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

 

With Spring Holidays Ahead, Remember our Toolkit - Vaccines, Boosters, and Testing 

5 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday  

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 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. 

"With warm weather and the Spring holidays approaching, make sure you take every precaution necessary to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy before you travel or gather together," Governor Hochul said. "Take a test before you travel, stay home if you feel unwell, and if you have yet to do so, take advantage of the benefits of the vaccine. Get your first dose, your second dose, your booster, and your second booster if you're eligible. The vaccine is safe, effective, free, and accessible."  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Cases Per 100k - 30.21
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 21.15 
• Test Results Reported - 143,656
• Total Positive - 5,904
• Percent Positive - 4.06% **
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.55% **
• Patient Hospitalization - 994 (+46)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 197  
• Patients in ICU - 128 (+1)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 61 (+5) 
• Total Discharges - 291,835 (+156)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 5
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 55,199  

* These figures include at-home tests which Onondaga County, unlike other counties, has provided in their daily reporting to the New York State Department of Health. Future reporting from Onondaga County will not include home test data to ensure alignment and consistency with other counties.

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 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.    

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 70,380 

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.      

• Total vaccine doses administered - 37,701,261  
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 38,385
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 223,257  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.1%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 86.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.4%

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:         

Borough	Tuesday, April 5, 2022	Wednesday, April 6, 2022	Thursday, April 7, 2022
Bronx	1.24%	1.27%	1.32%
Kings	2.14%	2.26%	2.43%
New York	3.41%	3.46%	3.66%
Queens	2.13%	2.17%	2.18%
Richmond	2.28%	2.19%	2.05%

City of New York Takes Action To Limit Banking With Wells Fargo Following Discrimination Reports

Following new reports of widespread discrimination against Black homeowners, the Mayor and Comptroller told Wells Fargo that the City of New York would not open any new depository accounts with the bank.

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander told Wells Fargo in a letter that the City of New York would refrain from opening new depository accounts with the bank following new reports of widespread discrimination against Black homeowners.

A Bloomberg News study published on March 11, 2022, found that Wells Fargo rejected over half of Black applicants seeking to refinance their homes in 2020, while approving 72% of white applicants. In 2021 the bank approved just 58% of Black applications, compared with 79% of white applicants.

In the letter addressed to Wells Fargo CEO & President Charles W. Scharf, Mayor Adams and Comptroller Lander state:

“As the Mayor and Comptroller of New York City, a diverse community where Black homeowners own and are the primary residents of more than a quarter of two-to-four person homes, we are both gravely concerned about the recent report in Bloomberg that Wells Fargo rejected over half of Black applicants seeking to refinance their homes in 2020 while approving over 70% of white applicants.

“These disparate mortgage practices, layered upon a checkered history of steering homeowners of color into subprime mortgages, rejecting mortgages in redlined neighborhoods, and numerous outstanding consent decrees pertaining to mortgage practices, require a swift response by both your bank and stakeholders.

“In light of this persisting track record of discrimination, New York City will not be opening any new depository accounts with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as we continue to investigate these troubling findings.”

Mayor Adams and Comptroller Lander appreciate that Wells Fargo is engaging with the City about these concerns, and look forward to continued public conversation about clear steps the bank will take to address the allegations contained within the article and additional best practices for fair lending.

The City of New York had taken Wells Fargo off the designated banking list in 2017 following concerns about discriminatory lending and predatory practices and the bank’s Federal Community Reinvestment Act rating of “needs improvement,” but added it back in 2021 after a contested vote. Currently there are no City agency deposit accounts open with Wells Fargo.

“It’s outrageous that Wells Fargo has continued to engage in lending discrimination against Black homeowners, even after paying a record settlement for similar actions over a decade ago that contributed to the foreclosure crisis,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “These disturbing practices are part of a long legacy and history of discrimination against Black Americans for generations, extracting wealth from our communities that perpetuates the country’s wealth gap. As a City, we cannot in good conscience ignore this deplorable conduct. I support Mayor Adams and Comptroller Lander’s decision to stop opening depository accounts with Wells Fargo because these unacceptable actions must have consequences.”

The full letter can be accessed here.

Two Leaders Of Violent Puerto Rico Drug Cartel That Committed Dozens Of Murders And Bribed Police Officers Convicted At Trial

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the conviction of JULIO MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, a/k/a “Chino,” and LUIS BLONDET for racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, murder while engaged in a drug crime, and murder through the use of a firearm.  After less than a day of deliberations, the unanimous jury convicted MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET yesterday of every count presented to the jury after a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Yesterday’s verdict brings justice for the more than a dozen victims of the defendants’ years-long campaign of brutal violence.  Using murder after murder and bribery of corrupt Puerto Rico police officers, the defendants profited from distributing tons of cocaine throughout Puerto Rico and other places in the United States, including drugs sold out of a children’s daycare center in the Bronx. Thanks to the tremendous work of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, the defendants’ reign of terror has ended.”

