Saturday, March 25, 2023

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 24, 2023

Clinical specimen testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Wadsworth Laboratory 

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


 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.  

"With Spring beginning and warmer weather ahead, New Yorkers must continue to be vigilant and use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Get boosted and stay up to date on vaccine doses, be sure to test before gatherings or travel and 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 COVID-19. The Governor also continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters, which target both the original virus strain and circulating variants.

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. 

The New York State Department of Health is continuing its 12-week COVID-19 campaign on television, social media and streaming services to encourage New Yorkers with underlying medical conditions to recognize the importance of getting and staying up-to-date with the recommended bivalent booster to avoid serious illness or death. These conditions including being 65 or older, pregnant, obese, diabetic, or suffering from heart or lung disease, or having a weakened immune system.  

Ahead of the federal government's planned expiration for the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, New York State's COVID-19/vaccine news release will be issued weekly on Fridays until further notice. The latest COVID-19 and vaccine data will continue to be available 24/7 on the New York State Department of Health's online tracker.

Additionally, the state Department of Health is assessing changes to COVID data collection and reporting in collaboration with local health departments and health care providers, to alleviate the burden on providers and leverage other data sources to maintain its ability to monitor the state of the disease and health care delivery system capacity. The agency remains committed to responding to the COVID-19 threat and continues to encourage New Yorkers to use the tools to protect against and treat COVID-19: Vaccines, boosters, testing and treatment. 

The weekly COVID-19 data is summarized below:

  • 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 4.61
  • Total Positive Cases Over Last 7 Days - 6,307
  • Test Results Reported Over Last 7 Days - 245,729
  • 7- Day Average Patient Hospitalization - 1,254
  • 7- Day Average Patients Newly Admitted - 158
  • 7-Day Average Patients in ICU - 134
  • 7-Day Average Patients in ICU with Intubation - 52
  • New Deaths Reported by Healthcare Facilities through HERDS Over Last 7 Days - 63
  • Total Deaths Reported by Healthcare Facilities Through HERDS - 62,142

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a New York State Department of Health data source that collects confirmed data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

  • Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 79,078

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by the Department of Health and New York City 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 - 43,906,012
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 25,906
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed primary vaccine series - 85.5%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed primary vaccine series (CDC) - 90.8%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older who are up to date - 16.3%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed primary vaccine series - 74.6%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed primary vaccine series (CDC) - 76.4%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 who are up to date - 6.6%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 with completed primary vaccine series - 40.2%  
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 with completed primary vaccine series (CDC) - 41.1%   
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 who are up to date - 4.0%  
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 0-4 with completed primary vaccine series - 7.9%  
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 0-4 who are up to date - 7.9%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed primary vaccine series - 76.5%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed primary vaccine series (CDC) - 80.9%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers who are up to date - 14.1% 

Over the past seven days, 6,307 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19 in New York State, bringing the total to 6,648,009.

New Yorkers looking to schedule vaccine appointments for 5-to-11-year-old children are encouraged to contact their child's pediatrician, family physician, county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health centers, or pharmacies that may be administering the vaccine for this age group. Parents and guardians can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. Make sure that the provider offers the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 vaccine, as the other COVID-19 vaccines are not yet authorized for this age group.       

The Department of Health website has new information, frequently asked questions and answers, and resources specifically designed for parents and guardians of this age group.       

Editor's Note:

Apparently the governors office is no longer tracking Covid numbers by borough since all five boroughs COVID numbers are below 2% or much lower. The date that the COVID mandate will be lifted completely is very soon.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use


Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More
(Friday) Extra, Extra
Walsh & Brady Honored during Irish Heritage Reception
We Love NYC Campaign Launched
Small Business Resource Network Update
Kingsbridge Armory Planning Session

Legislative & Advocacy Updates
NYS One House Budgets Released

Funding Opportunities

Upcoming Events
Women of Distinction Luncheon, 3/31/2023 at 11:30am
Friday Extra, March 24, 2023
ROB WALSH & MICHAEL BRADY HONORED DURING
IRISH HERITAGE RECEPTION
 
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce honored
Robert Walsh, Interim President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation & Former Commissioner of NYC Department of Small Business Services and Michael Brady, CEO of Third Avenue Business Improvement District its annual Celebration of Irish Heritage and Networking Reception on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 6:00pm at Rambling House, 4292 Katonah Avenue Bronx, NY.

