Coronavirus Updates - September 2020 - December 2020
March 2020 - May 2020 Updates
June 2020 - August 2020 Updates
January 2021 - March 2021 Updates
April 2021 - December 2021 Updates
January 2022 - Present Updates
In an effort to consolidate our information, we've created a page just for Coronavirus updates that are important to our community. We will continue to update this page with any news we receive. To be notified of updates, be sure to sign up for our email list and visit our Facebook page.
Daily Reported Local Cases of COVID-19 (Bellport Village, North Bellport, Brookhaven Hamlet, East Patchogue and the Town of Brookhaven)
Suffolk County Daily Reported Data to Date
New York State Regional Monitoring Dashboard
Click for the dashboard
New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker
Find a COVID-19 Test Site Near You
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Website
December 31st at 9:30pm
Click for Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 31st, 2020
Click here for Suffolk County Reported Data to Date
• 19,194 COVID-19 tests were administered
• 1,942,680 total tests have been administered since March
• 2,016 new cases were reported
• 96,057 total cases have been reported since March
• 4.9% of those tested since March have been confirmed positive for COVID-19
• 9.7 tested positive on Long Island yesterday; 8.0% positive on a 7-day average
• 10.5% tested positive in Suffolk County yesterday; 8.9% positive on a 7-day average
• Percentage Positive Results by Region Dashboard
• Percentage Positive Results by County Dashboard
• Suffolk County Map of COVID-19 Cases: Click on "COVID-19 Case Tracker"
• 32,519 individuals not previously tested for COVID-19 tested positive for antibodies
• 309,598 in total have been tested for antibodies
Hospitalization as of December 31st at 7:00pm
• 733 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 33 in 24 hours
• 79 were new admissions
• 106 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of 9 in 24 hours
• 56 patients were in the ICU and intubated
• 46 were discharged since the last report
• 7,767 have been discharged since March 22
• 13 fatalities
• 2,299 total fatalities
• 3,237 hospital beds, 675 available, 21 percent
• 430 ICU beds, 109 available, 25 percent
*The test results data comes from a NYSDOH database that contains reported results from all the labs testing samples from New York State residents. NYS fatality data are reported by hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities on a daily basis to the NYSDOH.
Daily Hospitalizations Summary – Long Island
COVID Micro-Clusters - New rules and restrictions directly target areas with the highest transmission of COVID-19 cases & surrounding communities
New York COVID-19 Vaccine information: Get the Facts
New York State Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard – Long Island
New York State COVID-19 School Reporting
December 30th at 8:30pm
Click for Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message 1 Starts at 4:46 minutes
Click for Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message 2
As the year draws to a close, the vaccination distribution program continues to ramp up with more priority groups added as supply becomes available. As the vaccination process continues to build in the weeks ahead, know that you can look to this newsletter as an accurate in-depth source for information and updates.
While the vaccine distribution gets underway, New Yorkers cannot get lax about COVID by any means. Hospitalizations continue to rise across the state and there is one message New Yorkers must remember as we approach the close of the holiday season—celebrating smart stops shutdowns. If we stay smart, stay tough and take the steps we know help halt the spread, we will get through this.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. Total hospitalizations rose to 7,892. Of the 154,949 tests reported yesterday, 13,422, or 8.66 percent, were positive. There were 1,250 patients in ICU yesterday, up 26 from the previous day. Of them, 702 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 144 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Buffalo Bills stadium will allow limited capacity for the first home playoff game. The State Department of Health, the NFL and the Buffalo Bills have come to an agreement to allow approximately 6,700 fans to attend the Bills' first home playoff game in 25 years. Every fan must test negative prior to attending the game, wear a mask and social distance, and there will be contact tracing following the game. Tailgating will remain banned.
3. Approximately 203,000 New Yorkers to date have received one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Next week, New York State will open vaccination criteria to ambulatory care health workers and public-facing public health workers, including those administering COVID-19 tests.
4. The Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop will be held virtually. This year, Times Square will be closed and there will be no crowds allowed in the area during the ball drop but the celebration to ring in the new year still goes on. The ball drop will be livestreamed online along with TV programming.
5. New York continues to monitor for the presence of the more contagious U.K. strain of COVID-19. The State Department of Health and private labs across the State have been analyzing genomic sequencing of COVID specimens since early spring, with more than 4,300 specimens sequences. We have yet to find the U.K. strain, but we are continuing to search.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": The mother of a Long Island teenager with special needs was able to pull off a Christmas miracle thanks to a total stranger. After searching without success for the gift her son wanted most—a sold-out Xbox—Jill Biblow turned to Facebook to ask if anyone she knew might be able to help her get one in time for Christmas. Hundreds of miles away, South Florida resident Kevin Danilo heard about the request from a friend, and sent Biblow a brand-new Xbox as a gift. His sole request was to pay the generosity forward. During this challenging year, it's "the small things showing that people care about us [that give] us the strength to dust ourselves off and keep going," he wrote to Biblow."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 30th, 2020
• 11.7 tested positive on Long Island yesterday; 7.5% positive on a 7-day average
Hospitalization as of December 30th at 7:00pm
• 700 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 6 in 24 hours
• 97 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a decrease of 4 in 24 hours
• 394 ICU beds, 92 available, 23 percent
Last night, I signed the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act, which extends the moratorium on COVID-related residential evictions until May 1, while also providing foreclosure protections to homeowners and small landlords. Many New Yorkers have faced economic hardship as result of the COVID-19 pandemic through no fault of their own, and this legislation helps ensure that no one is forced out of their home during this incredibly difficult period. The more support we provide for tenants, mortgagors and seniors, the easier it will be for them to get back on their feet when the pandemic ends. I thank the Legislature for passing this important protection for New Yorkers all across the state who need a hand.
Chart of the Day: Total hospitalizations in New York, March 16 to present.
1. Total hospitalizations rose to 7,814. Of the 160,614 tests reported yesterday, 11,438, or 7.14 percent, were positive. There were 1,224 patients in ICU yesterday, up two from the previous day. Of them, 711 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 124 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. New York has updated its quarantine guidelines to align with the CDC's recommendations. Individuals exposed to COVID-19 can end their quarantine after 10 days without a testing requirement as long as no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period. After day 10 is reached, individuals must continue monitoring for symptoms through day 14 and if any develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact their local health department or their health care provider to report this change and determine if they should seek testing.
3. Unemployed New Yorkers will begin receiving extended and expanded federal unemployment benefits next week. Starting the week October 3rd, unemployed New Yorkers will receive an additional $300 payment through the extended Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Compensation programs. New Yorkers currently receiving benefits do not need to call the Department of Labor to receive these extended benefits—they should continue to certify for unemployment benefits in their usual manner and will automatically receive extended benefits.
4. Starting October 1, 2021, New Yorkers can begin using sick leave benefits under the state's Paid Sick Leave law. This legislation secures paid sick leave for workers at medium and large businesses and paid or unpaid leave for those at small businesses, depending on the employer's net income. New Yorkers can use guaranteed sick leave to recover from an illness themselves, care for a sick family member and more. Learn about Paid Sick Leave here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Holiday greetings know no distance. Over the holidays, the seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station beamed a holiday message down to Earth—a message they called "Resilience," in tribute of the exceptionally difficult year we endured. "There couldn't be a more fitting name to describe 2020," said NASA astronaut Victor Glover, "The resilience of the human spirit is something that we can truly celebrate in this special season. "
• 8.9% tested positive in Suffolk County yesterday; 7.6% positive on a 7-day average
• 101 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a decrease of 3 in 24 hours
Johns Hopkins, Covid-19 Data In Motion: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
The Johns Hopkins 60-Minute Covid-19 Briefing: Expert Insights On What You Need To Know Now
As we continue to distribute the vaccine throughout New York, we've come across a new issue—possible fraud by a health care provider. The State Department of Health was made aware of reports that an Orange County health provider may have fraudulently obtained COVID-19 vaccines and diverted them to members of the public, contrary to the state's guidance to administer the vaccine first to frontline health care workers, as well as nursing home residents and staff. The State Department of Health is assisting the State Police in a criminal investigation into this matter.
Today I signed an Executive Order that states that a provider can be fined up to $1 million and lose all State licenses if they are found to have committed fraud or intentionally administered a vaccine to a person who is not eligible. We are very serious about this and we will not tolerate any fraud in the vaccination process. Those who do engage in fraud will be held accountable.
1. Approximately 140,000 New Yorkers to date have received one COVID-19 vaccine dose. New York expects to receive an additional 259,000 doses this week, with 139,400 coming from Pfizer and 119,600 coming from Moderna.
2. The State is expanding the priority groups of individuals eligible to receive a vaccine. The expanded group includes urgent care center employees, individuals administering COVID-19 vaccines (including local health department staff) and residents of NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) facilities. Next week, the state expects to further expand the group eligible for vaccination to ambulatory care workers and public-facing public health workers.
4. Western NY now has the fourth-lowest positive infection rate in the state. The region had the highest positivity rate in the state and I commend Western New York residents for getting ahead of the infection rate.
5. I am signing an Executive Order that extends the housing eviction moratorium. I will be working with the New York State Legislature this week to extend the moratorium to May 1st. No New Yorker should be evicted due to hardship related to this pandemic.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Every year Santa makes an appearance at the Ronald McDonald House on the Upper East Side of Manhattan—but this year, the traditional event was considered too risky, as many of the children staying there have compromised immune systems. Fortunately, the children did not miss out on the holiday cheer. With the help of the NYPD and FDNY, Santa was able to greet the kids from a safe distance. To make this happen, firefighters lifted Santa up several stories high in the "bucket" of a firetruck so that he could wave from right outside of the children's windows, bringing smiles to their faces."
• 1037 new cases were reported
• 885 new cases were reported
• 6.6% tested positive on Long Island yesterday; 6.6% positive on a 7-day average
• 8 fatalities
• 98 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), no change in 24 hours
• 3,181 hospital beds, 1,000 available, 31 percent
• 98 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of 7 in 24 hours
• 597 individuals were hospitalized, a decrease of 8 in 24 hours
December 23rd at 8:15pm
We're in a footrace between the vaccination program and the growing spread of COVID. So far, 89,000 New Yorkers have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose. 22,000 New Yorkers received their first dose at 90 nursing home facilities, during just the first two days of a federal-private partnership program in which New York is participating. As we continue to roll out the vaccine, I remind all New Yorkers to stay vigilant, especially over the holidays—wear a mask, social distance, continue to wash your hands. Celebrate smart. Happy holidays, New York.
2. The State is working on a plan to allow fans to attend the Buffalo Bills' first home playoff game in more than two decades under strict COVID-19 protocols. Under the proposal, which is being developed cooperatively between the Bills and the State Department of Health, fans in attendance would be required to receive a negative COVID-19 test result before being allowed into the stadium and contact tracing would be conducted after the game.
3. The Department of Financial Services issued guidance that will help expand New York's hospital capacity. DFS is directing insurers to suspend certain preauthorization and administrative requirements to help hospitals implement New York's "surge and flex" protocol. With today's action, hospitals will be able to quickly transfer patients between hospitals, better balance patient load and more.
4. The New York State Department of Health has authorized the use of extra doses that have been found in Moderna vaccine vials. We have learned that many 10-dose vials of the Moderna vaccine have enough of the vaccine for 11 doses. (The Pfizer vaccine, similarly, found to have extra doses.) The Department of Health issued guidance on administering these extra doses.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": The legendary Charles W. Howard of Albion, NY, who was one the most famous Santa Claus portrayers in history, will have a road in his hometown named in his honor. Howard, who died in 1966, took up the red-and-white mantle (and beard) after being dissatisfied with existing Santa Claus performers. He started at local department stores and later opened the first Santa School in Albion, where he taught hundreds of Santa's helpers to look, dress and act like elves—helping spread the season's cheer to countless children. He played Santa for 18 years in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and even consulted on the 1947 holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 23rd, 2020
Hospitalization as of December 23rd at 7:00pm
December 22nd at 8:15pm
With Christmas and Kwanzaa coming up this week, followed by New Year's Eve, we all need to do our part to stop the spread. And we can do so by celebrating in different ways this year. This year I encourage New Yorkers to celebrate smart so the virus doesn't spread to the point where the hospital capacity is at risk. It's been a long year and I do hope New Yorkers celebrate the holidays—but please celebrate smart.
1. New York's Wadsworth Laboratory has begun aggressive research of the new, more contagious COVID-19 strain discovered in the U.K. Already, Wadsworth has looked at more than 3,700 virus sequences identified in New York. It has yet to find the U.K. variant present in any of the random samples. Additionally, Wadsworth and the Department of Health have made agreements with six hospitals from across the State to obtain additional samples for further research and are making arrangements with other hospitals to do the same. If the variant is already here, we want to know, and we want to be able to aggressively trace it.
2. To date, 50,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered throughout New York. The state has received 630,000 doses thus far and expects to receive another 300,000 doses next week.
3. Virgin Atlantic has also agreed to require pre-departure COVID tests before passengers leave from the U.K. to New York. This is the third major airline to require a COVID-19 test before allowing passengers to board planes traveling from the United Kingdom to New York. I thank British Airways, Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic for this agreement.
4. Total hospitalizations rose to 6,661. Of the 164,868 tests reported yesterday, 9,716, or 5.89 percent, were positive. There were 1,126 patients in ICU yesterday, up 31 from the previous day. Of them, 614 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 139 New Yorkers to the virus.
5. It's important we continue our vaccination program through the holidays. With Christmas and Kwanzaa rapidly approaching, I call on hospitals, nursing homes, and medical personnel to continue providing vaccinations throughout the holidays to ensure nursing home patients and frontline health care workers are protected as quickly as possible.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Last night, stargazers and photographers looked up at the night sky to witness "The Great Conjunction," a celestial phenomenon where Saturn and Jupiter appear extremely close together in the sky. Also dubbed "The Christmas Star," an event of this caliber last occurred 800 years ago. The two planets won't appear this close together again until 2080.
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 22nd, 2020
Hospitalization as of December 22nd at 7:00pm
As we roll out our vaccination program, it's critical that underserved communities are not left behind. These communities, which are predominantly communities of color, got hit the hardest during the pandemic, which laid bare existing disparities in our health care system. We're doing everything we can so that New York is equitable in vaccine outreach and provides a model for the nation.
To that end, today we announced the new NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Task Force, co-chaired by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Attorney General Letitia James, National Urban League President & CEO Marc Morial, and Healthfirst President & CEO Pat Wang. This Task Force will break down barriers to vaccination, build confidence in the vaccine and ensure there is a fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine across the state.
1. Delta and British Airways have agreed to require pre-departure COVID tests before passengers leave from the U.K. to New York. In the wake of a new, more contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus found in the United Kingdom, British Airways and Delta Airlines have voluntarily agreed to our request to require their passengers to receive a negative COVID-19 test before they travel from the United Kingdom to New York. With this move, New York joins the list of 120 countries with a similar requirement on flights from the U.K. I have also asked Virgin Atlantic, the third major airline that services travel between the U.K. and New York, to do the same. The first virus came to New York via Europe, and we don't want history to repeat itself with this new variant.
3. As of this morning, more than 38,000 vaccine doses have been administered in New York State. This is the highest reported total of any state in the nation thus far. The first 346,200 doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected to begin arriving in New York today, with an additional 120,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine expected later this week.
4. New York State began administering vaccines to nursing home residents and staff. The first nursing home residents began to be vaccinated today as part of a federal program that partners with pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens to vaccinate nursing home residents and staff at nursing home facilities. There are 618 facilities across the state that will participate in the program.
5. To help with vaccination efforts, New York is developing Community Vaccination Test Kits. These kits will provide communities, particularly those located within health care deserts, with the supplies and resources needed for standing up vaccination sites. They will include materials such as schematics on assembling the space, chairs and tables, computers and other equipment needed to administer the vaccine.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": When New York became the global epicenter of the pandemic in the spring, many health care heroes put themselves on the line to fight tirelessly against the virus. To thank our health care heroes for their tireless work throughout the pandemic, the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce produced a video to express our universal appreciation for all they have done for New York and for the nation. Watch it here.
• 978 new unique cases were reported
• 1,145 new unique cases were reported
Suffolk County Confirmed COVID-19 Cases March 10, 2020 – December 20, 2020
Click for Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message (Starts at 7:18 minutes)
New Yorkers can see the COVID numbers and understand the risks. Destiny is in our hands, and I believe we can and will avoid a shutdown because we can slow the spread and if we do, the hospitals can manage the increase in cases. This is now a footrace between the vaccine and COVID, and as we slow the spread we also have to accelerate vaccine distribution at the same time.
The faster we vaccinate people, the quicker new COVID cases go down. We had some good news today in that respect. We have found that in many cases, vaccinators can get as many as six or seven doses from a single "five dose" vial. That means that our supply of vaccine doses is actually bigger than we thought—and more people can be vaccinated during this early stage of the process.
1. New York State's independent COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force approved the Moderna vaccine this morning. Their unanimous vote to approve the Moderna-developed vaccine followed the FDA vaccine panel's vote last night to recommend it for Emergency Use Authorization. The formal authorization by the FDA is expected imminently, and the state anticipates receiving 346,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine next week.
2. Total hospitalizations fell to 6,081—down 66 from the previous day. 1,068 patients are in the ICU, down 27 from the day before. 592 of those patients are intubated, down 19 from the day before. Sadly, there were 120 COVID fatalities yesterday. As has been the case for a number of days, the Finger Lakes continues to have the most hospitalizations as a percentage of their population of any region in the state.
3. The Department of Health issued guidance on administering "extra" doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from vials. COVID-19 vaccine providers have consistently been able to withdraw more than five doses from one five-dose vial of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. As a result, after consulting with the FDA and the manufacturer, the State Department of Health issued guidance permitting vaccinators to withdraw more than five doses from a single vial, and to use any extra vaccine that can easily be drawn up in a syringe to meet the 0.3 milliliter dose requirement. But extra vaccine fluid from more than one vial cannot be combined to produce extra doses.f
4. A record number of tests were reported yesterday. 249,385 tests were reported yesterday in New York State, a new high. Of them, 12,697, or 5.09 percent, were positive. Getting tested frequently is a good practice, especially since so many positive cases are from asymptomatic people (who can nevertheless infect others). Find a testing site here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": The largest publicly accessible fast-charging station for electric vehicles in the Northeast is here—and it's at JFK Airport. The ten-port charging station with high-speed 150kW chargers is part of a joint initiative by the New York Power Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that will reduce New York State's carbon footprint and improve air quality by incorporating electric vehicle technology throughout NY's airports. The EV charging hub will help decarbonize the transportation sector and get New York closer to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.
• 6.3% tested positive on Long Island yesterday; 6.1% positive on a 7-day averagee
• 7.2% tested positive in Suffolk County yesterday; 6.7% positive on a 7-day averagee
On this snowy day, I have a simple message that we can all agree with. We want to slow the spread, we want to avoid shutdowns, and together we can do it. We slow the spread by being smart during the holiday season. It's a difficult situation and people need to come together. There's a feeling of safety in your home and there's a feeling of safety when you're with your family, but it just takes one person infected who doesn't know it and living room spread happens. Half of all cases are from people who had no symptoms. So please be careful and stay safe.
1. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 6,147—up 50 from the previous day. Of the 202,772 tests reported yesterday, 10,914, or 5.38 percent, were positive. There were 1,095 patients in the ICU yesterday, down 3 from the previous day. Of them, 611 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 120 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. The deadline to sign up for a health plan through NY State of Health has been extended. New Yorkers have two more weeks (until December 31) to enroll in a health plan that begins on October 1. "As the pandemic continues, it is especially important for New Yorkers to have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance," said Donna Frescatore, NY State of Health Executive Director. Visit their website or call 1-855-355-5777 to enroll.
3. The Finger Lakes, with 736 hospitalizations, remains a region of particular concern. It has the highest rate of COVID hospitalization as a percentage of its population, at 0.06 percent. Central New York has 386 hospitalizations (0.05 percent of its population); Western New York has 501 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Mohawk Valley has 194 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Long Island has 1,025 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); the Mid-Hudson region has 743 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); the Capital Region has 328 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); the Southern Tier has 170 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); and New York City has 2,005 hospitalizations (0.02 percent). The North Country, with 59 hospitalizations (0.01 percent), continues to have the lowest rate of hospitalizations due to COVID.