According to the Indictment and the evidence at trial:

MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO was one of the founding fathers of La Organization de Narcotraficantes Unidos, or La ONU, a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, from in or about 2004 to in or about 2016, dozens of murders, the bribery of corrupt police officers in Puerto Rico, and the distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine, including the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York. Cocaine supplied by La ONU was distributed in New York City, including out of a children’s daycare center in the Bronx. BLONDET was a member of La ONU and one of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO’s closest allies.

On or about April 9, 2005, BLONDET murdered Crystal Martinez-Ramirez. After Martinez-Ramirez refused BLONDET’s advances, BLONDET shot Martinez-Ramirez in the head twice and dumped her body on a street corner in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On or about December 28, 2006, Israel Crespo-Cotto was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO because Crespo-Cotto was believed to be cooperating with law enforcement. MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO’s assassins killed Crespo-Cotto, a double amputee, while he was sitting in his wheelchair in the Manuel A. Perez public housing projects in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Crespo-Cotto was shot 24 times.

On or about March 20, 2009, Carlos Barbosa was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO because Barbosa was believed to be plotting to seize power from MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO.  Barbosa was shot over a dozen times while getting his hair cut at a barbershop in Levittown, Puerto Rico.

In addition, evidence was presented at trial of MARRQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET ordering, committing, or otherwise participating in more than a dozen other murders, some of which include:

On or about May 9, 2007, members of La ONU, including MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO,  hired corrupt Puerto Rico police officers to participate in the murder of Anthony Castro-Carrillo in Carolina, Puerto Rico, in exchange for a cash bonus.  Members of La ONU and two corrupt cops stormed Castro-Carrillo’s residence while dressed as police officers and shot and killed him.

MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, BLONDET, and other members of La ONU arranged for the murder of Hommysan Cariño-Bruno, a leader of a rival drug organization, paying a driver to kill Cariño-Bruno and providing a firearm.  Cariño-Bruno was shot and killed while inside a van on or about April 29, 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On or about November 27, 2009, Emanuel Correa Romero, a/k/a “Oreo,” was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO.  Members of La ONU beat Correa Romero until he appeared dead.  After the assault, members of La ONU placed Correa Romero’s body into a suitcase, and later reported back that they shot the suitcase dozens of times and then lit it on fire.

MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, 52, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and BLONDET, 47, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, were returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following the return of the verdict. MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum of life in prison. With respect to the murder of Crystal Martinez-Ramirez, BLONDET was convicted of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. With respect to the murders of Israel-Crespo-Cotto and Carlos Barbosa, MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO was convicted of two counts of murder in aid of racketeering, each of which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison; two counts of murder while engaged in a drug crime, each of which carries a mandatory minimum of twenty years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; and two counts of murder through the use of a firearm, each of which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Governor Hochul Announces More Than 70 Million Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Distributed to New Yorkers in Recent Months

 

71,331,202 Tests Out the Door Since December 2021, With More than 100 Million Tests in Total Procured by the State

State Providing Additional Tests and Masks to Central New York Region to Address Above Average Case Rate

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Visit State's 14 Free Vaccination Sites to Stay Protected Against COVID

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 70 million COVID-19 over-the-counter tests have been distributed to date by New York State as part of the administration's ongoing efforts to keep New Yorkers protected throughout the pandemic. At-home rapid tests are being provided regularly to schools and nursing homes throughout the state, and the State recently distributed more than 2.8 million tests to elected officials to provide to the public at no cost. Out of an abundance of caution, the State has provided several thousand additional test kits as well as 59,000 high-quality face masks directly to counties in the Central New York region.

"As we've seen throughout the pandemic, test kits are a critical tool in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent exposure to others," Governor Hochul said. "I am proud to announce that today we have distributed more than 70 million over-the-counter COVID-19 tests to all New Yorkers, and I want to thank our dedicated state workers who are working day and night to fight this virus and keep our communities safe. We will continue to focus our efforts on distributing at-home tests and building up our stockpile so we can bolster our preparedness for the future and keep moving forward safely through this pandemic."

While at-home testing continues to play an important role in identifying cases and curbing the spread of COVID, Governor Hochul and Commissioners Bassett and Bray are urging New Yorkers to get vaccinated and boosted as the best method of protection against COVID-19. The State's free vaccine sites remain open and New Yorkers ages 50 and over are encouraged to get a second booster in accordance with the recently expanded CDC guidance.

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "At-home COVID-19 testing is now widely available and provides real-time information regarding your COVID-19 status, particularly as we are seeing infections increase. People who test positive should isolate and, for those with symptoms, seek medical advice for treatment as soon as possible. We are making all of our prevention tools readily available. In addition to the vaccine and boosters, we have put millions of test kits into the hands of New Yorkers."

