, including people of color, low-income people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and people living in rural areas, who face the greatest barriers to getting the care they need in a timely and safe manner.

Attorney General James has been a national leader in protecting access to reproductive healthcare. Last week, Attorney General James led a multistate coalition to defend and protect access to medication abortion in a court challenge that seeks to revoke FDA’s approval of mifepristone. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to end Roe v. Wade, Attorney General James launched a pro bono legal hotline to provide legal support to patients and healthcare providers nationwide. 

Today’s letter to CVS and Walgreens was sent by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.