4. To date, New York has conducted over 22 million COVID tests. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone who is positive, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to schedule a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A black-and-white stray dog who had become a celebrity in his neighborhood in Tallinn, Estonia, is being honored with a monument. When the mutt, called Zorik, was taken from the Estonian capital to live out his last years in the country, Zorik was so missed that residents decided to erect a statue of him. After raising funds, a local artist was commissioned to build the monument, which is meant to honor not just Zorik, but all strays. This one shaggy mutt's legacy will live on for many years to come.
As we see hospitalizations climb, remember that what we do collectively influences what happens. New Yorkers can stop a shutdown, New Yorkers can save lives. It depends on what we do. Right now we need to manage the hospitals, administer the vaccine and slow the spread.
With a major winter storm hitting large swaths of the state today, I encourage New Yorkers to stay safe in more ways than one. Please exercise caution, prepare for snow accumulation and keep off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Photo of the Day: Even with the world on his shoulders, the Atlas sculpture in Rockefeller Center wears a mask.
1. New York launched a new website about the COVID-19 vaccine with everything you need to know. It provides New Yorkers with a one-stop location for accurate and up to date information on the vaccine, safety, distribution priorities and more. On the site, New Yorkers can find general information about the vaccine, a detailed Frequently Asked Questions section that provides facts about the vaccine's safety and efficacy, and other questions you may have.
2. The State has identified Regional Vaccination Hubs to develop vaccination networks ahead of Phase 2. These hubs will be led by local hospital systems and will work with community leaders to develop vaccination networks, which will guide vaccination administration for the second phase. Under the state's plan, the second phase of administrations will focus on essential workers and individuals in the general public who are most at risk.
3. Total COVID hospitalizations climbed to 6,097. Of the 160,947 tests reported yesterday, 9,998, or 6.21 percent, were positive. There were 1,098 patients in ICU yesterday, up 33 from the previous day. Of them, 611 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 95 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. New York State health insurers will be instructed to cover COVID-19 vaccinations. The New York State Department of Financial Services issued a letter to New York-regulated health insurers directing them to immediately cover, without cost-sharing, approved COVID-19 immunizations and administrations. No New Yorker will have to pay a penny to get the vaccine.
5. The State has received 87,750 total doses so far. Yesterday, NYS received 77,025 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. An additional 80,000 Pfizer vaccine doses will arrive in the coming days to start the vaccination program for residents and staff at nursing homes.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Michelle Truxel of Dewitt, NY, is spreading holiday cheer to cats and dogs that live in shelters. As part of an effort she has dubbed "Santa Paws," Truxel collects toys and treats for shelter animals to enjoy on Christmas morning. Recently, she partnered with the Central New York SPCA to help provide a count of how many cats and dogs will be in the shelter around the holidays. To learn more about the animals at the CNY SPCA shelter or donate, click here. Read more about Santa Paws here.
The Latest From Governor Cuomo...
Everything we have done from the start of this pandemic has been based on the facts, and the facts are that COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all on the rise across the country. We are on an unsustainable trajectory and if we don't act now, hospitals could become overwhelmed in October.
Right now, New York is focused on growing hospital capacity through our Surge and Flex program and requiring hospital systems to begin working together so they are prepared. As those operations continue, it's on all of us to be smart, tough, and do what we know stops the spread—socially distance, wear masks and wash our hands. The goal is to avoid another shutdown and we will only be able to do that if we all do our part.
1. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 5,982. Of the 194,188 tests reported yesterday, 10,353, or 5.33 percent, were positive. There were 1,065 patients in ICU yesterday, up 25 from the previous day. Of them, 580 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 128 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. New York hospitals continue to receive and administer doses of the COVID vaccine. Among them was Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, NY, which administered doses that arrived today to the first members of its staff. The doses were administered to Upstate employees Kenzo Mukendi, Caprice Hibbler and Suzanne Buck, by Chief Nursing Officer Nancy Page.
3. The Finger Lakes region, with 725 hospitalizations, has the highest rate of COVID hospitalization by population. Hospitalizations in the Finger Lakes represent 0.06 percent of the region's population. Western New York has 520 hospitalizations (0.04 percent of its population); Central New York has 350 hospitalizations (0.05 percent); Mohawk Valley has 192 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Long Island has 972 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); the Mid-Hudson has 735 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); the Capital Region has 288 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); Southern Tier has 166 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); and New York City has 1,968 hospitalizations (0.02 percent). The North Country, with 56 hospitalizations (0.01 percent), has the lowest rate of hospitalizations due to COVID.
4. In the second round of the program, Nourish NY has so far spent $3 million to help New Yorkers in need. Over 2.8 million pounds of raw milk has been turned into dairy products and distributed by food banks, along with 993,000 pounds of produce. Over 1.1 million households in need have received products sourced from New York farms. With food insecurity impacting millions of Americans, we encourage all those in need to visit a food bank or pantry.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A teenager became a hero when she rushed in to save her neighbor from a house fire on Long Island. When flames surrounded a home in Brentwood, New York, 16-year-old Star Grant noticed that one of the residents of the house was missing: 69-year-old Catarina, who lived on the ground floor of the home. Star rushed in and escorted Catarina out of the house unharmed.
Today, history was made when Sandra Lindsay, a frontline ICU nurse and New Yorker, became the first American to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a non-trial setting. Sandra received the vaccination at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens. After her vaccination, I asked Sandra over Zoom how she felt and what she wanted to say to her fellow Americans. Her words speak for themselves:
"I am hopeful. I feel hope today—relieved. I feel like healing is coming and this marks the beginning of the end of a very painful time in our history. I want to instill public confidence that the vaccine is safe. We're in a pandemic and so we all need to do our part to put an end to the pandemic, and to not give up so soon. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we still need to continue to wear our masks, to social distance. I believe in science. As a nurse, my practice is guided by science and so I trust that. What I don't trust is that, if I contract COVID, I don't know how it would impact me or those who I come in contact with, so I encourage everyone to take the vaccine."
She's absolutely right: Healing is coming. Thank you, Sandra.
Photo of the Day: Dr. Michelle Chester administers the first vaccine to Sandra Lindsay, an ICU nurse (Photo by Scott Heins for the Office of Governor M. Cuomo)
1. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 5,712. Of the 159,844 tests reported yesterday, 9,044, or 5.66 percent, were positive. There were 1,040 patients in ICU yesterday, up 31 from the previous day. Of them, 572 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 83 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Hospitalizations could approximately double in one month if the current rate of growth continues. The fall and winter surge could lead to 11,000 people hospitalized with COVID and 3,500 additional fatalities in a month if the current rate continues. Please take this threat seriously. Yes, we have a vaccine—but we must be cautious and diligent in the days ahead to slow the spread as the vaccine distribution ramps up.
3. The Finger Lakes region, with 681 hospitalizations, has the highest rate of COVID hospitalization by population. Hospitalizations in the Finger Lakes represent 0.06 percent of the region's population. Western New York has 526 hospitalizations (0.04 percent of its population); Central New York has 340 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Mohawk Valley has 193 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Long Island has 935 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); the Mid-Hudson has 705 hospitalizations (0.03 percent); the Capital Region has 269 hospitalizations (0.02 percent); and New York City has 1,857 hospitalizations (0.02 percent). The North Country, with 53 hospitalizations (0.01 percent), has the lowest rate of hospitalizations due to COVID.
4. Today, New York announced updated micro-cluster focus zones. The Yellow Zone in Niagara County will be expanded. A new Yellow Zone will be added near Batavia, Genesse County, and another will be added near Rome and Utica, Oneida County—following these areas meeting the metrics for Yellow Zone designation. See all cluster zones and look up your address on our interactive map.
5. When you're indoors with people outside of your household, remember to wear a mask. Contact tracing data shows that 74 percent of COVID cases where the cause is known can be traced to small gatherings and the household. The CDC is urging—as are we—that you wear a mask indoors whenever you are with people that you don't live with, in both public and private settings.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Adam Shrager, who teaches statistics at the College of New Jersey, received a moving surprise from his students on the last day of remote learning before final exams. When Shrager started the lesson, all of the students had their cameras off, which was unusual, but slowly the students turned their cameras on revealing an array of thank-you messages from the students. The display of gratitude from Shrager's students soon went viral.
Covid-19 Data In Motion: Monday, December 14, 2020
• 302,930 in total have tested positive for antibodies
Suffolk County Executive Bellone Announces Covid-19 Testing Initiative For Suffolk First Responders
Last night, New York's independent COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force unanimously approved the FDA vaccine panel's decision to recommend the Pfizer vaccine. The Task Force, which is chaired by Nobel laureate Dr. Charles Rice, was able to review data on the vaccine concurrently with the FDA, allowing for a thorough review for New Yorkers.
This added level of approval should give New Yorkers additional confidence in the vaccine. As we prepare for the great task of administering the vaccine, we simultaneously continue to act to slow the spread of the virus and to ensure hospital capacity. We are constantly calibrating our strategy with the goal of maintaining as much economic activity as possible, while protecting public health. Today we took several new measures to that end.
Chart of the Day: Current COVID hospitalizations by region (COVID patients as percent of region population)
1. To protect hospital capacity, New York will implement new metrics to determine micro-cluster zones. Under these updated metrics, Red, Orange and Yellow Zones will now be determined as follows: A Red Zone will be implemented when a region reaches a critical hospital capacity—that is, when 90 percent of beds are full (after measures to increase capacity have been taken). An Orange Zone will be implemented if an area has a 4 percent positivity rate over the past 10 days (on a 7-day average) and is located in a region that has reached 85 percent hospital capacity. A Yellow Zone will be implemented if an area has a 3 percent positivity rate over the past 10 days (on a 7-day average) and is in the top 10 percent in the state for hospital admissions per capita over the past week and is experiencing week-over-week growth in daily admissions. It sounds complicated—but the basic idea behind these metrics is to ensure that hospital systems are not overloaded.
2. Starting Monday, December 14th, indoor dining in New York City will be suspended. This is in response to the continued increase in positive cases and hospitalizations, in addition to recently issued CDC guidance emphasizing the high risk of indoor dining. Outdoor dining, delivery and takeout will remain in place. This suspension will continue to be re-evaluated based on updated data over the coming weeks.
3. The State Department of Health is directing New York hospitals to take additional steps to help keep capacity below 85 percent. Under the directive, hospitals must either add additional capacity, reduce elective surgeries, or a combination of both, in order to remain under 85 percent. This measure expands on the previously announced "Surge and Flex" protocol.
4. I will sign an Executive Order extending the State's moratorium on commercial evictions. This moratorium will provide support to small businesses and other tenants during these difficult times. These businesses need help now more than ever, and Congress must include support for bars and restaurants in the next stimulus package.
5. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 5,321. Of the 212,672 tests reported yesterday, 10,595, or 4.98 percent, were positive. There were 1,007 patients in ICU yesterday, up 13 from the previous day. Of them, 546 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 87 New Yorkers to the virus.
6. Gyms and personal care services will be permitted to open in Orange Zones with limited capacity. Starting Monday, December 14th, gyms, fitness centers, salons and barber shops—which are currently closed in Orange Zones—will be allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity. Employees must be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis. This is good news for establishments in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, among other Orange Zone locations—and a testament to the success these industries have had across the state in keeping patrons safe.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": The Northern Lights, or the aurora borealis, are one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. Every year, travel and photography blog "Capture the Atlas" hosts an annual Northern Lights Photographer of the Year competition to showcase stunning photos of the aurora borealis. The blog recently shared 25 of the best photographs of the Northern Lights from around the world. Unfortunately, an initially promising forecast that parts of Upstate New York might glimpse the lights earlier this week failed to come to pass after the forecast changed—maybe next time!
As we continue to see the number of COVID-19 cases surge across the nation, it is beyond critical that we ensure hospitals, and hospital systems as a whole, develop additional capacity and prepare to work cooperatively with each other to prevent any one facility from becoming overwhelmed. This work is already underway through the State's "Surge and Flex" program. At the same time we are also focused on what comes next and on ensuring that the vaccine's distribution is fair and equitable.
The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine will undoubtedly go down as one of the most massive governmental operations in history. For it to be truly successful, underserved communities cannot be overlooked. I will continue to urge the federal government to fund outreach and take all the necessary steps to ensure that no communities are left behind during vaccine distribution. The communities that suffered the most during this pandemic must not be the last to get the vaccine.
1. Tonight a critical step in the FDA vaccine approval process took place. Members of the FDA's vaccine advisory panel—which is made up of scientific experts, infectious disease specialists and more—met all day to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Around 6:00pm tonight they voted to recommend that the FDA grant Emergency Use Authorization to Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. The FDA will now decide whether to accept their recommendation and could do so very shortly. New York State's independent COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force is meeting tonight as well.
2. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 5,164. Of the 197,406 tests reported yesterday, 10,178, or 5.15 percent, were positive. There were 994 patients in ICU yesterday, up 42 from the previous day. Of them, 539 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 92 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. To date, New York has conducted over 21 million tests. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
4. Members of New York State leadership and I sent a letter urging Congress to provide stimulus funding. Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, New York labor leaders and I issued a letter urging New York State's Congressional delegation to provide enough funding in the next federal stimulus package to avoid catastrophic cuts to the city and state budgets. New York State has been the hardest hit by COVID-19 and we need funding in the next stimulus to be allocated based on the needs of each state. Read the letter here.
5. New York is launching the New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership. Recognizing the economic impact of COVID-19, this program will provide small businesses and their landlords with informational resources and pro bono assistance to help both parties reach mutually-beneficial lease workout agreements. This service is available to all New York State small businesses and landlords, and participation is voluntary. Over the next year, the partnership has the capacity to serve thousands of small businesses statewide. Learn more here.
6. New York's Annual Toy & Coat Holiday Drive has been expanded to accept shipped packages. This new option allows New Yorkers to make online purchases and have them shipped directly to the drive-receiving locations in Albany and New York City—to be distributed to families in need—through December 18th. With many families struggling economically due to the pandemic, the need to spread cheer this holiday season is greater than ever. I encourage you to participate if you can!
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Fifty cats who live in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, were designated beneficiaries by an unnamed French philanthropist. Founded by Catherine the Great, the world-renowned art museum relies on the cats to fend off rodents. The cats are a centuries-old tradition. Cats have lived in the massive facility and served as "mousers" since at least the 1750s.
December 9th at 8:30pm
Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message
The FDA is expected to authorize Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine as soon as tomorrow and New York is expected to receive an initial allocation of 170,000 doses as soon as this weekend. As part of the distribution, the State will set up 90 cold storage sites as regional distribution centers that are capable of cold storage at the required temperature.
This vaccine distribution will be a massive undertaking. At the same time we will need to manage our hospital capacity and continue to stop the spread of the virus. The vaccine is the weapon that will win the war. We will get it produced. We will get it distributed. And we will be successful. But it will take months for the entire vaccination process to be completed. Meanwhile New Yorkers should continue to wear masks, social distance and avoid small and large gatherings.
1. As outlined in New York's vaccination program, high-risk health care workers, nursing home residents and staff will be the first New Yorkers to receive the vaccine. "High-risk" hospital workers include emergency room workers, ICU staff and pulmonary department staff. The State expects all "high-risk" hospital staff will receive a vaccine by the end of week two. Other long-term and congregate care staff and residents and EMS and other health care workers will follow high-risk health care workers. Essential workers and the general population, starting with those who at the highest risk, will be vaccinated after these initial priority groups.
2. New York has opted into the federal government's nursing home vaccination program. Under the federal program, employees of CVS and Walgreens will vaccinate residents and staff at these facilities, much like they do for the flu vaccine. We expect deliveries for this program to begin arriving next week and the federal administration program to begin by December 21st. New York is dedicating a portion of our initial 170,000 doses to this program. Portions of future state allocations will also be used to help complete the program and ensure all residents and staff are vaccinated.
3. There were 10,600 new positive cases yesterday. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,993. Of the 194,595 tests reported yesterday, 10,600, or 5.44 percent, were positive. There were 952 patients in ICU yesterday, up 46 from the previous day. Of them, 521 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 95 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. The CDC has agreed to remove requirements on vaccine reporting data that could have been used to identify immigration status. This means that New York will not send any personally identifying information to the federal government in vaccine distribution—ensuring that no one feels dissuaded from getting vaccinated due to immigration status.
5. The New York National Guard will participate in a vaccine pilot program. The NY National Guard has been selected by the Department of Defense as one of the 16 pilot programs across the nation to be part of the limited distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to military personnel. Members of the New York Army and Air National Guard who serve as part of the State's COVID response efforts will be eligible for the vaccine.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Two otters in the United Kingdom who both lost their partners have found love once again. Harris, a male Asian short-clawed otter at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary was introduced to Pumpkin, a female otter at SEA LIFE Scarborough. Caretakers were nervous about introducing the otters at first, but now the two are happy together at the SEA LIFE aquarium.
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 9th, 2020
• 1,591,231 COVID-19 tests were administered, an addition of 15,586 tests
• 69,996 total cases
Hospitalization as of December 9th at 7:00pm
The Coming COVID-19 Vaccine Scarcity
Who Will Get A Covid-19 Vaccine In The United States?
As we continue to see the number of COVID cases rise in New York and across the nation, it's critical that we not only remain tough and practice safe behaviors to limit viral spread, but that we also do everything in our power to ensure hospitals are prepared to handle a growing number of patients. As I announced yesterday, New York has instituted a number of measures to help prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed including a directive to expand capacity by 25 percent. Everyone must do their part to slow the spread of the virus and stop the uptick in hospitalizations. If we work together and stay New York Tough, we can manage this pandemic until the vaccine is here.
Photo of the Day: New Yorkers stop by to view the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
1. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,835. Of the 162,464 tests reported yesterday, 9,335, or 5.74 percent, were positive. There were 906 patients in ICU yesterday, up 34 from the previous day. Of them, 493 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 74 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Driver's license expiration dates have been pushed back to October 1, 2021. If you have a New York State Driver's License or permit with an expiration date after March 1, 2020, it is still valid until October 1, 2021. This extended an Executive Order that granted people whose licenses expired during the pandemic more time to renew.
3. SUNY Upstate Medical University received the number one ranking by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its COVID-19 saliva test. The saliva test developed by Upstate Medical and New York startup Quadrant Biosciences, called Clarifi COVID-19, detects the virus in its earliest stages. The FDA also cited the test as being among the most sensitive tests regardless of type. SUNY's COVID-19 saliva test is cost-effective and easy to use, which has been instrumental in helping SUNY campuses test students and staff and pinpoint cases.
4. In the second round of the program, Nourish NY has so far spent $2.4 million to help New Yorkers in need. So far, over 2.6 million pounds of raw milk has been turned into dairy products and distributed by food banks, along with 750,000 pounds of produce. Over one million households in need have received products sourced from New York farms.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Major Wooten of Alabama was recently hospitalized with COVID-19 but overcame the virus just in time to celebrate his 104th birthday last week. Wooten, who served in World War II repairing damaged trains in France, left Madison Hospital in a wheelchair adorned with birthday balloons as hospital workers sang "Happy Birthday."
Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message Starts at 9:40 minutes
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
• 352 individuals were hospitalized, an decrease of 2 in 24 hours
Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message 1
Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message 2 (Starts at 4:23 minutes)
I understand COVID fatigue—we all are tired and exhausted by this pandemic. But we can't give in to it. We can't let hospitalizations climb. Contact tracing data suggests that small indoor gatherings are a source of as much as 70 percent of infections. While I can understand why there is a desire to gather, we can't give in to it this holiday season. We have regulations in place for a compelling reason: to safeguard the public health, keep people out of hospitals and save lives.
Local governments must enforce compliance. If they don't enforce the restrictions it will not help us. But each of us needs to help too. How? It's simple: Follow health guidelines, avoid gatherings where COVID can spread and (you guessed it) wear a mask—including in all indoor settings when outside of your own household.
