Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - FEBRUARY 22, 2023

 

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

78 Statewide Deaths Reported from February 18 to February 21

 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 health preparedness efforts this winter.

The New York State Department of Health's weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending February 11 shows influenza remaining geographically widespread throughout the state for a nineteenth consecutive week, with a total of 313,261 positive cases across 57 counties reported to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide increased 10 percent to 2,612 for the week, while overall hospitalizations were down 36 percent from the previous week, at 134 hospitalizations across the state.

Additionally, there were two outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There was one influenza-associated pediatric death reported for the week, for a total of 10 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 - 9.93
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 10.62
• Test Results Reported - 40,785
• Total Positive - 1,941
• Percent Positive - 4.21%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.33%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,006 (-56)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 965*
• Patients in ICU - 211 (-25)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 77 (-15)
• Total Discharges - 402,168 (+825)*
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 78*
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,773*

** 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 - 78,521

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,   February   19, 2023	Monday,   February   20, 2023	Tuesday,   February   21, 2023
Bronx	2.99%	2.98%	2.81%
Kings	2.85%	2.45%	2.42%
New York	3.77%	3.86%	3.72%
Queens	3.45%	3.47%	3.35%
Richmond	3.82%	3.71%	3.57%

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Community Survey About Overnight Parking (this includes around Van Cortlandt Park!)

Hello Van Cortlandt Park Neighbors:   If you’ve noticed  trucks parked along the park’s perimeter (e.g. Broadway, the Deegan, Bailey, Jerome) or other locations in your community, now is the chance to give your input.   Click Here to take the Community Survey by 2/24    Council Member Dinowitz has shared the following:   “City Hall has convened a Task Force with relevant City agencies to address overnight truck parking in NYC and to assess potential solutions. New York City has existing regulations prohibiting commercial vehicles from parking on residential streets overnight but, as you are aware the problem has persisted, particularly in outer borough neighborhoods. With the increased use of freight and expected industry growth, the City needs to examine the trends and data, and come up with solutions that will be long term and sustainable.   With the input from our community, we will be able to accurately assess the current situation and potential solutions for persistent issues. Your responses are critical to help inform and guide our next steps.   The survey will close on February 24th. If there are other parties or individuals who have expressed concerns about overnight truck parking, please send them this survey to fill out. If you have any further questions please email our task force email, cc’d here (OTPTaskForce@cityhall.nyc.gov).   *Spanish version of the survey is linked directly through the main survey link. If any other languages are needed, please contact OTPTaskForce@cityhall.nyc.gov and let us know which language is needed for further assistance.*   Click Here to take the Community Survey by 2/24

Support Our Work in Van Cortlandt Park   NYC Ultimate Trail Running Series in Van Cortlandt Park Saturday, March 4 at 10am Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and King of the Mountain Events for this first-of-its-kind NYC Ultimate Trail Running Series, featuring 8K (4.97 miles) filled with rolling single-track trails, mixed with stairs, wooden boardwalks, and sections of paved and double wide paths. Proceeds benefit the care and maintenance of the trails. Run or walk!  Register Now. Make a Donation The park is really big. Our staff is really small. Only with your help can we grow our capacity, hire more staff, and take on projects to improve Van Cortlandt Park… for YOU!  Please consider a gift to Van Cortlandt Park Alliance today. Donate!   VCPA Merch Shop! Show your love for Van Cortlandt Park while supporting the Alliance! Shop Now!   Become a Member Members get VCPA merch and invitations to member only hikes while supporting their favorite park! Join Now.

 Van Cortlandt Park Alliance

80 Van Cortlandt Park, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org

Maine Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

 

Defendant Accused of Assaulting Officer

  A Maine man is in custody on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Christopher Maurer, 45, formerly of Biddeford, Maine, is charged in a criminal complaint, filed in the District of Columbia, with two felonies: civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a deadly and dangerous weapon; and five misdemeanors, including: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings; and engaging in an act of physical violence on capitol grounds or buildings. Maurer was arrested this morning in Westbrook, Maine. He will have an initial appearance today in the District of Maine.