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "Testing and vaccination continue to be the best way to protect you and your loved ones against COVID-19. It is incredibly important that we remain vigilant in the coming months and continue to get at-home tests into the hands of New Yorkers to help keep communities safe. We will continue assisting local governments and these important partnerships will help us get through this pandemic together."

Since late December, 71,331,202 tests have been distributed throughout New York to schools, nursing homes and adult-care facilities, local governments and certain non-profits for wider distribution and, more recently, the New York City Housing Authority and various food banks. Governor Hochul previously announced more than 100 million at-home tests have been procured to-date, and more than 20 million of those tests will be distributed throughout the Spring to ensure New York's communities are prepared to identify new cases and limit the spread of COVID-19.

Ahead of the Omicron surge in late 2021, Governor Hochul and her team identified the need to secure over-the-counter test kits to combat the Omicron surge, providing regular distributions to the general public, prioritizing schools and adult care facilities across the state.

Of the over 100 million tests procured, nearly 23 million tests have been stored to help prepare for any potential surges later this year.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE STATE BUDGET DEAL

 

"This budget was reached after a historic delay, and for billionaires and Bills owners, it was well worth the wait. When the governor unveiled her preliminary budget proposal, I was concerned that it relied on temporary federal investment and short-term projects, rather than the sustained revenue and long-term programs that New Yorkers need. While this budget includes some key priority initiatives, thanks to dedicated advocates and leaders, last-minute additions to the process by the governor have consumed both immense resources and valuable focus, preventing some of these programs from going far enough. Not only does the final budget exclude any revenue raising measures from the wealthiest New Yorkers, which creates the potential for even positive initiatives to be cut in out-years, it includes a massive giveaway to a Buffalo billionaire to build a new stadium.

"The budget also weakens the criminal justice reforms of 2019 – which the governor admits and the data reinforces are not the cause of the recent rise in crime. Pulling back from progress, conceding to loud, fearmongering voices, is a move away from justice and toward criminalizing lower income New Yorkers of more color. 

"I want to commend and thank the advocates and elected leaders who pushed for progressive causes in this budget, and there are several positive investments won – it’s critically important to acknowledge victories won after months and years of organizing and advocacy. Aid to schools at all levels, including for mental healthcare, is a critical investment. A full restoration of TAP funding will help make education more accessible, and additional accessible ERAP funding will help some New Yorkers stay in their homes while the governor inexplicably refuses to pass Good Cause. Residential owner assistance will help people to stabilize through pandemic recovery, although not nearly enough is included, and legalizing to-go cocktails will provide an important revenue source for small businesses still struggling. 

"It’s equally critical to acknowledge areas where the investment was important but insufficient to meet the need or the moment. The state’s investment in gun violence prevention is welcome, but falls far short of the needed resources to strengthen true public safety. Expanding healthcare coverage for undocumented seniors is a significant step, but leaves many New Yorkers without critical coverage. Similarly, undocumented youth are excluded from the state’s investments in childcare – while the funding for childcare represents major progress for working families, it is not truly universal if many immigrant families are left out. Additionally, in the state’s care economy, advocates fought for and secured a raise that is both important in acknowledging that a home care crisis exists, and is inadequate in addressing that crisis – is it not the fair pay workers demanded and deserved.

"Finally, as important as what’s in the budget is what’s been left out. 421-a and its potential replacements which are the same in all but name and number, were rightly rejected from this deal, and we will continue to make sure that these gifts to developers with no real return are not a part of New York’s affordable housing plan. Unfortunately, any real progress on affordable housing such as the voucher program have also been left out – as was the utility relief so many desperately need. Excluded workers are excluded in this budget, as are popular, urgent reforms like the Clean Slate Act. While some significant increases were made in climate funding, the overall shortfall in investment and the suspension of the gas tax will ultimately create significant environmental harm, while regressively failing to provide substantial support or relief for New Yorkers most in need. 

"In proposing her budget in January, the governor invoked the New Deal – but the deal that was reached in this year’s budget feels old, following the same patterns as past administrations and falling short in key areas. Both through the city budget and the remainder of the state legislative session, we must work to address critical gaps and invest in the New Yorkers this budget leaves behind."

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON STATE BUDGET DEAL

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today issued the following statement after New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a budget deal with state lawmakers:

 

“The details of the budget deal are still emerging, but it is clear many of my top priorities and key elements of my ‘People’s Plan for New York’ will be included. This means millions will go directly into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers through an enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit, there will be historic funding for families to pay for childcare, and tax incentives to create thousands of new childcare seats. These investments will make a meaningful difference for the people in our city who need it the most.

 

“While I commend the Legislature and the governor for making some progress on public safety, it is also evident that a good deal more work will be needed on this issue, as well as on mayoral accountability, housing, and other city priorities in the ongoing legislative session, which is only half over. We will review the budget fully and continue to advocate on behalf of nearly one million students who are still suffering from the disruption of the pandemic, the thousands of New Yorkers who lack access to affordable and stable housing, and the countless everyday New Yorkers who want and deserve to live in a safer city.”