1. There were over 10,000 positive cases yesterday. Of the 208,297 tests reported yesterday, 11,271, or 5.41 percent, were positive. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 7.35 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 4.79 percent.
2. Total hospitalizations rose to 4,222. There were 795 patients in ICU yesterday, up 12 from the previous day. Of them, 403 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 60 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. New York State will opt in to a federal program to vaccinate nursing home residents and staff. The state expects to have enough vaccines for one-third of high-risk health care workers, assuming the federal approval process happens on schedule.
4. The CDC today recommended the "universal use of face masks" to fight COVID, further backing up New York's mask policies. The agency stressed the need for people to wear masks in all non-household indoor settings. As a reminder, New York State law requires everyone over age 2 who can medically tolerate a face covering to wear one when in public if unable to maintain at least six feet of distance from others. It's also an excellent practice in private settings outside of your own household.
5. As cases across the country continue to rise, the American people need support from the federal government. Today, National Governors Association Vice Chairman Asa Hutchinson and I issued a statement calling for Congress to deliver a COVID relief bill before recessing. This is a national crisis, cutting across geographic, economic and demographic lines, and it demands a national, bipartisan solution. Congress should not leave Washington for the holiday recess without enacting a much-needed COVID relief package. Read the full statement here.
6. New York reached a testing milestone today, with 20 million COVID tests conducted to date. For context, there are about 19 million New Yorkers. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": When Nyack resident Anna Solveig Sicari visited her parents recently, she brought along some unusual guests with her—two Nigerian dwarf goats named Sawyer and Scout. Sicari works at a therapeutic boarding school in Rockland County and oversees the school's animal care program. Over the holiday weekend, she treated the goats to some spectacular New York hiking—taking them to the Pinnacle overlooking Lake George and around trails in the Catskills. We hope they enjoyed the view!
Suffolk County Confirmed COVID-19 Cases March 10, 2020 – December 3, 2020
December 3rd at 8:30pm
Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message (Starts at 11:00 minutes)
"Hospitalizations due to COVID continue to increase throughout the State. The total number of hospital beds in NY is about 53,000—currently 35,000 of those beds are occupied by patients, about 4,000 of whom are COVID patients. For context, at the height of the pandemic in the spring, we had about 19,000 people hospitalized with COVID.
The next stage of the battle with COVID is going to be vaccine distribution and vaccine acceptance. The vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to get there, and we have to get there with as little loss of life as possible. We must do our best to keep the virus from spreading any further. Wear a mask, avoid gatherings (both indoor AND outdoor), social distance and wash your hands.
1. The statewide positivity rate ticked up to 4.84 percent yesterday. There were 9,855 positive cases from 203,440 tests reported yesterday. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 5.91 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 4.49 percent.
3. The State is launching 150 new rapid testing sites in partnership with Prescryptive Health. The partnership will help expand testing capacity in areas across the State where testing access is limited. Residents can find participating sites, schedule a test, receive results and follow-up with licenses clinicians directly from their mobile device. All testing sites will be searchable on the State's COVID test website and appointments for these sites will also be available at www.prescryptive.com.
4. I will sign an Executive Order expanding eligibility for New York State's COVID Rent Relief Program and reopening the application window. This Executive Order will expand the program's eligibility so more rent relief can be provided to New Yorkers and additional details will be available in the coming days.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Celebrity Chef David Chang, owner of the Momofuku restaurant group, became the first celebrity to win $1 million on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?". The prize money will be donated to the Southern Smoke Foundation, an emergency relief fund for restaurant industry workers impacted by the pandemic."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 3rd, 2020
• 298,171 total were tested for antibodies
Hospitalization as of December 3rd at 7:00pm
COVID-19 DATA IN MOTION: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2020
COVID-19: Johns Hopkins Experts Share Insights, Risks, and Data About States Reopening in the U.S.
December 2nd at 9:00pm
Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message 2 (Starts at 21:10 minutes)
"The federal government has informed us that New York will be getting its first 170,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks. If all safety and efficacy approvals are granted, we expect to receive these vaccines doses—from the New York pharmaceutical company Pfizer—on December 15. The State expects additional doses of both the Pfizer-developed vaccine and the Moderna-developed vaccine this month.
Following FDA approval, the NY COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force will look at the data and provide an additional level of review to the vaccine. This review will not delay distribution of the vaccine and will simply be another safety measure that ensures we can all trust in the vaccine. The COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force is made up of health experts and medical professionals and is co-chaired by Dr. Charles Rice, the winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Healthcare workers and nursing home residents will be the first groups of people to receive the vaccine. For most New Yorkers, though, the vaccine is still months away—and we are faced with a set of challenges to overcome before we get it. Hospitalizations are climbing across the state, and holiday social activity is certain to worsen this trend. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but in the winter we must fight harder than ever to slow the spread and save lives..
1. The statewide positivity rate dropped slightly to 4.63 percent yesterday. There were 8,973 positive cases from 193,551 tests reported yesterday. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 5.88 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 4.21 percent.
3. Starting next week, I will resume holding scheduled COVID briefings. Instead of daily briefings, this time the briefings will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Briefings are always streamed online at ny.gov, and are additionally broadcast on Twitter and Facebook Live.
4. We are seeing an alarming rise in COVID cases that trace back to "living room spread." New York's latest contact tracing data shows that 70 percent of new COVID-19 cases originate from households and small gatherings. Today, the State released a new PSA highlighting the dangers of COVID spread in these smaller, indoor settings. Watch the PSA here.
5. We've seen a 262 percent increase in hospitalizations in Western NY over the past three weeks. Even though the region continues to have the highest positivity rate in the state, hospitalizations are increasing across all of New York's significantly. I implore all New Yorkers to please follow health guidelines—wear a mask, socially distance, get tested, wash your hands and stop the spread.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Thanksgiving is a tradition that can be celebrated by all members of the American family—including canine and feline members. Last week, Rob and Hillary Dunn of Utica, NY, served "Thanksgiving dinners" to around 80 dogs and 150 cats at the Stevens Swan Humane Society. Each dog received a vet-approved plate of white turkey meat (no bones), canned sodium-free green beans, and canned pumpkin. The couple prepared the meals in the days leading up to the holiday, doing their best to make as many meals for the animals as possible. Visit the animal shelter's website here and learn about the animals up for adoption."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 2nd, 2020
• 31,201 individuals not previously tested for COVID-19 have tested positive for antibodies
Hospitalization as of December 2nd at 7:00pm
• 382 ICU beds 107 available, 28 percent
ADVISORY: Potential Exposure to COVID-19 at Two Suffolk County Restaurants
Suffolk health officials advise anyone who visited Senor Taco Mexican Grill & Bar, located at 1028 Route 25A, Mount Sinai, on November 20 or 24 and anyone who visited Phil's Restaurant, located at 1856 Wading River Manor Road, Wading River, on November 20, 21, 23 or 24 that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
This information is being shared with the public immediately upon discovery through intensive case investigation that more than one person connected with each of these venues has contracted the virus.
Those who were potentially exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days after visiting the restaurant. According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
Suffolk County health officials also encourage potentially exposed persons to get tested for COVID-19. For information on COVID-19, visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov/COVID19.
December 1st at 8:15pm
"December is here, and we are quickly moving toward a COVID-19 vaccine, which is great news. However, the federal government's current vaccine distribution plan fails to address equity issues adequately. Today, joined by a coalition of groups, I issued a letter to the Department for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urging the administration to support underserved communities and to protect undocumented immigrants in the process of the federal COVID-19 vaccination program.
We need to fund outreach to Black, Brown, Asian and low-income communities that are historically underserved by healthcare institutions so that every person in the United States can get vaccinated. Time is of the essence as we get closer to the distribution date and I urge the federal government to address these issues quickly.
Charts of the Day: New York continues to lead the nation in testing and to date we have conducted over 19 million tests.
3. Western NY has the highest positivity rate of any region in the state. The region has a 7.29 percent test positivity rate on a 7-day average, the highest of any of New York's regions. Regardless of where you live, you should be sure to follow the health guidelines—but this is especially true in Western NY.
4. The tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center will be held virtually tomorrow, December 2nd. There will be no public viewing of the lighting ceremony, but New Yorkers can watch it on TV—on NBC at 8pm. Starting Thursday, December 3rd, the tree will open to the public with protocols in place to manage crowds.
5. New York's annual holiday toy, coat and school supply drive begins today. This year has been difficult for more families than any time in recent memory. The holiday donation drive will benefit families in need across the state and runs through December 16th. Drop-off locations are set up around the State and COVID-19 protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of those dropping off donations. I encourage all New Yorkers to participate in the drive to help make someone else's holiday brighter.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Captain Sir Tom Moore, a British World War II veteran, has been named one of GQ's "Men of the Year" and will become the oldest person ever to be featured on the magazine's cover. Moore first caught our (and the world's) attention when he tried to raise $1,200 in COVID-19 relief funds before his 100th birthday by walking laps in his yard. Not only did he smash his goal by raising over $39 million, but he was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his service."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through December 1st, 2020
• 5.2% of those tested in Suffolk County in the last reported 24-hour period tested positive for COVID-19
Viral Tested Positive
• 609 new cases
Hospitalization as of December 1st at 7:00pm
• 14 Positive Currently in the ICU and Intubated
• 31 new admissions
• 16 discharged since last report
• 6,435 discharged since March 22
"I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. We are entering a new phase in the war against COVID, and therefore a new strategy is required. We need to ensure that hospitals have enough capacity and enough staff to deal with the fall and winter surge that is upon us. Tonight's update will be longer than usual, so bear with us, as the details are significant.
The Winter Plan to combat the COVID surge is multi-tiered and puts to good use the hard-won lessons we learned from the spring. First, we will manage hospital capacity to enhance and equalize care. Second, we will increase and balance testing resources and availability. Third, we will keep schools open safely. Fourth, we will try to prevent viral spread that stems from small gatherings. And fifth and finally, we will operationalize an equitable and safe vaccination program. (You can read more about the plan here, but many key aspects of it are included below.)
A vaccine is coming and this crisis will end. But until that happens, we must not overstress our hospital systems so we can save lives. That is the point of the Winter Plan, but it's also a mission we all must get behind. We've been through the worst but we're not done yet.
Charts of the Day: The rise in COVID hospitalizations is not limited to one area of New York. In fact, we can see it in every region of the state.
Here's what else you need to know about the Winter Plan:
1. The State Department of Health is implementing new emergency hospital measures to manage capacity. Hospitals are directed to identify retired medical staff, prepare to add 50 percent bed capacity, and confirm they have the mandatory 90-day stockpile of PPE, among other measures.
2. The State will refine the criteria for Yellow, Orange and Red Zones. The refinement will take into account important factors including the rate of hospitalizations, available hospital and ICU beds, and hospital staffing, and is part of our larger strategy of protecting hospital capacity. These changes will be implemented after experts evaluate any "post-Thanksgiving effect" in the COVID numbers.
3. If a hospital system is overwhelmed, we can pull an "Emergency Stop." In addition to the three existing micro-cluster zone levels (Yellow, Orange and Red), New York will add a new "Emergency Stop" level, which will effectively put that area under the NY on PAUSE guidelines from the spring. This new level would be used if a hospital system in that area was at serious risk of becoming overwhelmed.
4. The State will encourage school districts to keep schools open, particularly K-8 schools. Our efforts will be focused on keeping K-8 and Special Education open as long as it can be done safely—using sustainable, ongoing testing. While local school districts are able to close at levels under the State's mandatory closure rule, they are urged to keep K-8 schools open whenever it is safe.
5. Small gatherings have now been identified as the number one spread of COVID-19. At least 65 percent of all cases come from these settings and sixteen states, including New York, have already limited gatherings to no more than 10 people. While the government's ability to monitor small gatherings is limited, public education on the safety concerns of small gatherings is crucial. Help us spread the word on the danger these gatherings pose.
6. It will likely be months before a critical mass of vaccinations becomes available. Even though a vaccine is expected to be released in the coming weeks, we're still a while away from having a vaccine that is widely available. As the State operationalizes vaccine distribution, we continue to base our plan on three pillars: Fairness, Equity and Safety.
1. The statewide positivity rate was 4.57 percent yesterday. There were 6,819 positive cases from 148,974 tests reported yesterday. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 6.22 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 4.02 percent.
3. Elective surgeries in Erie County will be temporarily halted on Friday. Currently, the region has the most critical hospital situation in the state. Stopping elective surgeries will free up hospital beds. Elective surgeries consist of surgeries that are scheduled in advance.
4. Contact tracers allow people to know if they've been exposed. This is important for the safety of the individual and the greater community. If you are contacted by a NYS contact tracer, please pick up the phone—if you have caller ID, it will read "NYS Contact Tracing." Help them do their jobs and keep all of us safer.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Iron Chef winner Peter Kelly cooked up gourmet Thanksgiving meals for seniors living in public housing in Yonkers, NY. On Thanksgiving, Chef Kelly delivered 300 to-go meals, full of Thanksgiving favorites, to residents who were homebound and unable to see their families over the holidays. Chef Kelly, who owns the restaurant X2O in Yonkers, wanted to give back to the community where his culinary journey began."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 30th, 2020
Hospitalization as of November 30th at 7:00pm
The Johns Hopkins 30-Minute COVID-19 Briefing - #1
Full Video: JHU-UW Vaccine Symposium
• 3,4% tested positive on Long Island yesterday; 3.6% positive on a 7-day average
"The past year has been one of the most challenging in history. In March and April, New York became the global hotspot of the COVID pandemic. We suffered unimaginable losses with deep pain. But in the months that followed New Yorkers made sacrifices, big and small, to help stop the spread and save lives. Together we worked to protect one another and the public health. It was truly inspiring. As we respond to a new surge in COVID, that hard work is once again required.
Today is a day to reflect on our blessings and to share thanks. I am thankful for all our essential workers. For the doctors and nurses and medical staff who continue to put their health at risk to get us through this vicious pandemic. For the restaurant owners, business owners, bar owners who are hurting economically but still follow the rules to help keep patrons safe. For the bus drivers and train operators who show up every day so others can get to where they need to go. For every EMS worker, every first responder, every teacher. I am eternally thankful.
I am thankful for each and every New Yorker who stepped up as one community to meet this unprecedented crisis. It was never only about what government did — it was about what each of you did.
Today is not a normal Thanksgiving. It is hard that we cannot celebrate as we usually do with all the ones we love most.
But we know that Thanksgiving is not just about the trappings, or about how many chairs you can fit around the table. It's more profound, more meaningful, than that. This year we show our love to each other by continuing to look out for one another. And we know that if we continue to do so, we will have even more to be thankful for next year."
• 381 ICU beds 85 available, 22 percent
Suffolk County Confirmed COVID-19 Cases March 10, 2020 – November 25, 2020
"Unfortunately, we expect the virus to continue to spread as winter approaches. To that end, New York State in consultation with health experts is developing a winter plan to respond to the continued threat that COVID-19 poses to our state. The first step is to prioritize areas with the highest hospitalization rates to avoid adding strain to any hospital system. Second, we are looking at the best way to safely keep K-8 schools open, through testing and best practices. Finally, we are working toward operationalizing the vaccine plan for our state.
Tonight we focus on Thanksgiving. I wish all New Yorkers a very happy Thanksgiving and ask you to please celebrate the holiday safely.
Photo of the Day: Don't Be A Turkey — Wear A Mask!
1. Total hospitalizations rose to 2,982. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 5.82 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 3.04 percent. Of the 173,085 tests reported yesterday, 6,265, or 3.62 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 41 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade will be aired virtually tomorrow. Although Thanksgiving this year is different, some traditions will still go on — one of those is the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade will be held for a TV audience and will feature the iconic character balloons and musical performances. Instead of having 2,000 balloon handlers, as the parade has had in the past, there will be just 130 — with many utility vehicles being used to help fly the balloons.
3. We cannot underestimate the mental health impact of this pandemic, especially around the holidays. A reminder that New Yorkers can call the State's mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for free emotional support, consultations & referrals to a provider or visit the Office of Mental Health for resources.
4. In the second round of the program, Nourish NY has spent $1.3 million to help New Yorkers in need. So far, 1.8 million pounds of raw milk has been turned into dairy products and distributed by food banks, in addition to 330,000 pounds of produce. Over 980,000 households have received products. Unfortunately, not every New Yorker will have food security this holiday season; New Yorkers can find nearby food banks and food pantries, along with other resources, here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Remember the small owl discovered in the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree? The small Saw-whet owl, dubbed Rockefeller, or "Rocky" for short, is now a free bird once again. After being cared for at the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties, NY, the young owl was released back into the wild. Watch Rockefeller's release here. "
• 43 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of13 in 24 hours
November 25, 2020: The Suffolk County Department of Health Services Issues Advisory Regarding Potential Exposure to COVID-19 at Tellers Restaurant in Islip
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services is advising anyone who visited Tellers Restaurant, located at 605 Main Street, Islip, NY, on November 16 or 17 that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
This information is being shared with the public immediately upon discovery through intensive case investigation that more than one person connected with this venue has contracted the virus.
• 1 fatality
November 23rd at 10:15pm
Click for Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message (starts at 18:00 minutes)
"This Thanksgiving isn't normal—nothing in 2020 has been. But Thanksgiving was never really about the trappings. It's always been more powerful than that. This Thanksgiving is a time to really give thanks to the people who did phenomenal things during the course of this year: The doctors and nurses, all the essential workers, all the neighbors who went out and shopped for their neighbor and helped them. We thank every person who wears a mask for their diligence. We thank every restaurant owner, business owner, bar owner who lived by the rules and who suffered economically to keep their business open. We thank every police officer, every EMS worker, every teacher. We thank every bus driver and train operator who had to stand there with hundreds of people walking past them all through COVID. And so, so many others.
This year, we show our thanks by keeping each other safe. We may be physically apart but we're spiritually together.
Chart of the Day: Total New York hospitalizations could reach 6,000 in three weeks based on current trends—even without a Thanksgiving spike. But they don't have to. Please help us slow the spread by following all recommended health procedures.
2. New York announced new and modified COVID-19 micro-cluster zones. Part of Staten Island's Yellow Zone will become an Orange Zone. New Yellow Zones will be established in Upper Manhattan and Nassau and Suffolk Counties. New Orange Zones will also be established in Monroe County (in and around Rochester) and Onondaga County (in and around Syracuse). These changes go into effect this Wednesday, November 25, for businesses and Thursday, November 26, for schools. All the maps of the current micro-cluster zones are available here.
3. We are opening an emergency facility in Staten Island to respond to the rising cases. There were 108 hospital admissions of Staten Island residents in the past seven days (11/16-11/22), up from 27 admissions a few weeks ago (10/26-11/1). At the request of local hospitals, we will be opening an emergency facility for COVID patients at the South Beach Psychiatric Center that will utilize up to 108 beds on two floors to handle overflow for COVID-19 hospitalizations.
4. To date, New York has conducted over 18 million COVID tests. Any New Yorker can get tested and you can find a testing site near you here. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make an appointment at a New York State-run testing location—most sites have available appointments at drive-thru or walk-in locations.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": To celebrate World Children's Day this year, Hip Hop Public Health and the Special Olympics premiered a music video to promote health and fitness. The video features over 100 young people representing 28 different countries with different styles of dance from around the world to encourage children and families to stay active during the pandemic."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 23rd, 2020
Hospitalization as of November 23rd at 7:00pm
November 22nd at 8:45pm
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 22nd, 2020
Hospitalization as of November 22nd at 7:00pm
November 21st at 9:45pm
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 21st, 2020
Hospitalization as of November 21st at 7:00pm
Click for Today's Governor Cuomo Video Message (starts at 05:00)
"New York State continues to remain on guard as Thanksgiving approaches. While the State's COVID numbers are better relative to most of the nation, we have still seen an uptick in the number of total COVID hospitalizations, and test positivity rates in many parts of the state that are higher than we'd like to see. Western New York, with a 4.84 percent test positivity rate on a 7-day average, is of particular concern. Remember: As New Yorkers, we decide our own destiny. What happens next is not written in stone. Help combat "living room spread" by avoiding gatherings with people outside of your household. Get tested if you have symptoms or have reason to believe you were exposed to the virus. Wear a mask, particularly indoors. And stay New York Tough.