The evening acknowledged the achievements and contributions of the Irish community on the Bronx and New York City economies and its impact on small business. The evening featured live music, networking, drink specials, Irish fare, and acknowledged the contributions of notable Irish Americans and their influence on Bronx business and economic development.
WE LOVE NYC PROGRAM LAUNCHED
We ♥ NYC! This is the mantra of a new 5-borough tourism campaign by our partners, the Partnership for New York City and a coalition of New York City organizations and elected officials. The Bronx Chamber leadership team joined the Partnership, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and leaders from throughout New York City to launch the We ♥ NYC campaign to help capture the energy of our people and preserve the city’s spirit by encouraging New Yorkers of every background to come together, get involved and make a positive change in their community. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is delighted to participate and lend the voices and energy of our members to creating a stronger New York City.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE NETWORK UPDATE
The Five Borough Chamber Alliance, launched in FY 2022, supports the NYC Small Business Resource Network (SBRN). The NYC SBRN is a comprehensive approach to small business resiliency that offers free, personalized guidance and support to help businesses grow and thrive. 
Originally launched as a pandemic recovery effort, the SBRN continues to support small businesses today via a collaborative partnership between the five borough Chambers of Commerce. Our unique service-delivery model places Business Support Specialists on the ground in neighborhoods across the city, helping businesses connect to free resources offered by both the public and private sectors.

During FY2023, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce engaged with over 6,200 businesses and served just over 3,000 businesses with direct, in-person, customized, high touch assistance. For more information to for assistance, email: sbrn@bronxchamber.org
KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY VISIONING SESSION W. COUNCILMEMBER PIERINA SANCHEZ
First opened in 1917 but now vacant for almost 30 years, the Kingsbridge Armory is one of the Bronx's vital landmarks. Today, the City has a historic opportunity to redevelop the Armory, placing the needs and priorities of Bronx residents and business owners at the center of the process.

Beginning in the fall of 2022, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), local elected officials, and a working group of community leaders are partnering to launch an engagement process to understand the community’s vision for the future of the armory.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined stakeholders this week to discuss the future plans for the Kingsbridge Armory and how to mobilize the business community's priorities in redeveloping this historic site. To learn more, click here.
LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY UPDATES
One House Budgets Released

On March 14, 2023 the New York State Assembly and the Senate released their respective One House budget proposals in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive budget, which was issued on February 1, 2023. The budget negotiated among the Governor, the Senate Majority and the Assembly Majority is expected to be finalized on or around April 1st, the beginning of the State’s next fiscal year, and voted upon thereafter.

The following overview highlights the Legislature’s positions related to many of the proposals in the Governor’s budget as well as includes several stand-alone proposals otherwise prioritized by the Senate and the Assembly. We encourage you to review this document and to alert us if there are proposals for which you have questions or require additional information.
 
New Trash Set-Out Times Begin April 1 - Effective April 1, 2023, businesses that place waste at the curb* for collection have two setout options:

  •   If using a container with a secure lid, a business should place waste at the curb 1 hour before closing, or
  •   If putting bags directly on the curb, place waste out after 8:00 PM.
 
*This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock or other off-street location.
 
Send your questions to commercialprograms@dsny.nyc.gov. DSNY’s Commercial Engagement Team will provide additional free resources including information on the rules, educational site visits, trainings, and webinars.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Verizon announced a new grant funding opportunity for small businesses, totaling $500,000, which is now available via Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.

In partnership with partners Next Street and LISC, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready online resource is designed to give small businesses the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital economy. Small businesses can access, for free, personalized learning through over 40 courses, mentorship, peer networking, 1:1 expert coaching and incentives such as grant funding.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday March 29, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for virtual coffee and conversation with Councilmember Pierina Sanchez as we discuss housing, the future of the Kingsbridge Armory, leadership development in District 14 and more. Reserve Your Spot - Click Here.

Friday, March 31, 2023 from 11:30am to 2:00pm

Villa Barone Manor

For 18 years, the Women of Distinction Luncheon has recognized outstanding women leaders for their contributions to the Bronx community. Each year with the support of local Bronx businesses and Bronx Chamber members we are able to provide scholarships to deserving college-bound female students through the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Ticket & Sponsor Opportunities available by emailing: foundation@bronxchamber.org