According to court documents, law enforcement identified Maurer (FBI BOLO #150-AFO) as an individual who pushed against police and swung a large pole at police officers who were defending an entrance to the U.S. Capitol on the Lower West Terrace known as “the tunnel” on January 6, 2021. Maurer initially entered the tunnel at approximately 3:01pm, and proceeded through the crowd of other rioters. After reaching the police line, Maurer attempted to pull a police shield and/or strike police officers who were helping another rioter experiencing a medical emergency. At approximately this same time, Maurer joined other rioters in pushing against the police line. He left the tunnel at approximately 3:08pm.

About 90 minutes later, Maurer entered the tunnel for a second time, screaming at and gesturing to officers on the police line. During this time, he was sprayed with oleoresin capsicum (“OC”) spray by officers while he screamed at and made obscene gestures at the officers. Maurer then picked up what appeared to be a long metal pipe or pole from the ground and swung it at the front line of police officers at the tunnel before leaving the tunnel area again.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Boston Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Westbrook Police Department in Maine, the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 25 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 985 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including approximately 319 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern District of New York Joins Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art for the Largest Repatriation of Stolen Cultural Property to Yemen

Repatriation Results from EDNY Civil Forfeiture Action 

 The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of State and the Smithsonian Institution participated in a milestone repatriation ceremony returning 77 pieces of stolen cultural property seized by U.S. law enforcement officials to the Republic of Yemen Government.

The antiquities included 64 relief carved stone heads, 11 Qur’an manuscript pages, a bronze inscribed bowl, and a Funerary Stele from Ma’în or Minaean tribal cultures in the highlands of North-West Yemen dating back to the 1st century BCE.

The 64 relief carved stone heads were forfeited to the United States in connection with an Eastern District of New York civil forfeiture action related to the April 2012 guilty plea of an antiquities smuggler, named Mousa Khouli, also known as “Morris Khouli.”  As alleged in the government’s forfeiture complaint, the 64 relief carved stone heads were smuggled into the United States from the United Arab Emirates with correspondence and invoices that contained multiple inconsistencies and were seized from the home and gallery of Khouli.  Other antiquities that were seized in this case were forfeited and subsequently repatriated to Egypt in April 2015.

“Our Office is proud that the work in our case is leading to these important cultural antiquities returning to their rightful home in Yemen,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace.

“Homeland Security Investigations is honored to stand with our partners including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Smithsonian Institution, and Ambassador Mohammed Al-Hadhrami to return these treasured antiquities to the people of Yemen,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director Steve K. Francis. “Looted cultural property, art, and antiquities are often assigned a dollar value in the marketplace; however, the historical and cultural significance of these artifacts extends beyond any monetary value. HSI is proud to have played a role in the recovery and return of this priceless cultural heritage back to the Yemeni people so they can enjoy it for generations to come.”

Ambassador Mohammed Al-Hadhrami: “On behalf of the Government of Yemen, I express my deep gratitude to the US Government, in particular to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State and US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for all efforts exerted in the retrieval and return of these Yemeni artifacts. Ever since the Houthis’ coup in Yemen, our heritage and history have been under attack. The Embassy of Yemen will continue its close engagement with the U.S. Government in pursuit of the restitution of Yemen’s stolen cultural heritage and property. I also affirm my substantial appreciation to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art for agreeing to temporarily hold these antiquities until they are fully repatriated back to Yemen in the future.”

The return of these stolen antiquities marks a significant milestone in U.S.-Yemen relations, as the culmination of extensive U.S. investigative work to identify, locate, seize and confirm the status of this cultural property denotes historically the largest number of antiquities that have been returned by the U.S. government to Yemeni officials in nearly 20 years.