1. New cluster zone restrictions went into effect for businesses today. The changes include two new Yellow Zones in the Bronx, a new Orange Zone in Erie County, a new Yellow Zone in North Tonawanda, NY, and an expanded Yellow Zone in Queens. See which restrictions apply in which color of zone here. See all the maps here.
2. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 4.55 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.15 percent. Of the 205,466 tests reported yesterday, 5,468, or 2.66 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations rose to 2,348. Sadly, we lost 32 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. Yesterday, New York reported a record-high number of tests. New York reported 205,466 tests, a new record. Testing is one of the best tools against this virus. You can easily search for a testing site near you here. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make an appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
4. Small business owners can check if they are eligible for New York State support programs or incentives. There are a number of business incentives that small business owners may be able to take advantage of. To get started, simply answer questions about your business and New York's Business Express Incentive Wizard will provide a list of New York State programs and services that could help your business get off the ground.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Aretha Franklin will be inducted in the National Women's Hall of Fame in this year's virtual induction ceremony. Located in Seneca Falls, NY, the organization will honor the Queen of Soul and five other Black women on December 10th, in a ceremony that will be broadcast online."
• 1,297,717 COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 14,807 tests
• 9 Positive Currently in the ICU and Intubated
• 9 discharged
"What I've seen from this virus after battling it for 260-plus straight days is that in some ways its course is predictable. So it is clear that as people travel for the Thanksgiving holiday—so will the virus. Travel is a real concern because New York State has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. If people travel here from states with higher infection rates, that poses a great risk.
The CDC is strongly urging Americans, as are we, to avoid Thanksgiving travel. Celebrate this American tradition with just your immediate household to help ensure the safety of your loved ones and your community. Love is sometimes doing what's hard and this year, if you love someone, it is smarter and better to stay away. It's tough to hear but it's better to be safe than sorry—and we can still spread thanks without spreading COVID.
Photo of the Day: Today's Zoom call between the National Governors Association leadership and President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. (Photos by Mike Groll)
1. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas dropped slightly to 4.11 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.38 percent. Of the 195,239 tests reported yesterday, 5,310, or 2.72 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations rose to 2,276. Sadly, we lost 31 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. New York updated the COVID-19 micro-cluster focus zones. Rockland County's Yellow Zone will be expanded, and parts of Orange and Westchester counties will become Yellow Zones due to increased cases, positivity, and hospital admissions from these areas. All the maps of the current micro-cluster focus zones are available here.
3. I met with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and fellow governors to discuss the ongoing COVID response. We look forward to a strong federal-state partnership and to working hand-in-hand in the months ahead. Topics of discussion included how to achieve a fast and equitable vaccine distribution, how to help our communities recover economically and more.
4. Round two of the successful Nourish NY program is underway. So far, 1.7 million pounds of raw milk has been turned into dairy products and distributed by food banks, in addition to 210,000 pounds of produce. Over 940,000 households have received products sourced from New York farms through this initiative, which is helping keep businesses and families afloat.
5. A smaller Thanksgiving celebration doesn't mean you have to skip out on the great food. To help New Yorkers plan for smaller holiday gatherings, I Love NY created a list of scaled-down recipes that are great for smaller Thanksgiving celebrations.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": While the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was being installed, workers discovered that an unexpected traveler had hitched a ride during the tree's two-day trip from Oneonta, NY, to New York City. Staff who worked for the transportation company found a small baby Saw-whet owl, the smallest owl in the northeast, in the tree. The baby owl, dubbed Rockefeller, was moved to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, where he will be cared for until he's ready to be released into the wild."
• 14 discharged
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Information Videos
"There's so much about COVID that we still don't know. But it is clear that COVID can have devastating long-term effects for some people. Known as "long-haulers," these individuals struggle with symptoms that last for months after catching COVID. One of the most concerning symptoms is chronic fatigue, which can make it difficult to even do simple daily tasks. It's important that we all take COVID seriously. Even if you're younger or in good health. Wear a mask, social distance, avoid gatherings—and together let's work to stop the spread.
Chart of the Day: New York continues to lead the nation in testing and to date we have conducted over 17 million tests.
1. The statewide positivity rate rose above 3 percent. In the micro-cluster focus areas, the positivity rate was 4.89 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.82 percent. Of the 159,852 tests reported yesterday, 5,088, or 3.18 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations rose to 2,124. Sadly, we lost 29 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. New Yorkers can now take free online courses through Coursera. In partnership with Coursera, we launched a free online platform for New Yorkers to learn new job skills, earn certificates and advance their careers. At a time when unemployment has risen due to the pandemic, we hope these online courses will help New Yorkers get back on their feet. So, whether you're unemployed, underemployed, or are simply interested in learning new skills, check it out and sign up.
3. The iconic Christmas tree arrived in Rockefeller Center. The 75-foot Norway spruce is New York grown—specifically, the tree comes from Oneonta, NY. It will be illuminated on December 2nd, but there will be no public viewing of the tree lighting ceremony because of the pandemic. The tree lighting will instead be broadcast nationally on NBC.
4. We can't underestimate the strain of COVID fatigue. Mental health is just as important as physical health. New Yorkers can call the State's mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for free emotional support, consultations & referrals to a provider or visit the Office of Mental Health for resources.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": When a group of NYC hospital staff aren't serving on the frontline, they're writing short stories, poems, and other pieces as part of a literary journal. Started in 2000 by six individuals at Bellevue Hospital, the Bellevue Literary Review ties together the medical and literary community. Over the past two decades, the journal has published fiction, nonfiction and poetry about health and healing. This fall, NY actors Erin Cherry and Nkosi Nkululeko held a virtual reading of pieces from the journal as part of a longstanding autumn tradition. Watch the reading here. Thank you to the Bellevue Literary Review's Editor in Chief and frontline hero Danielle Ofri for sharing this with us."
"Over the past six days, the United States recorded 1 million new COVID cases. The virus is spreading across the country and we see its impact in New York now too. It's not an Upstate or Downstate issue—cases are increasing throughout the state and all New Yorkers, regardless of where they live, must take action to protect themselves and each other. We continue to implement our comprehensive micro-cluster strategy and increase our testing capacity to new heights. However, our success also depends on the vigilance and commitment of New Yorkers. Wash your hands, stay socially distanced, wear a mask and limit or avoid gatherings. We're going to get through this pandemic, but only if we do it together and stay New York Tough.
Photo of the Day: Yesterday, I met over Zoom with fellow governors from New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware to discuss policies as we enter the next state of the COVID crisis.
1. The statewide positivity rate is 2.80 percent. In the micro-cluster focus areas, the positivity rate was 4.19 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.50 percent. Of the 124,565 tests reported yesterday, 3,490, or 2.80 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations rose to 1,968. Sadly, we lost 25 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Today, the State launched a new web application to help New Yorkers find state services and benefits. The "Find Services" web application was developed in partnership with Google.org, to assist New Yorkers in locating appropriate services with one streamlined web application. Due to the pandemic, unfortunately, we're seeing an unprecedented demand for social services and this application provides an easy-to-use starting point for first-time program users.
3. Remember, indoor gatherings pose a serious risk for spreading COVID. Gatherings inside or outside of private homes are now limited to 10 people or fewer. If you are indoors with visitors, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of spread: Open windows to increase airflow, wear masks, keep distance and shorten the duration of the visit.
4. Tonight is the first night of Central New York's "Lights on the Lake" holiday tradition. The annual holiday tradition, featuring decorative holiday light displays, will be held as a drive-thru event due to the pandemic. To ensure social distancing, no runners or walkers will be allowed to walk the route but residents can still get into the holiday spirit safely.
5. Instead of having an in-person Thanksgiving dinner this year, consider a virtual alternative. To help facilitate virtual Thanksgiving celebrations during the pandemic, Zoom will lift its 40-minute meeting limit. The extended service will be available starting midnight on November 26th, Thanksgiving Day, through Friday, November 27th at 5 a.m. This Thanksgiving, spread thanks, not COVID.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Members of the Shirley, Long Island community came together over the past few months to help Jean Littman, an 88-year-old Korean War veteran, with home maintenance. From redoing Jean's fencing to cleaning up large tree branches, the community stepped up to make sure Jean's safe and to thank Jean for her service in the U.S. Marines. As the hamlet of Shirley proved, New York is one community, and New Yorkers look out for one another."
• 1,246,176 COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 9,345 tests
• 97 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 16 in 24 hours
• 81 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 4 in 24 hours
• 3.7 percent of those tested in Suffolk County in the last reported 24-hour period tested positive for COVID-19
• 77 individuals were hospitalized, a decrease of 1 in 24 hours
Today's Governor Cuomo Video Messages...
Video 1 (Starts at 2:30)
"I want to ask all New Yorkers to carefully think about their Thanksgiving plans in the context of the current COVID surge around the nation. Look at the numbers in your community and look at the numbers in the United States and the world. They are rapidly increasing—countries are locking down. As we approach the holiday season, if people travel so will the virus. I believe this situation is going to continue to deteriorate over the coming weeks.
Effective tonight, all indoor and outdoor gatherings at private homes are limited to no more than 10 people as we see more and more instances of "living room spread"—that's COVID spreading in smaller, private settings. Bars, restaurants and gyms will also close beginning tonight from 10pm to 5am (excluding takeout and delivery) in order to reduce virus spread in these settings.
We are in this together, and everyone must do their part to protect our loved ones and communities. I know it's hard, and we're all tired—but there is still a long time before a vaccine will be available, and we must manage this global surge. The next few weeks are key.
Image of the Day: A story of community spread from a wedding in Maine reminds us how dangerous gatherings can be.
1. The statewide positivity rate fell to 2.65 percent. In the micro-cluster focus areas, the positivity rate was 4.58 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.29 percent. Of the 203,721 tests reported yesterday, 5,401, or 2.65 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,737. Sadly, we lost 24 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. A regional summit will be held this weekend with governors from Northeastern states. It's important that we are aligned with our neighbors on how we handle the virus. In light of rising cases in the region, I will meet with neighboring governors to discuss aligning our policies amid this national surge.
3. The Rockland County cluster will move to a Yellow Zone. The micro-cluster has been under 3 percent positivity, and hospital admission rates have declined, meeting the metrics for transitioning to a Yellow Precautionary Zone and the buffer zone will be removed. More information about the State's micro-cluster strategy is available here.
4. Yesterday, New York reported a record-high number of tests, with over 200,000 tests reported. As we draw closer to the holidays, it's important that New Yorkers get tested so we can identify positive cases, implement our contact tracing program and stop the spread. Any New Yorker can get tested and you can find a testing site near you here. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make an appointment at a New York State-run testing location—most sites have available appointments at drive-thru or walk-in locations.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Michelin-acclaimed La Morada, a family-run Mexican restaurant in the Bronx, is serving as both a restaurant and soup kitchen. Early on in the pandemic, the owners had to close the restaurant after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, but when they reopened, following a successful online crowdfunding campaign, La Morada began cooking for families in need. Now the restaurant makes about 650 meals a day for fellow New Yorkers—including those who are elderly, unemployed or unable to cook."
• 1,212,121,COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 11,768 tests
• 4.3 percent of those tested since March have been confirmed positive for COVID-19
• 3.3 percent of those tested on Long Island in the last reported 24-hour period tested positive for COVID-19
"Unfortunately, COVID is raging nationally, setting record numbers of cases and hospitalizations each day. Yesterday, there were 148,302 new COVID cases in the United States—nearly doubling the number from November 1st. The fall surge is here.
Yesterday, we announced new actions to slow the spread. Starting tomorrow, Friday, November 13th, any establishment with a state liquor license, including bars and restaurants, must close in-person service daily from 10pm to 5am (this excludes takeout and delivery). Gyms and fitness centers must also close at 10pm. Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people, also starting tomorrow evening. We have seen that small, indoor gatherings are a major source of spread.
Once again, it's up to what we do. What happens next is a pure consequence of our actions now. I know it has been a long hard time, but these next weeks are going to be crucial and we need people to buckle down to fend off the worst. If there is a time to show that we are New York Tough, it's now.
Photo of the Day: To honor our veterans, landmarks across the state, including Niagara Falls, were lit red, white and blue last night.
1. The statewide positivity rate is just below 3 percent. In the micro-cluster focus areas, the positivity rate was 4.86 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.53 percent. Of the 162,627 tests reported yesterday, 4,797, or 2.95 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,677. Sadly, we lost 29 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. New York continues to take action to address the micro-cluster across the state. Based on data metrics, Port Chester's yellow zone will transition to an orange warning zone. We also announced new yellow precautionary zones in Staten Island and Tioga County. The yellow precautionary zone in Steuben County has been removed. Maps of the existing cluster zones are available here.
3. In just one week, New York has conducted an additional one million tests. To date, New York has conducted over 16 million tests and we continue to lead the nation in testing. Find a testing site near you.
4. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade announced the performers for its virtual celebration. The celebration will be broadcast nationwide this year on Thanksgiving morning but due to the pandemic, there will be no audience. The parade will also forgo the annual procession to avoid large crowds but will feature performances from Dolly Parton, the Muppets, the cast of Hamilton and more.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Chris Nikic, 21, became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon. The Special Olympics athlete was recognized by the Guinness World Records upon completing the Ironman Florida race in 16 hours 46 minutes and 9 seconds. "Ironman. Goal set and achieve. Time to set a new and Bigger Goal for 2021," said Nikic in an Instagram post."
• 77 individuals were hospitalized, no change in 24 hours
Video 1 (Starts at 18:30)
"Most of us are aware of the danger of large, indoor gatherings when it comes to COVID. They are where super-spreading happens. But viral spread is not limited to large group settings. I want to stress that small, indoor gatherings also pose a very serious risk. Small gatherings are a significant source of spread.
As COVID cases rise, we recommend limiting the size of any indoor gatherings you host or attend. Thanksgiving dinners can be celebrated most safely if you limit the group to only your immediate household. If you are going to spend time with people outside of your household, there are steps you can take to mitigate risk: Be outside as much as possible. If indoors, wear a mask at all times that it is possible to do so. Open windows to increase ventilation if you can. Keep six feet or more of distance and limit the amount of time you spend at indoor gatherings. COVID spreads among strangers but it also spreads among friends. As the numbers continue to rise we must all double down and take this surge very seriously.
Photo of the Day: A billboard outside the Javits Center in NYC reminding us to Mask Up (Photo by Nina Dudko)
1. The statewide positivity rate rose above three percent yesterday. In the micro-cluster focus areas, the positivity rate was 5.59 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.56 percent. Of the 128,036 tests reported yesterday, 3,965, or 3.09 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,548. Sadly, we lost 32 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. The State's investment in New York-based medical suppliers is already yielding results. When the Trudeau Institute and Adirondack Health wanted to expand rapid testing in the North Country, they had trouble getting the supplies and equipment they needed. So the State connected them with Rheonix, an Ithaca-based manufacturer that Empire State Development has invested in. Thanks to this collaboration, the Trudeau Institute and Adirondack Health opened a brand-new lab in Saranac Lake that will be able to process up to around 160 COVID tests per day and yield fast test results for residents. The State's investment in Rheonix is part of a series of strategic investments in strengthening New York's medical supply chain.
3. As we continue the fight against a surge in COVID-19 cases, we can't let flu season make matters worse. New York has launched a Flu Tracker, which displays daily and weekly flu data and provides timely information about local, regional and statewide flu activity. Take a look—and please get a flu shot if you haven't already.
4. In response to rising infection rates in the region, Syracuse and Albany Universities will switch to remote learning. The University of Albany switched to online learning today and Syracuse will switch next week. Yesterday, the State announced a Yellow Zone in Onondaga County, placing pandemic-related restrictions on the Syracuse area.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": On the eve of her 30th birthday, Ariel Cordova-Rojas came across an injured swan while biking through the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last week. With the ranger station closed, Ariel, a former employee of the Wild Bird Fund, took quick action to help the bird and used the New York City subway as her ambulance. Ariel and the swan rode the train up to Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn, where they met two Wild Bird Fund employees and brought the swan to the nonprofit's clinic in the Upper West Side. The bird is now receiving care thanks to Ariel's intervention."
• 9 new admissions
November 9th at 8:15pm
Video 1 (Starts at 06 min. : 41 seconds)
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 9th, 2020
Hospitalization as of November 9th at 7:00pm
"Public health experts predicted that with the arrival of fall, we would see COVID infections rise—and that is indeed the case. The challenge for our state, like all other states, is managing the increase. Today, we announced modifications to our existing micro-cluster zones in response to the latest metrics. Micro-cluster zone maps have changed in Brooklyn, Rockland County and Orange County in response to declining positivity rates. The Yellow Zone in Far Rockaway has been removed, however there is a new Yellow Zone in Westchester County. Micro-cluster zones in Queens - Kew Gardens/Forest Hills, Broome County, Steuben County and Chemung County remain unchanged.
Maps of each micro-cluster zone and further details are available here. As we identify outbreaks, we will continue to take quick action to contain and eliminate them. As always—we need your help, too. Wear a mask. Get tested. Stop the spread.
Map of the Day: Brooklyn's Red Zone has new boundaries, as does its surrounding Yellow Zone. All of NY's micro-cluster maps are available here.
1. The positivity rate in the micro-cluster focus areas was 3.16 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.84 percent. Of the 160,705 tests reported yesterday, 3,209, or 1.99 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,321. Sadly we lost 18 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. SUNY colleges and universities will conduct exit testing for in-person students before sending them home for Thanksgiving. Students who go home for Thanksgiving will then be required to stay home and switch to remote learning for the rest of the semester (instead of returning to campus for the short period between Thanksgiving break and the winter holidays). We are asking private colleges to consider adopting similar plans.
3. Buffalo Bills fans will have to wait to attend in-person games. Unfortunately, due to an uptick in COVID cases in Western New York, it would be dangerous to allow fans to attend games at Bills Stadium.
4. We are expanding testing in Port Chester in response to a recent uptick in cases. The Department of Health is coordinating with the Westchester County Department of Health and Open Door Family Medical Center to provide rapid testing at a new site. Rapid testing will be available at the Open Door medical clinic in Port Chester, NY on Saturday, November 7, from 9am - 2pm; Monday, November 9, from 10am - 6pm; and Tuesday, November 10, from 10am - 6pm. Residents must make an appointment—either online or by calling 914-995-7425.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": To help handle the stress of the pandemic, a mother and daughter from Trumansburg started a daily tradition of visiting State Parks to hike and unwind in the great outdoors. The duo, Amy Dawson and daughter Elizabeth, went on 200 consecutive hikes before their streak ended this fall. The Dawsons logged 593.8 miles of trail while writing about their hiking journey."
"Yesterday, there were more than 100,000 new COVID cases in the U.S. Every expert told us that come the fall, cases would go up. We expected this and can effectively deal with the outbreaks by our micro-cluster strategy. But one of our very best tools in this battle to prevent the spread of the virus is if each and every one of us wears a mask. Wearing a mask is about respect, it's about community and it's about love. And remember that mask wearing is mandatory on public transit. It's going to take the work of every New Yorker so we all need to Mask Up. We can't let our guard down as we spend more time indoors. We can't say just this one time I'll skip the mask. We can stay the course New York. Together we can beat this virus.
Chart of the Day: Yesterday, New York State reported over 160,000 diagnostic tests.
1. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas fell was 3.04 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.70 percent. Of the 161,019 tests reported yesterday, 2,997, or 1.86 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,277. Sadly we lost 24 New Yorkers.
2. The October 2021 Regents exams are canceled. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the New York State Education Department decided to cancel the examinations across the state to ensure the safety of both students and educators. The Education Department will also ask the Board of Regents to adopt emergency regulations and apply specific exemptions so not to negatively impact students. A decision on the June and August exams have not been decided yet.
4. Download the COVID Alert NY app today. New York launched an Exposure Notification App so New Yorkers can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and receive exposure alert notifications without compromising privacy or personal information. Click here to download it directly to your iPhone. Click here to download it directly to your Android device.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": When Laura Palladino of Dutchess County checked in to watch June Farms' live stream, she had no idea she'd be saving the lives of two farm animals. Laura visited the farm a couple of weeks ago where she first saw two pregnant Gloucestershire pigs and decided to virtually check in on the pigs to see if they had given birth. During the stream, she saw smoke in the barn that escalated into a fire, and even though she lives an hour and a half away, she contacted the local fire department and the farm owners, saving the pigs' lives."
• 7 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of 1 in 24 hours
"The surge in cases around the country and the globe is a stark reminder that this pandemic is far from over, and while we are doing a good job keeping our positivity rate low, we must remain vigilant in monitoring the infection rate throughout the state. We're staying on top of this situation by continuing our aggressive micro-cluster strategy, expanding testing capacity and enforcing compliance of the public health law. But New Yorkers must continue to practice the basic daily behaviors that make such a difference in our ability to slow the spread. Be vigilant, mask up, social distance, wash your hands and keep being New York Tough. It's going to take the work of all New Yorkers to beat this virus and we have to work together.
Photo of the Day: In I Love NY's latest Fall Foliage Report, there is still time to catch the fall foliage in the Hudson Valley and Long Island.
1. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas fell to 2.69 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.42 percent. Of the 133,534 tests reported yesterday, 2,126, or 1.59 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,253. Sadly we lost 14 New Yorkers.
2. Ski resorts can reopen with 50 percent indoor capacity starting this Friday, November 6th. There will be strict health and safety protocols put in place, including masks required at all times, except when eating/drinking or skiing/snowboarding, restricting gondolas and ski lifts to members of the same party, and limiting lessons to no more than 10 people.
3. To date, New York has conducted over 15 million tests. We continue to lead the nation in testing and remember, any New Yorker who wants a COVID test can get tested. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you.
4. Ads from the "Mask Up America" campaign have been seen 43 million times. ThThe national campaign with videos featuring the voices of Ellen Pompeo, Paul Rudd, Billy Crystal, Anthony Mackie and more, have aired on TVs across the country and reached millions. Watch all the ads here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Garrison Redd, a Team USA para powerlifter from Brooklyn, is helping those with physical disabilities get adaptive equipment to improve their mobility and their livelihood through accessibility. Through his non-profit, the Garrison Redd Project, Garrsion helps members of the disabled community acquire wheelchairs, walkers and canes and provides creative adaptive activities and events that accommodate their physical limitations. The organization uses these activities and events to raise awareness and recognize the challenges people with disabilities face."
• 1,120,188, COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 7,486 tests
• 74 new cases
November 3rd at 8:45pm
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 3rd, 2020
Hospitalization as of November 3rd at 4:30pm
• 4 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a decrease of 2 in 24 hours
November 2nd at 7:15pm
"Tomorrow is Election Day and your final chance to make your voice heard. If you haven't cast your vote yet during New York's Early Voting or through returning an absentee ballot, be sure to vote in-person tomorrow. And if you voted absentee and haven't mailed in your ballot yet you can drop it off at any polling place tomorrow. New Yorkers can look up their Election Day polling place here. And to ensure voter safety, polling sites will have protections including social distancing markers, hand sanitizer and more. Masks or face coverings are required inside poll sites. Go Vote, NY!
Image of the Day: Go Vote!
1. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas was 3.5 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.48 percent. Of the 96,101 tests reported yesterday, 1,633, or 1.7 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,151. Sadly we lost 14 New Yorkers.
2. New York announced a new protocol allowing out-of-state travelers to "test out" of the State's mandatory 14-day quarantine. Starting Wednesday, November 4th, travelers must be tested within three days prior to landing in New York, quarantine for at least three days upon arrival, and get tested on the fourth day of arrival. If travelers receive a negative test on the fourth day of their quarantine, they can exit quarantine. Read more about the State's new guidelines.
3. An additional $10 million is being dedicated to the Nourish NY program. So far, this program has successfully bridged the gap between our families, our food banks, and our farmers, directing 32.8 million pounds of produce, dairy and meat to families in need. I'm thrilled that with this new funding, this critical program will continue, allowing New York's emergency food providers to purchase surplus products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers through the end of the year, including during the holiday season. Especially now, during this global pandemic, no New Yorker should go to bed hungry.
4. Tomorrow, November 3rd, is the deadline for vehicle inspections and registrations. Any New Yorker who must renew registrations, non-driver IDS and inspections that lapsed during the pandemic must do so by tomorrow at the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. Some of these services can be done online.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Every year, Equinox, a human services nonprofit based in Albany, hosts the largest Thanksgiving dinner in the Capital Region. Despite the pandemic, the Thanksgiving dinner will go on this year. Usually hundreds of volunteers help prepare 11,000 meals at the Empire State Plaza and this year to protect both the volunteers, delivery workers and fellow New Yorkers, the meals will be delivered rather than being prepared in-person."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 2nd, 2020
• 1,102,775 COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 5501 tests
Hospitalization as of November 2nd at 4:30pm
• 6 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), no change in 24 hours
November 1st at 8:15pm
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through November 1st, 2020
Hospitalization as of November 1st at 4:30pm
October 31st at 9:00pm
Governor Cuomo Announces New Guidelines Allowing Out-of-State Travelers to "Test Out" of Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to New York to "test out" of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory; however, covered travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Essential workers will continue to be exempt as well. The new protocol is effective Wednesday, November 4.
"The ship of State is sailing well: New York is the third lowest positivity rate in the nation and New Yorkers should be very proud of what they're doing. However, travel has become an issue - the rest of the states pose a threat. We're going to a new plan given the changing facts, and the experts suggest we shift to a testing policy," Governor Cuomo said. "So there will be no quarantine list; there will be one rule that applies across the country. We bent the curve of this virus by following the data and the science, and we are continuing that approach with these new guidelines."
For any traveler to New York State from out of state, exempting the contiguous states, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine are below:
For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours:
• Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state.
• The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
• On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain seek another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
For travelers who were in another state for less than 24 hours:
• The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
• However, the traveler must fill out the traveler information form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.
Local health departments will validate tests, if necessary, and if a test comes back positive, will issue isolation orders and initiate contact tracing. The local health department must make contact with the state the traveler came from, to ensure contact tracing proceeds there as well. All travelers must continue to fill out the traveler information form upon arrival into New York State to contribute to New York State's robust contact tracing program.
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 31st, 2020
Hospitalization as of October 31st at 4:30pm
• 2,020 total fatalities (adjusted)
October 30th at 7:00pm
"Tomorrow is Halloween and I hope New Yorkers enjoy the holiday in a way that's safe for their families and the community. To help New Yorkers make informed decisions on Halloween activities, the NYS Department of Health published Halloween guidance, with recommended activities and Do's and Don'ts for a safe Halloween. We advise New Yorkers to refrain from traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed out at the door and where it would be difficult to maintain social distance. Don't trick-or-treat indoors (for example, in apartment buildings). Also, it's important to keep in mind that a Halloween mask is not a substitute for a full cloth or surgical mask that covers the mouth and nose. Have a Happy Halloween and stay safe.
Photo of the Day: Actors Selena Gomez, Mark Hamill, Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo participate in the NY-led "#MaskUp challenge." Join in by posting a selfie with a mask and the hashtag #MaskUp, share why you wear a mask, and tag five friends to take the challenge.
1. Total hospitalizations are flat. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas was 2.75 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.38 percent. Of the 146,885 tests reported yesterday, 2,255, or 1.53 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations remain at 1,085. Sadly we lost 12 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Today, we launched the New York State Flu Tracker to prepare for flu season. As we continue the fight against COVID-19, we can't let flu season make matters worse. The tracker displays daily and weekly flu data and provides timely information about local, regional and statewide flu activity. I encourage you to get a flu shot if you haven't already.
3. Sunday is the last day of Early Voting. There are two days left to participate in New York's Early Voting period, which ends Sunday, November 1st. If you have an absentee ballot and you haven't cast it yet, don't mail it—instead drop it off in person. You can drop off absentee ballots at any polling place (there are expedited, dedicated lines for doing so) or at your local Board of Elections office. New Yorkers can also, of course, vote in-person on Election Day on Tuesday, November 3rd. Find your local polling place here.
4. Schools in Red and Orange Zones can reopen if they complete testing protocols. Today we announced an agreement on testing protocols that will allow public and private schools in Red and Orange "micro-cluster" zones to reopen—if they perform mass testing before the school reopens and follow it with weekly surveillance testing. Impacted schools can reopen as early as Monday, but students and faculty must be able to provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to going back to the classroom. The State will provide free rapid-result test kits for schools wishing to participate.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A new film from two New York directors, Kahane Cooperman and John Hoffman, showcases stories of Americans coming together to uplift one another. The Antidote serves as a visual essay on human compassion, showing how a little kindness can go a long way. One of the stories the film tells takes place in Sullivan County, New York, at the Center for Discovery. Watch the trailer here."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 30th, 2020
Hospitalization as of October 30th at 4:30pm
"The impact that COVID has had on the physical and mental health of many New Yorkers cannot be overstated. As the challenge feels daunting it's critical that each of us stays vigilant as we move into the winter and COVID fatigue continues to set in. New York State will do all we can to battle this virus—we will closely monitor the data and we will increase testing capacity to new daily highs; in fact we achieved a new one today.
It's important to put the numbers we are seeing in New York into context—we're holding steady in the midst of increasing cases in the United States and around the globe. New Yorkers must wear masks, socially distance and wash their hands, and local governments must continue to be vigilant in enforcement. Stay New York Tough.
Photo of the Day: In I Love NY's latest Fall Foliage Report, most of the state is "past peak" but New York City and Long Island still have some foliage to enjoy before the season ends.
1. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas was 3.24 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.25 percent. Of the 168,353 tests reported yesterday, 2,499, or 1.48 percent, were positive. There were 1,085 total hospitalizations. Sadly we lost 19 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. The 2021 NY State of Health Open Enrollment Period begins Sunday, November 1st. As we continue to fight COVID-19, making sure every New Yorker is insured and has access to health care has only become more critical. If you are not insured, make 2021 the year you change that. View health plan options here, or you can go online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5557 for assistance.
3. Yesterday, the State reported 168,353 COVID-19 tests—a new record high for a single day. The total tests surpassed 14 million. As a reminder, any New Yorker who wants a COVID test can get one. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to the virus, get tested. Find a testing site near you.
4. Fifty-six Coronavirus cases have been linked to two "superspreader" events on Long Island. A wedding, which had 91 people in attendance, has left 30 people testing positive for the virus and hundreds needing to quarantine. The wedding, in Cutchogue, was in violation of the State's ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 50 people and the venue has been fined. In Bellport, 26 guests who attended a birthday party have now tested positive for COVID-19. These two events serve as an important reminder that large gatherings are a bad idea.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": With Election Day around the corner, many New Yorkers have already cast their votes by absentee ballot or during Early Voting. Among them is 103-year-old Helen Schmitz from White Plains, NY. Born before women had the right to vote nationally, she completed her absentee ballot and made her voice heard this year. If you haven't voted yet, there are many ways you can still vote including at an early polling place through November 1st (find your polling place here), or on Election Day, November 3rd."
October 29th at 10:30pm
"We continue to focus our attention on the "micro-cluster" areas throughout the state and to closely watch the metrics in each area. As a given "micro-cluster" makes progress in terms of reducing the positivity rate, we reevaluate and can make adjustments to their designation. A cluster in Orange County, for example, has made good progress, and therefore some restrictions on activities will be removed. We're continuing to watch other focus areas as part of the State's Micro-Cluster Strategy to look for signs of progress.
New York's test positivity rate remains among the lowest in the country. Still, alarming surges around the country and world show how quickly the virus can take hold again in communities that let their guard down. So as New Yorkers, we must continue to take the situation very seriously.
Graphic of the Day: New York's test positivity rate is the second to lowest in the US.
2. I advise New Yorkers to avoid large family gatherings — even for Thanksgiving. If individuals wish to travel in and out of state for the holiday, or for any reason, you must follow the State's COVID Travel Advisory quarantine regulations. The best way to say "I love you" and show your thanks to your loved ones is to avoid travel and show your respect for your family members' health and safety. As an alternative, New Yorkers can hold Thanksgiving dinners with their immediate household or organize virtual events.
3. The "Red Zone" micro-cluster focus area in Orange County will shift to an "Orange Zone." Orange County's micro-cluster zone positivity rate has gone from 12 percent to 2 percent in three weeks and the rate of new daily hospital admissions has flattened. Read more here.
4. Counties will now be allowed to require mask mandates at all times in schools. We know that masks work in stopping the spread of the virus. Counties, via their local department of health, will now be allowed to require that mask mandates be extended at all times in both public and private schools under their jurisdictions.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Three frontline workers opened up a Filipino restaurant in New York City — in addition to their day jobs as nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital. Maricris Dinopol, Jude Canela and Joan Calanog, all Filipino, were unsatisfied by the food options they could find in-between shifts. So they've started a new restaurant called Bilao, which opened in August and became a hit on the Upper East Side. Bilao, located at 1437 First Avenue, has tables set up along the sidewalk and in a tented curbside area. The chef, Boji Asuncion, a friend of Dinopol's brother, serves a range of traditional Filipino fare."
"Our country is seeing a surge in COVID; there have been almost half a million new confirmed COVID cases in the US in just one week. While the number of new cases per 100,000 residents in New York remains low relative to other states, New York State is not in a hermetically sealed bubble.
COVID is still here and continues to spread in communities in New York, particularly when people do not follow the safety protocols in place to control the virus. We continue to see outbreaks linked to mass gatherings at houses of worship, at weddings and funerals, and other events where too many people gather.
We cannot let our guard down and risk sliding backward in New York. We all must remain vigilant as the weather gets colder and as we are up against "COVID fatigue." Stay NY Smart: Wear a mask, socially distance and follow the public health guidance. It's there to save lives.
Chart of the Day: The statewide test positivity rate (the orange line) remains under 2 percent.
1. California has been added to New York's Travel Advisory. Individuals traveling to New York from California must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in NY. Massachusetts meets the criteria for the travel advisory but due to the region's interconnectedness, quarantine is not practically viable. As such, New York highly discourages non-essential travel between Massachusetts and New York to the extent practical. See more info here.
2. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas was 3.65 percent yesterday. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.53 percent. Of the 111,618 tests reported yesterday, 1,991, or 1.78 percent, were positive. There were 1,083 total hospitalizations. Sadly, we lost 15 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. SUNY will require on-campus students to test negative for COVID-19 before leaving for Thanksgiving break. That means SUNY's 64 colleges and universities will test about 140,000 people over a 10-day period leading up to Thanksgiving break. Per the policy, colleges in the SUNY system should schedule tests as close as possible to students' departure date. "I want to thank our students for the phenomenal effort during these difficult times as well as SUNY health policy experts for helping us create this guidance that ensures a safe wind down of the fall semester," said SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras.
4. The MTA will begin a voluntary COVID-19 screening program for frontline transit employees. Under this new initiative, free COVID testing will be offered at field locations and medical assessment and occupational health services centers to frontline NYC Transit, LIRR, Metro-North and Bridge and Tunnels employees. Up to 2,000 frontline MTA employees will be screened per week under the initial phase of the program. Read more here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A Pulitzer Prize-winning composer is giving Central Park its own soundtrack. Composer Ellen Reid has written new music for an app called Soundwalk that is intended especially for visitors of Central Park. The app uses GPS to know where you are walking in the Park — and what you hear on your headphones changes depending on the route you take. In this way, the listener becomes a composer too. The music for this immersive auditory experience includes 25 different nature-inspired themes, recorded by members of the New York Philharmonic, among others."
Click for Today's Governor Cuomo Press Conference
"As we continue to fight against COVID-19, it's clear that masks help stop the spread and save lives. I'm proud to announce with my daughter Mariah Kennedy Cuomo that New York is partnering with the company The RealReal and dozens of New York fashion designers to create limited edition made-in-New-York masks. Drawing from the diversity and creativity that New York's fashion industry is famous for, these unique masks will benefit COVID-19 relief efforts and remind the public that we all still need to Mask Up.
Profits from this campaign will be donated to Feeding America, Nurse Heroes and the New York COVID Relief Fund to help New Yorkers and Americans in need. Read more about the campaign here.
Particularly now, as the virus surges in parts of the country, it's critical that we continue to wear masks and take the simple everyday measures that reduce the spread — stay distant and wash your hands often. #MaskUp
Photo of the Day: My daughter Mariah and I announced New York's new partnership with The RealReal and NY fashion designers to create limited-edition masks.
1. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas was 3.25 percent. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.18 percent. Of the 82,117 tests reported yesterday, 1,191, or 1.45 percent, were positive. There were 1,059 total hospitalizations. Sadly, we lost 12 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As we face the latest front in our long fight against COVID, New York has a battle-plan. In an op-ed in the New York Daily News, I lay out a roadmap for getting through the months ahead, a future vaccine and New York's plan to mitigate outbreaks of the virus as we transition into the colder season. Read it here.
3. There are six days of Early Voting left in New York. Early Voting runs through Sunday, November 1st. Also, completed absentee ballots can be dropped off in-person at any early polling site (and at your local Board of Elections office). Look up your early polling place here.
4. The test positivity rate is below 3 percent in every region of the state. In New York City, the positivity rate yesterday was 1.4 percent. In Long Island, it was 1.2 percent. In the Capital Region, 1.5 percent. In Central New York, 1.4 percent. In the Finger Lakes, 2.3 percent. In the Mid-Hudson Region, 2.4 percent. In Mohawk Valley, 0.7 percent. In the North Country, 1.4 percent. In the Southern Tier, 1.0 percent. And finally, in Western New York, 1.3 percent. See more data here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A classic part of the voting experience is receiving the "I VOTED" sticker to signify to others that you've performed your civic duty. This election year, New York magazine asked 48 artists from all corners of the U.S. to design "I VOTED" stickers that will be featured on the cover of the October 26-November 8 issue of the weekly magazine. A wide variety of stickers will also be available inside the magazine for readers to peel off. Read more."
• 1.2 percent of those tested on Long Island in the last reported 24-hour period tested positive for COVID-1919
Suffolk County Confirmed COVID-19 Cases March 10, 2020 – October 23, 2020
October 23rd at 8:30pm
"With Halloween just around the corner, I want to remind New Yorkers to enjoy the holiday but to do so safely. To help New Yorkers make an informed decision on which Halloween activities are safe for their families, the State Department of Health has published guidance for Halloween. The best way to celebrate Halloween this year is to have fun with the people who live in your household — for example, carving pumpkins, watching scary movies or having a virtual costume party.
If your family plans to celebrate outside your home this year, follow some simple "Do's" and "Don'ts" from the Department of Health to keep your family and community safe. Any activities should be socially distanced and outdoors. We advise New Yorkers not to participate in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed out at the door and you cannot maintain social distance. Please don't trick-or-treat indoors, unless you are at your own house with family members. If you live in an area with a high number of COVID cases, skip in-person celebrations altogether. (Read the full guidance here.) I hope I can count on your help in making sure this year's activities are safe for everyone.
Photo of the Day: A seasonal reminder from the MTA to wear your mask (Photo by Kevin Call)
1. Early Voting starts tomorrow, October 24th. For the first time New Yorkers can vote early in a presidential election. There are nine days of Early Voting, which runs from Saturday, October 24th through Sunday, November 1st. Additionally, completed absentee ballots can be dropped off in-person at any early polling site. Robust measures are in place to protect the health and safety of all voters. Look up your early polling place here.
2. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas fell to 2.31 percent. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 0.98 percent. There were 1,023 total hospitalizations. Of the 141,508 tests reported yesterday, 1,637, or 1.15 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 11 New Yorkers to the virus yesterday.
3. New Yorkers can now experience the Empire State's many craft breweries through a Virtual Passport Program. Today, the State launched a virtual passport program that showcases 200 craft breweries surrounding the 750-mile long Empire State Trail. This program makes it easier for people to enjoy the State's natural beauty and renowned craft beverages even amid the pandemic.