The Republic of Yemen Government and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art have entered into a two-year custodial agreement with the option to renew at the request of the Republic of Yemen Government. The Embassy will advise on access to, research on and conservation of the objects.

DOI ISSUES CALENDAR YEAR-END STATISTICS

 

Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), released the agency’s year-end statistics for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2022, January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. In CY 2022, DOI: 

• Received approximately 12,580 complaints, an increase of about 3.5% from CY 2021. 

• Opened 940 investigations, about 46 more than in CY 2021. 

• Maintained an active investigative docket of 1,526 investigations, consistent with CY2021 figures. 

• Closed 837 investigations, consistent with CY 2021 figures. 

• Collected nearly $2 million for the City as a result of DOI investigations, $1.35 million more than in CY 2021. 

• Reached 46,869 City employees through our corruption-prevention module, webinars and in-person lectures, 18,680 more employees than in CY 2021. 

• Referred 384 investigations for criminal prosecution, a 13% decrease from CY 2021, when DOI referred 443 investigations. 

• Arrested 233 individuals, about 55 fewer than in CY 2021. 

• Issued 105 policy and procedure recommendations, approximately 96 fewer than in CY 2021. 

• Further decreased the backlog of background investigations by closing 928 investigations and reducing the backlog to approximately 910, down from the 2019 high of 6,500. 

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “These statistics reflect the realities of a post-pandemic New York City and an evolving criminal justice landscape. DOI has met those challenges by reprioritizing the agency’s docket to focus resources on investigations that will have the greatest impact. In 2023, as DOI marks its 150th year serving the people of New York City, we will continue to advance our mission through significant investigations that target corruption, fraud and financial abuse in municipal government – a mission that is critical to the City’s ability to use its resources efficiently.” 

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES LAWFUL ABSENCE PROTECTIONS NOW IN EFFECT

 

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today reminds New Yorkers that a new law is in effect that reiterates New York State’s commitment to protecting workers who take legally protected absences from work. The law, signed in November by Governor Kathy Hochul, clarifies that it is illegal for employers to threaten, penalize, discriminate, or retaliate against employees for using absences protected under federal, state, or local law, including time off covered by New York State Paid Family Leave and New York State Paid Sick Leave.

“This is a major victory for all workers across New York State,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Employees should not have to fear for their jobs when taking legally protected time away from work. This new law reassures our workforce that we value their work and their well-being.”

Under the new law, employers are specifically prohibited from assigning or deducting points under an absence control policy for using legally protected absences, including those related to sickness, disability, pregnancy, and caregiving obligations. Other examples of legally protected absences include domestic violence leave, jury duty leave, voting leave, and blood donor leave. Employers who violate this law face penalties up to $10,000 for initial violations and up to $20,000 for subsequent violations. Impacted employees may also be eligible to receive backpay and other damages.

The Department also reminds New Yorkers that it is illegal for employers to retaliate against an employee for asserting their rights under the labor law. Retaliation can occur in many forms, including dismissal from employment, reduction of hours, alteration of work schedule, pay reduction, disciplinary action, assignment to difficult duties, and more.

Workers who believe their employers have violated state labor law should report it to NYSDOL’s Division of Labor Standards at 1-888-52-LABOR or LSAsk@labor.ny.gov. In 2022, the Division of Labor Standards investigated more than 5,500 reports of labor violations related to COVID-19 and New York State Paid Sick Leave from workers across New York State.

For more information about this law and the state’s retaliation law, visit NYSDOL’s webpage.

 

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NYCHA Residents Join NYC Comptroller to Announce Audits of Repair Processes and Eviction Rates at the Housing Authority

 

Resident committee convened by Comptroller Lander announce new audits to assess the quality of work by NYCHA contractors and eviction rates at RAD/PACT developments

Residents of New York City Housing Authority developments joined New York City Comptroller Brad Lander to announce two audits selected by the Comptroller’s NYCHA resident audit committee. The Comptroller’s Bureau of Audit will review both the New York City Housing Authority’s repair process and the eviction rates at RAD/PACT developments. The committee, which is tasked with steering the Comptroller’s new “resident-powered” audit process, was first convened in the fall following a summer of roundtables and listening sessions throughout the five boroughs.  A livestream of the announcement is available here.