4. Movie theaters outside of New York City reopened today. Theaters can open at 25 percent capacity with up to 50 people per screen. Only theaters outside of New York City in counties that have positivity rates of less than 2 percent on a 14-day average, and which do not have any cluster zones, are permitted to open.
5. Eight additional companies have received support from the State to help produce PPE. Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency, awarded $4.9 million to eight NY-based companies to help alleviate product shortages that could lead to unfair price gouging of life-saving supplies. These awards boost New York businesses while helping ensure New York is prepared in the event of a second wave.
6. New York landmarks will be illuminated pink tonight to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While COVID-19 forced many New Yorkers to put off routine health exams during the height of the pandemic, we encourage New Yorkers to stay updated with their breast cancer screenings. Breast cancer screenings are covered by most health plans, including Medicaid and health plans participating in the New York State of Health. More information about the screening program for the uninsured New Yorkers and other NYS Breast Cancer Programs can be found here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": COVID altered our lives — and it also altered our language. We asked New Yorkers to submit "new" words or phrases as part of a semi-official COVID dictionary. Here are a few of the entries:
Coronahobby — "A new hobby you took up to pass the time at home, e.g. needlepoint or bread-baking."
New York Tough — "Coming together, being strong, putting differences aside, getting through this."
Blursday — "When all the days of the week start to blur together."
Birthday Parade — "A birthday celebrated with friends and families driving by in cars, blasting songs and displaying signs and balloons."
Rona — "For when you just don't have the energy to say the whole thing."
Covidiot — "Someone who ignores the warnings regarding public health or safety."
Quarantine Fifteen — "The pounds a few of us may have put on while staying at home."
Six-Foot Shuffle — "When strangers walking down the street or waiting in line move to give each other six feet of distance."
Chin Guard — "A mask worn below the mouth and nose." "
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 23rd, 2020
Hospitalization as of October 23rd at 4:30pm
October 22nd at 8:30pm
"COVID anxiety is real. COVID stress is real. COVID depression is real. I understand we're tired of wearing masks, of social distancing, etc. The pandemic has caused tremendous stress on each of us. And the longer it goes on, the worse it's going to get. We see it in the numbers, in a rise in substance abuse, in the way people are relying on mental health services and in real need of resources. We can't ignore the emotional and mental health impacts of this pandemic.
Give your friends a call. Check in with your family. Ask them how everything is going and how they are feeling. Let's show each other some love because mental health is just as important as physical health. New Yorkers can also call the State's mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for free emotional support, consultations & referrals to a provider. We are New York Tough as we go through this together but let's not also forget to be New York Loving.
1. The positivity rate in the "micro-cluster" focus areas was 3.20 percent. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 0.96 percent. There were 986 total hospitalizations. Of the 135,341 tests reported yesterday, 1,628, or 1.2 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 15 New Yorkers to the virus yesterday.
2. The Department of Health is partnering with Cortland County and SUNY to open new rapid testing sites. Starting tomorrow, October 23rd, free community testing will be open to the public at designated testing sites. Testing will be available from noon to 4:30pm on Friday and 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. You must have an appointment. A list of testing locations is available here along with the link to make an appointment for a free test.
3. The Nourish NY program has spent over $18 million connecting New York farms with families in need. To date, 20.8 million pounds of raw milk have been made into products like yogurt and cheese that have been distributed by food banks, along with 6.4 million pounds of produce from NY farms. Almost 800,000 households have received products from more than 4,000 farms through this initiative — which is helping keep farms and families in need afloat.
4. On Purple Thursday, we stand against domestic violence. Landmarks across the state will be lit purple tonight to spread awareness of domestic violence. Amid COVID, reports of DV have increased. Remember: You are not trapped because of COVID and you are not alone. If you need help, you can call the State's Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906, or text 833-997-2121. New York will always fight for domestic violence survivors.
5. The test positivity rate is below 2 percent in every region of the state. In New York City, the positivity rate was 1.1 percent. In Long Island, it was 1.0 percent. In the Capital Region, 0.9 percent. In Central New York, 1.0 percent. In the Finger Lakes, 1.4 percent. In the Mid-Hudson Region, 1.5 percent. In Mohawk Valley, 0.6 percent. In the North Country, 0.5 percent. In the Southern Tier, 1.5 percent. And finally, in Western New York, 1.5 percent. Remember that you can look at updated regional COVID data anytime online.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A painting by a famous Black artist that was missing for 60 years was discovered thanks to a visitor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met is hosting an exhibition of an important series of paintings about Revolutionary War times by Jacob Lawrence, an acclaimed American painter. But the series was missing one of the panels. What happened next was a stroke of fate: A patron realized she had seen a very similar work on the wall of her neighbor's apartment on the Upper West Side, just across Central Park from the Met. It was the missing panel. The owners, who did not realize their painting was "missing" to art historians, were happy to lend the piece to the Met, where it is now displayed with the rest of the series. According to Eric Widing, Deputy Chairman of Christie's New York, the painting is worth "in the seven figures." The elderly owners had bought it at an auction for a modest sum in around 1960."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 22nd, 2020
Hospitalization as of October 22nd at 4:30pm
"New York's micro-cluster strategy is designed to reduce the spread of COVID with the least disruption and the most targeted approach. Today, after 14 days of data monitoring, we are modifying existing cluster zones and adding new ones in Steuben and Chemung Counties — areas that have seen recent upticks in positive cases.
"Cluster zones" can be either Red, Orange or Yellow and each carries different restrictions. The boundaries are set based on actual COVID cases using sophisticated mapping software. Defined criteria determine when an area will enter or exit a zone. These changes, and the new cluster zones, take effect tomorrow (Thursday, October 22nd) for impacted businesses and houses of worship. The changes take effect on Monday, October 25th for impacted schools. See all of the cluster zone maps here.
As we identify small outbreaks this fall and winter, we will continue to take quick action to contain and eliminate them. New Yorkers have come too far and made too many sacrifices to risk going back. Wear a mask. Get tested. Stop the spread.
1. The positivity rate in the "Red Zone" focus areas rose to 6.61 percent. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.42 percent. There were 950 total hospitalizations. Of the 124,789 tests reported yesterday, 2,026, or 1.6 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost seven New Yorkers to the virus yesterday.
2. We are expanding testing along the Pennsylvanian border in response to a recent uptick in cases. The Department of Health is partnering with local health departments to open new rapid testing sites in communities in the Southern Tier and Western New York. Rapid testing sites located in those counties can be found here.
3. The test positivity rate remains below 3 percent in every region of the state. In New York City, the positivity rate yesterday was 1.6 percent. In Long Island, it was 1.6 percent. In the Capital Region, 0.8 percent. In Central New York, 1.9 percent. In the Finger Lakes, 1.7 percent. In the Mid-Hudson Region, 2.6 percent. In Mohawk Valley, 0.5 percent. In the North Country, 0.6 percent. In Western New York, it was 2.0 percent. And finally in the Southern Tier, 1.3 percent. Remember that you can look at updated regional COVID data anytime online.
4. Binghamton University will resume in-person classes on Thursday. The university shifted to remote learning on October 7th but after a drop in COVID cases, in-person class is back. The school will continue to perform surveillance testing, provide diagnostic testing to symptomatic students and ensure that all students follow proper health protocols. SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, in thanking the students for their cooperation during the two-week pause, said the campus community "did the right thing."
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A small Chihuahua called "Kenz" was named the 2020 American Hero Dog by the Humane Society for helping and mothering countless disabled animals at the Mia Foundation in Rochester, NY. Even though Kenx was born with a cleft-palate, she has served as a mother figure to a myriad of young animals who could not stay with their mothers due to medical issues. From puppies to kittens and even a squirrel, Kenz nurtures baby animals regardless of species or size."
"One of the lessons we learned in New York is that we need to look ahead to stay ahead of this virus. To tackle additional COVID-19 hot spots that we expect to come with the fall and winter weather, New York will employ our micro-cluster strategy to take fast and targeted action. The micro-cluster is predicated on three principles: Refined detection, specific and calibrated mitigation, and focused enforcement.
Rather than looking at COVID-19 data on the state level, regional level, county level, or even by ZIP code, we now analyze the data on the block-by-block level. This level of detail allows us to more intelligently react with targeted measures. It also has the advantage of causing less disruption (for example, restrictions could focus on the area of concern rather than an entire town or city). We will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the progress New Yorkers have made.
1. Two states were added to New York's COVID-19 travel advisory. Individuals traveling to New York from Arizona and Maryland must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania meet the criteria for the travel advisory but due to the region's interconnectedness, quarantine is not practically viable. As such, we highly discourage non-essential travel between these states and New York to the extent practical. See more info here.
2. The moratorium on commercial evictions is extended until October 1st. This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants. This date aligns with the moratorium on residential evictions.
3. The positivity rate in the "Red Zone" focus areas fell to 2.91 percent. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas is 1.25 percent. There were 942 total hospitalizations. Of the 90,540 tests reported yesterday, 1,201, or 1.3 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 12 New Yorkers to the virus yesterday.
4. Today, the MTA launched a new digital map of the New York City subway. This map features live data streams to show the current status of all subway lines through the NYC Transit System. You can even see trains pull in and out of stations in real time. Remember that mask wearing is mandatory on public transit. If you do not have a mask with you, visit any station manager where you can request a free mask.
5. New York has one of the lowest test positivity rates in the nation. Among all 50 states, New York's test positivity rate on a 7-day rolling average — 1.17 percent — is the third lowest of any state. See all 50 states' positivity rates on a 7-day rolling average.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Canadian couple Lindsay Clowes and Alex Leckie decided to exchange their vows on the U.S.-Canada border to allow both their Canadian and American families and friends to attend their wedding. The couple, both 29, held their wedding on a pier along the St. Croix River in New Brunswick. American guests watched the ceremony from Calais, Maine, just across the river. Despite the travel restrictions between the two countries, the couple were able to find a way to share their special day with their loved ones in a safe and creative way."
• 992,563 COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 5978 tests
• 6,000 discharged since March 2
"We all hope that there will be a COVID vaccine that can be approved and administered in the near future. To ensure a safe and effective distribution of a vaccine once it is ready, the State has announced a draft Vaccine Administration Program, which will serve as an initial framework for the distribution of a vaccine. The three principle of safety, efficacy and equity are paramount. We will only distribute a vaccine that meets our safety standards, is proven to be effective, and that has clear prioritization that is fair and equitable.
This draft Vaccination Administration Program is designed to work in concert with the federal government's actions. Vaccinating New York will be a massive undertaking; indeed, it is a larger operational undertaking than anything we have done against COVID to date. That's why we are planning and getting the advice of experts at every step. Read more about the State's Vaccination Administration Program here.
Chart of the Day: Over the weekend, New York reported a record number of diagnostic tests — 159,000 in one day. Remember: Any New Yorker can get tested for COVID. Find a testing site near you.
1. Most movie theaters outside of New York can reopen on Friday, October 23rd. Theaters can reopen at 25 percent capacity with up to 50 people per screen. Theaters outside of New York City in counties that have COVID-19 positivity rates of less than 2 percent on a 14-day average, and that do not have any cluster zones, are permitted to open.
2. The positivity rate in the "Red Zone" focus areas fell slightly to 3.31 percent. The statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 1.13 percent yesterday. There were 934 total hospitalizations. Of the 82,009 tests reported yesterday, 998, or 1.21 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 14 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. Ski resorts can reopen with 50 percent indoor capacity starting November 6th. There will be strict health and safety protocols put in place, including masks required at all times, except when eating/drinking or skiing/snowboarding; restricting gondolas; and ski lifts to members of the same party, and limiting lessons to no more than 10 people.
4. Request an absentee ballot today and make your voice heard. Any New Yorker who is concerned about COVID exposure can request an absentee ballot this year. While the official deadline to request one either online or by mail is October 27th, the post office recommends applying for an absentee ballot today. The earlier you request your ballot, the better. Request one here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A 14-year-old girl from Texas won a $25,000 prize for a discovery that offers promise in the development of potential therapies for COVID-19. Anika Chebrolu from Frisco, Texas, won this year's 3M Young Scientist Challenge for an invention that uses in-silico methodology to discover a lead molecule that can selectively bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the formal name of Coronavirus). Initially, Anika intended her project to identify a lead compound that could bind to a protein of the influenza virus, but when the pandemic hit, she switched gears to target Coronavirus instead. Congratulations Anika."
Types of COVID-19 Vaccines
An overview of key concepts related to Covid-19 vaccines, intended for members of the general public, policy makers, educators, and key stakeholders.
Vaccines FAQ
These FAQs provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 Contact Tracing: A course from Johns Hopkins
The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need for contact tracing across the country, requiring thousands of people to learn key skills quickly. The job qualifications for contact tracing positions differ throughout the country and the world, with some new positions open to individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent.
• 972,144 COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 12,149 tests
"New York's numbers remain steady, despite the handful of clusters we are currently focused on. We are addressing these clusters through our targeted approach to ensure that they don't become community spread. As we go through the fall and into winter and cases continue to rise across the country, it's going to take the work of all New Yorkers to maintain our progress. We cannot and will not risk going backwards to where we were in the spring. Our progress is thanks to New Yorkers, who rose to the occasion and came together like no other community. But we have to keep it up — we must all keep washing our hands, wearing our masks and remaining socially distant. This is about caring for one another and being New York Tough, which means being loving.
Image of the Day: There are three ways to vote in New York this year. Do you have your voting plan?
1. The positivity rate in "Red Zone" focus areas was flat yesterday at 4.84 percent. The statewide positivity rate excluding the focus areas was 1.14 percent. There were 918 total hospitalizations. Of the 132,106 tests reported yesterday, 1,707, or 1.25 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 10 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Remember that New Yorkers can request an absentee ballot online now. If you have concerns about COVID, you may request an online ballot now — don't wait until the last minute. New Yorkers have several options to vote in this year's election: Early voting, absentee voting and in-person voting on Election Day. Learn more.
3. The test positivity rate remains below 2 percent in every region of the state. In New York City, the positivity rate yesterday was 1.2 percent. In Long Island, it was 1.1 percent. In the Capital Region, 0.7 percent. In Central New York, 1.2 percent. In the Finger Lakes, 1.5 percent. In the Mid-Hudson Region, 1.8 percent. In Mohawk Valley, 0.3 percent. In the North Country, 0.5 percent. And finally, in the Southern Tier, it was 1.6 percent. You can check updated data for your region anytime online.
4. Westchester's Winter Wonderland Holiday celebration will be held as a drive-thru event this year. For the seventh annual celebration, organizers have arranged a 1.2 mile drive-thru route for families to safely drive through. The planned route will feature lights, holiday decorations and even holiday music. The celebration will begin November 27th and run until October 3rd.
5. We are taking action to reduce food insecurity among community college students, older adults and disabled New Yorkers. Food insecurity has increased due to COVID, and New York is responding. Today's actions expand eligibility for SNAP (food stamps) to up to nearly 75,000 low-income college students enrolled in career or technical education course work. Food insecurity affects a wide breadth of low-income New Yorkers and we have an obligation to help in their time of need."
• 959,995 COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 9,276 tests
"As we deal with COVID, it's important that we plan intelligently for the future. One major area that requires extensive preparation is around potential vaccines. We all hope that a vaccine comes sooner rather than later — but when it does, distribution will be very complicated. Today I sent a letter with National Governors Association Vice Chair Asa Hutchinson to President Trump asking him to discuss the role states will play in vaccine distribution. As governors, we will assist — but we need to know the plan. Many questions remain, including on the delineation of federal and state responsibilities, funding, supply chain management and the vaccine allocation process. We hope to have a productive conversation with the White House on these issues.
Photo of the Day: In I Love NY's latest Fall Foliage Report, most of the state is past peak but there's still time to catch some fall foliage.
1. The State will send 200,000 rapid test kits to New York City schools in "Yellow Zones." This builds on an earlier initiative deploying rapid test kits to every county throughout the state. The tests will also be made available on an as needed basis to help schools in "Yellow Zones" test students and staff as required of the Cluster Action Initiative.
2. COVID can have frightening long-term effects, which include damage to the heart and inflammation. According to State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, there is still a lot that we don't know about long-term effects, including the experiences of "long-haulers" reported recently in the New York Times. The more we learn about the virus, the more we'll understand these effects. Dr. Zucker advises physicians to be alert to potential effects that patients may have and to take patients' concerns seriously. Additional research and longitudinal studies are needed.
3. Yesterday, New York reported over 130,000 diagnostic tests. There were 897 total hospitalizations. Of the 133,212 tests reported yesterday, 1,460, or 1.09 percent, were positive. The test positivity rate in the "Red Zone" focus areas was 4.84 percent, while the statewide positivity rate excluding these areas was 0.99 percent. Sadly, we lost 13 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. Troy's annual Turkey Trot will be held virtually. Instead of hosting an in-person event, this year's Thanksgiving race will use an app that allows participants to race with others in real-time without putting their health at risk.
5. Today, New York launched new Domestic Violence Regional Councils that will help transform and modernize delivery of services for victims, survivors and their families. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and throughout the pandemic we have seen an alarming rise in domestic violence cases. These 10 new councils will engage with local experts to help domestic violence survivors and their families. And an important reminder that you aren't trapped because of COVID. If there is an issue where you face imminent harm, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you need help, you can call the State's Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906, or text 844-997-2121.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": While Broadway and Off-Broadway performances are cancelled for the rest of the year, cast members of the Off-Broadway show "Emojiland" virtually came together to perform a quarantine music video of the show's original songs, "Stand For." In their virtual performance, the cast is joined by hundreds of young musicians, including students from Honeoye Falls-Lima High School."
• 9 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an decrease of 1 in 24 hours
"The state continues to take action to address the micro-clusters where positivity rates are far higher that the statewide average. Enforcement by local governments of public health laws — including the new measures to contain these micro-clusters — has been uneven at best. So today we are sending a notification to local governments that they must enforce public health law under Section 16 in the designated cluster zones, or else they will lose state funding. Separately, we sent a letter telling public and private schools in cluster zones that if they fail to comply with state regulations, they will also lose state funding.
It is no longer a question of public awareness. The public is aware. The question is now one of enforcement. And we know from experience that the consequences of failing to enforce these health regulations are dire. We must keep these hotspot areas contained in order to protect our state's progress and prevent further spread. We've come too far, and New Yorkers have made too many sacrifices, to allow this uptick in these hotspots to turn into a full-on outbreak. We will not allow other New Yorkers to be put at risk because of a lack of compliance.
Photo of the Day: Over the weekend, the Cliffside Coaster, the longest mountain coaster in the country, opened at the Lake Placid Olympic Site.
1. The statewide infection rate is just over one percent. Yesterday, there were 938 hospitalizations. Of the 111,744 tests reported yesterday, 1,232, or 1.1 percent, were positive. The test positivity rate in the "Red Zone" focus areas is 6.29 percent, while the statewide positivity rate excluding these areas is 0.95 percent. Sadly, we lost seven New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Due to the pandemic, New York State is experiencing a severe shortage of blood and donations are needed. Giving blood is safe and blood donation centers have implemented precautions to minimize density and ensure the safety of donors and staff, including requiring donors to make an appointment. Learn more here.
3. A single bar is the source of much of the recent surge in Broome County, contact tracers have determined. The county had 69 new positive cases yesterday. Parts of the county, including areas in Binghamton and Endicott, are in a "yellow zone" requiring precautionary measures that include 50 percent maximum capacity in houses of worship, a maximum of 25 people for non-essential gatherings and mandatory weekly testing at schools of both students and personnel.
4. The deadline to respond to the Census is this Friday, October 16th at 6 A.M. New York's future is in your hands and your response matters now more than ever. If you haven't yet, complete the Census now — it only takes 10 minutes — and please encourage your friends and family to complete their Census form too.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": To show appreciation for disabled service members, Long Island non-profit Paws of War held their first "Veteran Appreciation Grooming Day." Volunteers visited veterans with service dogs to give their canine companions baths, trim the dogs' nails and provide other grooming services — all completely free. Paws of War groomed 12 dogs at their first event and hopes to schedule another Veteran Appreciation Grooming Day soon to help more disabled veterans and their service animals."
"New York's state COVID numbers remain steady overall, but we are continuing to closely monitor and respond to elevated positivity rates in what we are calling "Red Zone" focus areas — which include areas in Brooklyn, Queens, Rockland County and Orange County. The test positivity rate yesterday rate in the "Red Zone" focus areas was 4.13 percent, while the statewide positivity rate excluding the "Red Zones" was 1.2 percent. Additionally, cluster areas have accounted for approximately 70 percent of the increase we have seen in daily hospital admissions between early September and today.
We are taking strong action to respond to these outbreaks and to stop the spread. But it's up to all of us to collectively work together to stop the spread and that's going to take every New Yorker wearing their masks, socially distancing and being New York Tough to maintain our progress.
Photo of the Day: Yesterday, I unveiled the new statue of Mother Cabrini at Battery City Park in New York City. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who is known as the patron saint of immigrants, was an Italian-American missionary who came to America in the nineteenth century and built orphanages, schools and hospitals to serve the sick and poor.
1. Ohio, Michigan and Virginia have been added to New York's COVID Travel Advisory. The three states join 35 other states and territories reported yesterday from which travelers arriving to New York must self-quarantine for 14 days. See the full list here.
2. Nearly 100,000 tests were reported yesterday. Yesterday, there were 923 total hospitalizations. Of the 99,070 tests reported yesterday, 1,393, or 1.4 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 11 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. SUNY just launched a grant program for personal protective equipment inventors. The SUNY Prepare Innovation and Internship Program will provide $10,000 for students and faculty who want to develop innovative alternatives to the PPE our frontline workers need as we continue the fight against COVID-19. Applications are open to students and faculty at all SUNY state operated and Community College campuses, and SUNY is accepting applications through November 15th and the first grant will be awarded December 15th.
4. I signed two bills to help support New York's farms. The pandemic has affected many industries throughout the state, including agriculture, and these two new bills will help farmers — the first by ensuring that farmers do not lose out on their agricultural property tax assessments due to lowered sales and the second by helping to promote the sale of New York-grown products this holiday season. Learn more.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": During the pandemic, restaurant owner Joe Scaravella closed his Staten Island Italian restaurant and wine bar, Enoteca Maria, to safeguard the health of his staff, including his chefs, who as senior citizens are more vulnerable to the virus. His chefs are unique: They're all grandmothers, or "nonnas." Now the chefs, who are not only of Italian heritage but from across the globe, are back in the kitchen part-time making and selling "Nonnas of the World" sauce. The product is sold online and in-person and is helping keep Enoteca Maria afloat while protecting the beloved nonnas from potential virus exposure."
October 9th at 6:30pm
"From day one, testing has been among the most vital tools we have to accurately assess — and slow — COVID-19's spread in New York. Today, we are building on our nation-leading testing program by deploying an initial 400,000 rapid result test kits in every corner of the state. These rapid test kits — that take 15 minutes to get a result and do not require sending a specimen to a lab — will be available to every county in New York State, including to local health departments, hospitals, pharmacies and other health care providers.
The rapid tests can be used to control new outbreaks, conduct surveillance testing and help schools in "yellow zones" test students and staff, one of the new requirements of the Cluster Action Initiative to monitor COVID-19 spread. These rapid test kids will assist health care institutions throughout the state to quickly spot outbreaks and keep families and communities safe. Rapid testing is one tool in our battle with this virus. As always it must be used in combination with mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing. Together, using all tools, we can stop the spread.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: The Coronavirus newsletter will not publish on Monday, October 12. We will resume our normal schedule on Tuesday, October 13. In the meantime, stay up to date on Twitter.
Photo of the Day: Our friends in Connecticut have the right idea.
1. We are carefully watching the total COVID hospitalizations. Yesterday, there were 779 total hospitalizations. Of the 139,300 tests reported yesterday, 1,526, or 1.14 percent, were positive. The average positivity rate in the 20 hot spot ZIP codes in Brooklyn, Queens, Rockland and Orange Counties was 5.4 percent. The statewide positivity rate, excluding these ZIPs, was 0.90 percent. Sadly, we lost six New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Search to see if you live or work in a Cluster Action Initiative Zone. As part of our Cluster Action Initiative, there are new restrictions in six clusters in the State, which allow us to stop the spread from these clusters and protect our progress in the fight against COVID-19. Look up your address to see if you live or work in a COVID-19 Hot Spot Zone where there are new restrictions. Maps of the six cluster zones can be found here.
3. Ads from the "Mask Up America" campaign have been seen 38 million times. The national campaign, with videos featuring the voices of Paul Rudd, Billy Crystal, Ellen Pompeo, Anthony Mackie and more, have aired on TVs across the country more than 115,000 times. Watch the entire PSA campaign here.
4. The deadline to register to vote is midnight tonight, October 9. If you're not sure you are registered, you can look it up here. If you already registered, take a moment to make sure any younger relatives or friends are aware of the deadline. New Yorkers can register online here if they have a valid form of NYS-issued ID, or by mailing a voter registration form to their local Board of Elections. Learn more.
5. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. You aren't trapped because of COVID. If there is an issue where you face imminent harm, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you need help, you can call the State's Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906, or text 844-997-2121.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Earlier this week, U.S. Navy veteran Theresa Smith Reilly of Long Island celebrated her 99th birthday. To wish her a happy birthday, Theresa's granddaughter Maura put out a request on Facebook asking people to send her grandmother birthday cards. Maura's goal was to receive 99 cards; instead, she received 550, from across the U.S. and as far away as England, Ethiopia and Australia. Happy birthday, Theresa. "
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 9th, 2020
Hospitalization as of October 9th at 4:30pm
"Yesterday 145,000 tests were reported to the state — a record high number. We're focusing our testing efforts in two areas — statewide and then we are doing additional testing in hot spot ZIP codes. The positivity rate in the hot spot ZIP codes is 5.8 percent, while the statewide positivity rate, excluding these ZIPs, is 1.01 percent. Our robust testing efforts allow us to narrow hot spot areas down to the range of a block. As part of our Cluster Action Initiative, there are new restrictions in six clusters in the State, which allows us to stop the spread from these clusters and protect our progress in the fight against COVID-19. Look up your address to see if you live in a COVID-19 Hot Spot Zone and take precautions as always.
Photo of the Day: Ads for the COVID Alert NY app displayed in Times Square. If you haven't downloaded COVID Alert NY yet, download it here.
1. Tomorrow, October 9th, is the last day New Yorkers can register to vote for the 2020 Election. I encourage all New Yorkers to register to vote for this year's upcoming election. You must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the State and the county, city or village in which you are registering for at least 30 days before the election; and be at least 18 years old on or by November 3. Learn how you can register to vote here or check to make sure you are registered here.
2. This year, "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" will be held virtually. UNICEF's iconic trick-or-treating collection box has been a cherished part of Halloween festivities for 70 years. This year, parents and teachers can participate in UNICEF's event through a virtual collection box. Children around the U.S. can enjoy Halloween-themed events and earn virtual coins that add up to real-life earnings, which can be donated to wherever kids would like to see them, allowing kids to see for themselves the positive impact they're having on children around the world. Learn more here.
3. We are carefully watching New York's total COVID hospitalizations. Yesterday, there were 754 total hospitalizations. Of the 145,811 tests reported yesterday, 1,836, or 1.26 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 10 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. It's New York's Annual Organ Donor Enrollment Day. Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused declines in organ donations. With so many people awaiting lifesaving organ transplants, I encourage New Yorkers to become organ donors and join the NYS Donate Life Registry.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": New York has some of the best food on the planet — whether it's $1 slice pizza, Buffalo wings, or Michelin-starred restaurants. But according to marine biologists, New York is also becoming a food destination for young humpback whales. According to Gotham Whale, a NY-based whale research organization, young humpback whales appear to be coming to New York to chow down on Atlantic menhaden — one of the most important fish in the sea. Researchers believe that cleaner waters and increased conservation efforts have led to an increase in the fish population and hungry whales are following."
"We've seen time and time again throughout this pandemic that mass gatherings can spread this virus and result in clusters which can in turn become community outbreaks. While New York's numbers remain low across the most of the state, the positivity rate in "hot spot" ZIP codes was 5.1 percent yesterday — five times the rate in the rest of the state. We are moving quickly to stop further spread. Yesterday, we announced restrictions that will be enforced in these hot spot ZIP codes for a minimum of 14-days.
We know that some of these restrictions will be unpopular and difficult for many people. Still, these actions are far less restrictive than implementing a full shutdown, as some foreign countries and states have had to do following a resurgence of the virus. Remember too, that there are lives at stake. We went through hell in March and April — I remember the horrors of that period all too well — and we will not go back. We are prepared to take all necessary steps to stop the spread and save lives.
Photo of the Day: I Love NY's Fall Foliage Report shows that leaves are starting to change in New York City and Long Island, while the most of the rest of the state is near, at, or past peak.
1. See the Cluster Action Initiative maps. Yesterday, we announced the implementation of Red, Orange and/or Yellow Zones in and around clusters in Broome County, Brooklyn, Orange County, Queens/Far Rockaway, Upper Queens and Rockland County. Click each county name to see the map for that cluster.
In Red Zones, mass gatherings are prohibited, only essential businesses are open, schools are remote-only and houses of worship are limited to 25 percent capacity (up to 10 people maximum). In Orange Zones, mass gatherings are limited to ten people (indoor and outdoor), high-risk non-essential businesses are closed, schools are remote-only and houses of worship are at 33 percent capacity (up to 25 people maximum). In Yellow Zones, mass gatherings are limited to 25 people (indoor and outdoor), schools are open with increased testing, businesses are open and houses of worship are limited to 50 percent capacity. Read more here.
2. We are carefully watching New York's total COVID hospitalizations. Yesterday, there were 748 total hospitalizations. Of the 108,246 tests reported yesterday, 1,360, or 1.25 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost eight New Yorkers to the virus.
3. Congratulations to Dr. Charles Rice of New York-based Rockefeller University on winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Dr. Rice, who won the Nobel Prize along with two colleagues for their discovery of the hepatitis C virus, will serve as one of the co-chairs of NY's independent Clinical Advisory Task Force advising the state on future COVID vaccines. We're lucky to have his advice and expertise.
4. A reminder to New Yorkers to get a flu shot. While we continue battling COVID, flu season is fast-approaching. This year it is especially important that New Yorkers get their flu shot. Find a flu vaccination site near you.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Over the weekend, the Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, NY held the 25th annual World Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Sixteen gigantic pumpkins were brought to the farm to compete. The winning pumpkin, grown by Andy Wolf of Little Valley, weighed in at an impressive 1,982 pounds."
• 1 new admission
"Today, New York is taking further action to protect our state's progress and aggressively respond to clusters emerging in specific areas of the state.
In consultation with national public health experts including former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden, Dr. Noam Ross of the EcoHealth Alliance and Dr. Michael Olsterhold of the University of Minnesota, today we announced the new Cluster Action Initiative to attack these clusters head-on with surgical precision to stop the spread. This action maps the clusters by density of cases.
The initiative consists of three steps: Take strong action within the cluster; take action in the area surrounding the cluster to stop the spread; and then take precautionary action in the outlying communities. The clusters and outlying areas are separated into red, orange and yellow colored zones with corresponding levels of restrictions as shown in the table below. (See the color-coded maps for the six clusters here: Broome County, Brooklyn, Orange County, Upper Queens, Queens/Far Rockaway and Rockland County)
The new restrictions will go into effect by Friday and will remain in place for a minimum of 14 days, after which we will reevaluate.
Chart of the Day: Areas in and surrounding clusters are separated into three categories with corresponding levels of restrictions.
1. We continue to closely monitor New York's infection rate. Yesterday, there were 705 total hospitalizations. Of the 96,359 tests reported yesterday, 1,393, or 1.45 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost nine New Yorkers to the virus.
2. New Mexico has been added to the State's COVID-19 Travel Advisory. No states or territories have been removed. See the full list here.
3. Vehicle inspection and registration expiration dates have been extended until November 3rd. Yesterday, I signed an Executive Order that extends the expiration dates of annual vehicle checks, registrations and driver's licenses that would have lapsed during the pandemic.
4. Fines for sponsors of illicit mass gatherings will be increased to $15,000. We know that large gatherings are one of the primary ways that the virus spreads. It is up to local governments to enforce compliance. Fines have been increased to reflect the danger these gatherings pose.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Niagara's iconic Maid of the Mist, which has ferried tourists through the mighty falls for over 150 years, introduced its new fleet of all-electric, zero-emission vessels today. This agreement between the New York Power Authority, New York State Parks and the Maid of the Mist Corporation aligns with New York's nation-leading goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050. Through innovation we are building back better for a greener tomorrow."
• 26 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 1in 24 hours
"It is critically important that we tackle the several clusters of the virus in the state where the positivity rate is elevated. To that end, schools in New York City — public and private — will temporarily close in-person learning starting tomorrow in hotspot ZIP codes identified by New York City. We need more data on the threat COVID-19 poses in these schools and we will review the data in affected ZIP codes and determine a path to reopening.
It is imperative that we stamp out each cluster of COVID so that they do not spread and jeopardize the progress our state made in combatting this virus. I remind all New Yorkers, no matter where they live, to follow all health guidelines and orders. Wear a mask, get tested and stay home if you have symptoms or have had close contact with someone who tested positive. Let's all look out for one another.
Photo of the Day: A sign in NYC reminds us that we are New York Tough (Photo by Ali Wente)
1. To date, New York has conducted 11 million tests. We continue to lead the nation in testing and remember, any New Yorker who wants a COVID test can get tested. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you.
2. We are closely monitoring New York's infection rate. Yesterday, there were 636 total hospitalizations. Of the 76,404 tests reported yesterday, 933, or 1.22 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost eight New Yorkers to the virus.
3. This Friday, October 9th, is the last day New Yorkers can register to vote in the 2020 Election. I encourage all New Yorkers to register to vote for this year's upcoming election. To register, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the State and the county, city or village in which you are registering for at least 30 days before the election; and be at least 18 years old on or by November 3rd. Learn the ways you can register to vote here or check to make sure you are registered here.
4. The Nourish NY program has spent over $17 million to connect New York farms with families in need. So far, the initiative has ensured that 20.1 million pounds of dairy products have been distributed by food banks, along with approximately 6.1 million pounds of produce. Over 738,000 households have received products sourced from 4,140 farms through this initiative, which is helping keep businesses and families afloat.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Beatrice Lumpkin, a 102-year old former teacher in Chicago, didn't let the pandemic stop her from casting her vote this election. Born before women could vote, Bea dropped off her mail-in ballot last week in a full pink and white hazmat suit while surrounded by fellow Chicago Teachers Union members. If Bea can vote, so can you.
• 7 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),an increase of 3 in 24 hours
• 4 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),an decrease of 2 in 24 hours
• 4 discharges
October 3rd at 8:45pm
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 3rd, 2020
• 851,599 COVID-19 tests have been administered in total, an addition of 10,195 tests in the past 24 hours
• 269,339 in total were tested for antibodies
Hospitalization as of October 3rd at 4:30pm
October 2nd at 8:45pm
"My thoughts are with President Trump and the First Lady, and I wish them both a full and speedy recovery.
This news is a reminder that COVID is a vicious virus that spreads easily.
I urge every New Yorker to be smart. Wear a mask. Keep social distancing. Each of us must take great care to protect one another.
Image of the Day: Download the COVID Alert NY app today
1. The Commissioner of Health will issue a Section 16 order to local governments in hotspot areas setting specific consequences for failure to enforce State regulations related to social distancing, mask compliance, and capacity limitations. We need local governments to enforce health regulations to stop the spread of COVID-19 in clusters — it is their duty and legal obligation. This new order establishes a framework for reporting their enforcement activities and sets consequences for failure to enforce the emergency regulations. Failure to comply by localities can result in penalties up to $10,000 per day.
2. We are closely monitoring New York's infection rate. Yesterday, there were 648 total hospitalizations. Of the 119,493 tests reported yesterday, 1,598, or 1.34 percent, were positive. 429 of these positives were from the 20 'hotspot' ZIP codes. Sadly, we lost seven New Yorkers to the virus.
3. Download the COVID Alert NY app today. Yesterday, New York launched a new Exposure Notification App so New Yorkers can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and receive exposure alert notifications without compromising privacy or personal information. Click here to download it directly to your iPhone. Click here to download it directly to your Android device.
4. 27 percent of all positive cases yesterday were only from 20 hotspot ZIP codes. The Department of Health will have people on the ground in the hotspot ZIP codes today, including in Orange County, Rockland County, New York City and a small area in Nassau County.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Canandaigua resident Dennis Money is a nature fanatic, and has set up six cameras on his 131-acre farm to capture videos and photos of New York wildlife. Dennis has been filming for over 12 years and recently shared new footage of deer, coyotes, raccoons and even a fisher passing through his farm.
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 2nd, 2020
Hospitalization as of October 2nd at 4:30pm
October 1st at 7:45pm
"Contact tracing has been instrumental in stopping the COVID spread, and we have worked hard over these past months to establish a nation-leading testing and tracing program. Today, we are building on that effort with an additional innovative technology-based tool — COVID Alert NY — our official Exposure Notification App created by the New York State Department of Health in partnership with Google and Apple. With COVID Alert NY, you can use your phone to receive alert notifications if you have been exposed without compromising your privacy or personal information.
The app will never track your location and is completely anonymous. Using Bluetooth technology, it can detect proximity to another phone with COVID Alert NY downloaded. The State Department of Health cannot identify who downloads the app, and does not collect your name, phone number or other personal information.
As we continue to battle the virus, this app offers another way to protect yourself and your community. The more New Yorkers who download the app, the more effective it is. Get the app today and help stop the spread while maintaining your privacy. Click here to download it directly to your iPhone. Click here to download it directly to your Android device.
Photo of the Day: Last night, bridges and landmarks across the state were illuminated in purple and teal in recognition of the last day of Suicide Prevention Month.
1. We are closely monitoring New York's infection rate. Yesterday, there were 612 total hospitalizations. Of the 109,218 tests reported yesterday, 1,382, or 1.27 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 11 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. 26 percent of all positive cases yesterday were only from 20 hotspot ZIP codes. The hotspot ZIP codes are in Orange County (10950), Rockland County (10952, 10977, 10956), Brooklyn (11223, 11230, 11210, 11,219, 11204, 11229, 11235, 11218, 11234), Queens (11367, 11374, 11691), Westchester County (10573), the Bronx (10468), Nassau County (11590), and Staten Island (10305). If you live in one of these ZIP codes, please take this seriously and get tested.
3. New York launched "Empire State Digital" to help small businesses compete in the digital economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive to so many small businesses. This new initiative accelerates NY small businesses' ability to grow their online presence through a first-in-the-nation program with leading global e-commerce enablers, including Shopify, Square, Clearbanc, and Etsy and will help them compete with larger online retailers.
4. Remember that New Yorkers can request an absentee ballot online now. This year, New Yorkers have several options to vote in the November election: Early voting, absentee voting and in-person voting on Election Day. If you have concerns about COVID, you may request an absentee ballot now. Learn more.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Autumn is in full swing, as shown in I Love NY's latest fall foliage report. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the iconic scenery throughout the state while you can. Enjoy the season safely.
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through October 1st, 2020
Hospitalization as of October 1st at 4:30pm
September 30th at 7:45pm
"We continue to aggressively track clusters with a particular focus on the 20 ZIP codes with the highest infection rates. Within these 20 "hotspot" ZIP codes, the average infection rate is 5.5 percent. The rate of infection for the rest of New York State, excluding those 20 ZIP codes, is 0.82 percent. While these 20 ZIP codes accounted for almost a quarter of yesterday's positive cases, they represent only 6 percent of the state's population.
Areas with high positivity rates now have access to rapid testing machines that the State has made available. If you live or work in one of the following ZIP codes please get a test:
Rockland County (10952, 10977), Brooklyn (11230, 11204, 11219, 11223, 11229, 11210, 11234), the Bronx (10465, 10462), Manhattan (10040), Queens (11374), Staten Island (10306, 10304), Suffolk County (11717, 11746) and Nassau County (11580).
Table of the Day: If you live or work in one of these ZIP codes please get a test.