The audit of the repair process will analyze how NYCHA selects contractors hired to conduct repair work, the quality of work performed, and what kind of evaluations are done. In conversations with committee members and other residents closed repair tickets that did not result in completed repairs came up as a frequent problem. Auditors will assess the process for vendor selection as well as the oversight that NYCHA conducts to ensure timely and quality repairs. 

The second audit will look at eviction rates at RAD/PACT developments, how they have changed since RAD/PACT conversion, and whether the reasons for eviction are different than other developments. 

The Comptroller’s office has kept a close eye on NYCHA’s operational and management issues for years, putting the authority on a “watch list” to face more frequent scrutiny. In his first year in office, Comptroller Lander initiated the resident-powered audit process with the goal of incorporating resident voices and experiences into the oversight and accountability process to deliver change at NYCHA. Over the course of the next several months, the committee will provide the Comptroller’s office with feedback and input as they conduct these two audits.  

“Residents are the experts on what is broken in their homes, and their insight is an integral part of the oversight process to ensure that NYCHA is meeting its obligations. Problems with the repairs process and concerns about rising evictions rose to the top in our conversations, and our auditors will be diving in on the details to understand what’s happening and what needs improvement. I want to thank the committee for their thoughtful feedback and collaboration and look forward to continuing this work together to improve conditions at NYCHA,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. 

In December, Comptroller Lander announced the results of a survey conducted by his office to garner resident feedback and input in the audit process. Sanitation, safety, and repair tickets being closed before repairs were completed ranked highest amongst the nearly 800 respondents from across 132 developments and received in five different languages. The NYCHA resident committee discussed the results of the survey in the process of deliberating on priority topics for the Audit Bureau’s attention. 

Prior to today’s announced audits, the Comptroller’s office conducted two reviews in response to resident concerns. A quick response field review of building entry doors at NYCHA developments found that nearly 60% of residential building entrance doors were open and/or had broken locks. That number was up dramatically from 23.5% in a similar field review conducted in 2018. The office is also currently auditing rent calculations based on concerns raised at a Red Hook round table. 

“In order to deliver quality services, New York City agencies have a responsibility to collaborate with New Yorkers who interact with these services every day. Our new, resident-powered approach to auditing will help focus our independent and objective oversight on the issues that matter most to NYCHA residents. This is the first step towards bridging the gap between our community and government, and we look forward to continuing our work with the NYCHA resident committee throughout this process,” said Maura Hayes-Chaffe, Deputy Comptroller for Audit. 

“The residents of NYCHA need answers to these critical quality of life issues, that are depressing reminders of the struggles we face, including disproportionate rates of illnesses. The audits we have selected are important steps to finding solutions to these problems,” said NYCHA Resident Aixa Torres.

“As the RAD/PACT program continues to expand to NYCHA developments, we as residents want to ensure that there is accountability and oversight of this program. I am grateful to Comptroller Lander for creating the resident committee so that our voices are heard throughout this process. City resources must be directed towards robust outreach to tenants in converted buildings to learn more about their experiences of RAD/PACT,” said NYCHA Resident Brenda Temple.

“Achieving real progress for NYCHA residents must include a close look at how the authority is operating. I am proud to be a part of the resident committee on behalf of my community to provide insight on the impact evictions are having on residents. The commitment of Comptroller Lander and the audit bureau to reviewing the eviction rates at RAD/PACT developments is an important step toward change and accountability,” said NYCHA Resident Joveta Paige. 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It has come to our attention that the RAD program can only be used if the building is 100% Section 8 tenants. That could be the reason for some evictions of tenants who are not Section 8.