1. New York's COVID positive test rate is hovering at just over one percent. Yesterday, there were 605 total hospitalizations. Of the 97,960 tests reported yesterday, 1,000, or 1.02 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost nine New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Cost should not be a barrier for essential workers to access mental health services. The State Department of Financial Services is extending its emergency regulation requiring NY health insurers to waive out-of-pocket costs, including cost-sharing, deductibles, copays and coinsurance, for in-network mental health services for New York's frontline essential workers until November 27.
3. The state is working with Orthodox Jewish community leaders to develop an action plan encouraging community members to follow Coronavirus guidelines. I had a productive meeting with leaders of the community today to discuss how we can all work together to contain the spread of COVID that we're starting to see in some religious communities across the state. We will develop an action plan to protect the health and safety of these New Yorkers.
4. The State has issued updated guidance for taxis, for-hire vehicles and other transportation services. Drivers are encouraged to transport passengers with the windows down to increase ventilation, and to implement physical barriers between rider and driver, in addition to the mandatory mask wearing requirement for both drivers and passengers. See the updated guidance here.
5. National Governors Association Vice Chair Asa Hutchinson and I called on Congress to prioritize state and local aid. The pandemic is a national problem, affecting all states, and it demands a bipartisan and national solution. Read our joint statement.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": When the pandemic hit New York City, many food truck vendors put their businesses on hold — but they did not stop cooking. To help combat food insecurity in New York City, the Urban Justice Center's Street Vendor Project has worked with food truck vendors and found a way to keep the grills on. Food truck vendors have since whipped up 6,500 meals that have been distributed throughout Brooklyn and the Bronx. The program, which ends on Friday, has helped many immigrant-run businesses stay afloat while providing many tasty meals to New Yorkers in need."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 30th, 2020
Hospitalization as of September 30th at 4:30pm
• 5 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),a decrease of 2 in 24 hours
"New York has seen an uptick in the infection rate over the last few days that is being driven by several COVID clusters. Positive cases from "hotspot" ZIP codes are 5 times the statewide rate.
The affected areas are in Brooklyn, Queens, Orange and Rockland Counties. We will react swiftly to each cluster to stop the spread. I am talking with community leaders and deploying resources.
To that end, two hundred rapid result testing machines are available to high rate localities for deployment. We will aggressively manage these developing clusters through enforcement and intervention. Local governments must enforce compliance, because a cluster today can be community spread tomorrow. I ask all New Yorkers to do your part: Wear a mask, get tested, wash your hands often, and don't attend large gatherings. Wearing a mask is not a choice - it's the law.
Chart of the Day: The COVID positivity rate in various regions of the state, as of yesterday.
1. The COVID eviction moratorium has been extended until October 1, 2021. Residential tenants are protected from eviction if they are suffering from financial hardship due to the COVID-19 public health emergency under the Tenant Safe Harbor Act. Previous Executive Orders also prohibit charges or fees for late payments for tenants facing financial hardship. No New Yorker should be forced from his or her home as a result of COVID.
2. Colorado has been added to the State's COVID-19 Travel Advisory. Arizona and Virginia have been removed from the list and visitors from these two states no longer need to self-quarantine upon arriving in New York. See the full list here.
3. The COVID positive test rate was 1.35 percent. Yesterday, there were 571 total hospitalizations. Of the 88,231 tests reported yesterday, 1,189 were positive. Sadly, we lost two New Yorkers to the virus.
4. International travelers arriving in New York must self-quarantine. Travelers arriving in New York from Level 2 and Level 3 countries must complete a 14-day quarantine and fill out the NYS Department of Health traveler health form. The order applies to almost all foreign nations, and will aid in the state's robust contact tracing efforts and further prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn more here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Jasper, a 4-year-old dachshund from Connecticut, became a hero over the weekend after saving his neighbors from a house fire. Jasper began barking persistently at 3:30 in the morning on Sunday, alerting his owners, the Houser family, that their next-door-neighbors' porch was on fire. Thanks to Jasper, the Housers were able to call 9-1-1 and save the family next door from any injuries. "
• 29 individuals were hospitalized, ), a decrease of 2 in 24 hours
• 31 individuals were hospitalized, ), an decrease of 1 in 24 hours
• 32 individuals were hospitalized, ), an increase of 5 since yesterday.
• 6 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of 1 since yesterday.
September 25th at 10:00pm
"This Sunday night at sundown, members of the Jewish community begin to observe Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. Even though this holiday will look different amid the pandemic, it is my hope that on this day of atonement and reflection, all New Yorkers observing will have a meaningful day and an easy fast. Please observe the holiday safely.
Photo of the Day: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman, and the first Jewish American, to lie in state at the US Capitol. A daughter of Brooklyn, her legacy will inspire generations of New Yorkers to come (Photo by Shawn Thew/Getty Images)
1. The positive infection rate is below one percent. Yesterday, there were 511 total hospitalizations. Of the 94,818 tests reported yesterday, 908, or 0.95 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost seven New Yorkers to the virus.
2. On Wednesday, September 30th, restaurants in New York City can reopen for indoor dining starting at 25 percent. All restaurants that choose to reopen must adhere to strict safety protocols, including increased ventilation and air filtration standards, temperature checks and face coverings when not seated, among other safety protocols. Read more about NYC's indoor dining reopening here.
3. SUNY is expanding its free diagnostic tests. Developed by SUNY Upstate Medical University, all SUNY campuses will now administer the FDA-approved saliva swab COVID test to all students, commuters and faculty at SUNY state-operated colleges, universities and hospitals. These free tests, with results in 48 hours, will help the colleges better monitor the infection rate and keep both students and staff safe.
4. Ads from the "Mask Up America" campaign have been seen 30 million times. The national campaign, with videos featuring the voices of Paul Rudd, Billy Crystal, Morgan Freeman, Ellen Pompeo and more, have aired more than 90,000 times on TVs across the country and reached millions. Watch all the ads here.
5. Tomorrow, September 26, is Free Fishing Day in New York. The requirement for a fishing license is waived but all other fishing regulations still apply. And remember to follow all public health guidelines when fishing.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Hiking duo Katie Rhodes and Bethany Garretson became the first women to complete an unsupported thru-hike of all 46 Adirondack High Peaks. The two New Yorkers started the Adirondack 46 on September 10th and completed the hike in seven days, four hours and 50 minutes."
• 27 individuals were hospitalized, a decrease of 2 since yesterday.
• 5 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a decrease of 2 since yesterday.
"Unfortunately, as we've seen during the pandemic, public health issues can become politicized. We want to avoid that with any future COVID-19 vaccine. To that end, New York is establishing two task forces to help advise the clinical safety of future vaccines as well as on how best to distribute and implement them.
The first task force will consist of an independent group of leading scientists, doctors and health experts charged with the mission of reviewing any vaccine authorized by the federal government for distribution and to advise the State on its safety and effectiveness. The second task force will be charged with drafting a plan to best administer an approved COVID-19 vaccine to New York State, including the work of developing clinical guidance as to who should be prioritized to receive the vaccine.
Administering vaccines to almost 20 million New Yorkers is a massive undertaking. Our goal is to have the smartest and safest vaccination program possible. Planning ahead helps meet that goal.
Chart of the Day: COVID cases are spiking in many parts of the country. Cases in New York remain low but the situation around the nation shows we must remain vigilant.
1. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 500 total hospitalizations. Of the 92,953 tests reported yesterday, 955, or 1.02 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost two New Yorkers to the virus.
2. New Yorkers who are currently unemployed can apply to be a paid poll worker without losing their unemployment benefits. Poll workers are vital in ensuring that Election Day runs smoothly and I signed an Executive Order that allows New Yorkers who currently collect unemployment benefits to sign up for temporary work on November 3rd. Sign up to become a poll worker.
3. The State launched the "COVID-19 Report Card" dashboard to give parents and teachers confidence in schools reopening. The data available online will include: Number of positive infections of students and staff by school and school district; number of students and staff on-site; and percentage of on-site students & staff who test positive. The dashboard is available here.
4. Mental health resources are still available to New Yorkers who need it. We do not underestimate the impact this pandemic is having on mental health. New Yorkers can call the State's hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to get free emotional support, consultations and referrals to a provider. Free meditation and mindfulness resources are additionally available at headspace.com/ny.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": In Upper Freehold Township, New Jersey, retirement center Marty's Place is helping senior dogs enjoy their golden years. The nonprofit center accommodates dogs ranging from age 7 years and up — and takes in dogs whose previous owners can no longer care for them. Some of these dogs are available for adoption and the organization hopes to change the perceptions of having an older dog. All the dogs at Marty's Place are very good dogs."
• 29 individuals were hospitalized, ), no change since yesterday.
September 23rd at 8:00pm
"Today, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the individual saliva swab diagnostic test for COVID-19 developed by SUNY Upstate Medical University and Quadrant Biosciences for emergency use. The saliva swab test has been used to conduct testing at all SUNY campuses and this approval allows us to expand the use of the tests statewide. The test will be used as a part of the innovative "pool testing" process, which allows for 10 to 25 samples to be tested for COVID at once. If the entire pool is negative, then all samples are cleared, and if the pool is positive, the samples that make up the batch are individually tested. Pool testing helps labs test more samples more quickly and efficiently.
From the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, it's been clear that testing is one of the most critical tools we have to slow the spread. The more tests performed, the more accurate the infection rate becomes. This saliva swab test is the latest example of New York's relentless focus on testing. At the beginning of the pandemic, we were the first state to receive FDA approval for our COVID-19 test. We will continue to expand testing in every way possible.
Photo of the Day: The latest fall foliage report from I Love NY
1. The positive infection rate remains under one percent. Yesterday, there were 490 total hospitalizations. Of the 70,930 tests reported yesterday, 665, or 0.94 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost five New Yorkers to the virus.
2. The CDC has released new guidelines and an interactive map to help families prepare for Halloween. Now that it is officially fall, Halloween is coming up soon. To help families prepare, the CDC issued new guidance and a color-coded map to help families plan safe activities. And as we draw closer to Halloween, I will give New Yorkers my advice and provide guidance so everyone can make a decision for themselves on whether or not trick-or-treating is something they want to do this year.
3. The Nourish NY program has spent over $15 million to connect New York farms with families in need. So far, the initiative has redirected 19.6 million pounds of dairy products to food banks, as well as approximately 5.9 million pounds of produce. Over 680,000 households have received food sourced from 4,140 farms, which is helping keep businesses and families afloat.
4. The 2020 New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square will be held virtually. The owner of One Times Square has designed the famous Times Square space virtually and built a broadcast app so that everyone, regardless of where they are, can enjoy the iconic ball drop safely. In previous years, as many as one million people have gathered in the Times Square area to celebrate the new year.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Heart of Dinner is helping end hunger and isolation for Asian-American seniors in New York City by providing culturally sensitive meals paired with thoughtful handwritten notes. With the support of their community of restaurant partners, in-kind donors, volunteer care package delivery drivers, volunteer note-writers and brown bag illustrators, Heart of Dinner founders Yin Chang and Moonlynn Tsai, who own Manhattan's Kopitiam coffee shop, surpassed the first milestone of a 20,000 meal goal and are now working towards their next goal of providing 50,000 collective meals to Asian-American communities throughout Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. "
JHU: Have states flattened the curve?
STAT: Charting the coronavirus pandemic over the next 12 months — and beyond.
Bloomberg: Avoiding a large COVID-19 second wave is possible.
The Washington Post: Scientists want to predict COVID-19's long-term trajectory. Here's why they can't.
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 23rd, 2020
Hospitalization as of September 23rd at 4:30pm
• 29 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 3 since yesterday.
• 9 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), no change since yesterday.
September 22nd at 8:00pm
"Today the United States crossed a tragic milestone — 200,000 Americans have died of COVID. It is an immeasurable loss: These Americans were mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. We mourn the gaping hole in the hearts of their loved ones and for the wound inflicted on the soul of our country.
Across the nation, we are seeing other worrying reminders that the pandemic is far from over. New cases have increased more than 15 percent in the last ten days nationally — which makes it all the more urgent that we stay vigilant. I urge New Yorkers to continue to wear masks, socially distance and take other precautions. We can get through this crisis by staying New York Tough, but we cannot let our guard down now.
Chart of the Day: New York has conducted 10 million tests and the positive infection rate remains low.
1. New York has now conducted ten million COVID tests. New York continues to lead the nation in testing, having conducted more than ten million tests in total (for context, the population of New York State is about 19 million). Remember that any New Yorker can get tested for COVID for any reason. Find a testing site near you.
2. Five states have been added to New York's travel advisory. Individuals traveling to New York from Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island and Wyoming must quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in New York. No areas have been removed. See more info here.
3. The positive infection rate remains under one percent. Yesterday, there were 470 total hospitalizations. Of the 83,997 tests reported yesterday, 754, or 0.89 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost three New Yorkers to the virus.
4. Today is National Voter Registration Day. I encourage all New Yorkers who have not already done so to register to vote and make your voice heard. To register to vote you must be a U.S. citizen; a resident of New York State and the county, city or village in which you are applying for at least 30 days before the election; and be at least 18 years of age by or on November 3rd. The deadline to register to vote in New York State is October 9th. Learn how you can register to vote here or check to make sure you are registered.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Troy, NY has been chosen as the filming location for Amazon Studios' upcoming series "Modern Love." The new series is based on the popular New York Times column of the same name. It's not the first time the city of Troy has been used for filming; Troy's downtown was also one of the filming locations for the 1993 Martin Scorsese film The Age of Innocence and the 2002 sci-fi film The Time Machine."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 22nd, 2020
Hospitalization as of September 22nd at 4:30pm
• 26 individuals were hospitalized, no change since yesterday
• 9 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of 1 since yesterday
September 21st at 8:00pm
"On Friday, we were devastated to learn that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had passed away. Justice Ginsburg was a daughter of Brooklyn and her life was a testament to the true meaning of New York Tough — accomplishment, tenacity, conviction, all coupled with respect, grace and dignity.
As an advocate, litigator, professor and judge, Justice Ginsburg was a singular force for justice throughout her extraordinary career, particularly in her relentless fight for gender equality. New York will honor her life and legacy with a statue in Brooklyn. This statue will serve as a physical reminder of Justice Ginsburg's monumental contributions to American jurisprudence and as an inspiration to us all.
Photo of the Day: Over the weekend, landmarks across NYS were lit up blue in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
1. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 468 total hospitalizations. Of the 58,319 tests reported yesterday, 573, or 0.98 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost one New Yorker to the virus.
2. The moratorium on commercial evictions is extended until October 20th. I signed an Executive Order that extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants.
3. MoMA PS1 is now reopened with strict safety protocols in place. The Queens contemporary arts venue joins the many arts and cultural institutions reopening their doors to guests. When visiting museums and other institutions, patrons must respect safety protocols, including wearing a mask and respecting social distancing as much as possible.
4. The Rochester Fringe Festival has gone virtual this year. New York State's largest multidisciplinary performing arts festival features 170+ online productions and runs through Saturday, September 26.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, also known as pink dolphins, have been sighted in greater numbers in Hong Kong's waters after the ferry service was suspended due to COVID. The threatened species have been in decline, so conservationists have been encouraged by their resurgence in the Pearl River Delta."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 21st, 2020
Hospitalization as of September 21st at 4:30pm
• 26 individuals were hospitalized, an decrease of 1 since yesterday
• 8 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), no change
• new admissions
• 27 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 3 since yesterday
• 24 individuals were hospitalized, a decrease of 8 in a 24-hour period
• 8 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a decrease of 2
"On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, I wish all who celebrate a sweet new year. While celebrating this year will be different amid the pandemic, we can all reflect on the past year and look ahead to the next one. This year, there is much to consider. Anti-Semitism remains a force both in the world and here at home, and the Jewish community, like so many others, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But tonight is an opportunity for Jewish New Yorkers to reflect on what each of us can do to improve our communities and our world, together. To all those who celebrate, I wish you and your family a happy and safe new year. On behalf of all New Yorkers, Shanah Tovah U'Metukah!
Photo of the Day: Today, hundreds of volunteers handed out free masks on the NYC Subway, where wearing a mask is mandatory.
1. The State Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding online services, making it easier for New Yorkers to do business with the DMV during this pandemic. The DMV is launching a pilot program to offer the written learner permit tests for passenger cars (Class D) and motorcycles (Class M) online. It is also piloting a process to allow customers who reside in counties served by the State DMV to register their vehicles online. In-person services are available for transactions that cannot to be done online, by mail or by drop box and reservations are required for all in-person transactions. Read more.
2. The percent positive rate dropped to 0.88 percent. Yesterday, there were 478 total hospitalizations. Of the 89,727 tests reported yesterday, 790, or 0.88 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 10 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. A reminder that masks are required on public transportation. If you don't have a mask, you can request one at any staffed station booth in the NYC subway. Today, hundreds of volunteers stopped by MTA stations and trains, handing out free masks to riders. Those who refuse to wear a mask even after being asked to wear one, and offered one, may be fined $50.
4. The State Liquor Authority has suspended liquor licenses for 33 additional bars and restaurants. These 33 businesses were found to be in egregious violation of Executive Orders issued to protect the public health. To date, 201 liquor licenses have been suspended during the Coronavirus pandemic. The vast majority of restaurants and bars are complying with rules; these suspensions should serve as a warning to the small number of establishments who are openly flouting the rules and putting New Yorkers' health in danger.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Looking for things to do to celebrate fall in New York this weekend? I Love NY published a new blog post on some fall favorite activities you can enjoy during the fall season. Read the blog post here."
• 32 individuals were hospitalized, a decrease of 5 since yesterday
• 10 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of 1
• 9 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of 1
"Today is day 200 of the COVID crisis — it's been 200 days since New York State's first confirmed case of COVID. Since then, we have made tremendous progress, especially on testing. When this started, we had the capacity to conduct about 500 tests per day. Yesterday, we did 75,000 tests. Our reopening plan is striking a balance between opening as much as we can and still keeping the infection rate under control and the public's health front and center.
We're certainly in a new normal. We must continue to manage COVID. The crisis is less severe — but it's less severe because of the continued caution that New Yorkers are exercising and because of the safeguards that remain in place. The infection rate is hovering just below one percent, so we have very little room for error.
1. The deadline for health insurance special enrollment has been extended through December 31, 2020. New Yorkers without health insurance can apply for coverage through the NY State of Health Marketplace, by phone at 1-855-355-5777, or by connecting with a free enrollment assister.
2. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 483 total hospitalizations. Of the 75,087 tests reported yesterday, 652, or 0.87 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost four New Yorkers to the virus.
3. There's still time to respond to the Census. While 93.4 percent of New Yorkers have filled out the Census, we need to ensure every New Yorker is counted. There's still time left to respond. You can respond by mail, by phone at 844-330-2020 or online at https://my2020census.gov. Spread the word and let's Get Counted, NY.
4. The Nourish NY program has invested over $13 million connecting New York farms with families in need. The initiative has distributed 17.8 million pounds of dairy products to food banks, along with approximately 4.8 million pounds of produce. Over 610,000 households have received food sourced from 4,135 farms, which is helping keep businesses and families afloat.
5. Due to the pandemic, there is still a severe shortage of blood and blood donations are needed. Giving blood is safe: New York's blood donation centers have implemented precautions to minimize density and ensure the safety of donors and staff, including requiring donors to make an appointment. Learn more here.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A new red panda has arrived at the Seneca Park Zoo's Cold Asia exhibit. Willie, a five-year-old male named after country star Willie Nelson, came to New York from Zoo Knoxville in Tennessee, to mate with the zoo's female red panda, Starlight. You can visit Willie at the Seneca Park Zoo through timed entry tickets."
• 37 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 6 in a 24-hour period
"For months, I have talked about how important it is for people of all ages to wear a mask, and it has sometimes been a challenge to reach young people, especially since they may feel that the virus poses less of a direct threat to their own health than it does for older generations. I felt like I had tried everything — begged, pleaded, threatened. I didn't know what else was left — but I thought humor might do it. So I called up Paul Rudd, who I had met at an event before COVID began. I said, "You know, can you do a PSA, a video, that really gets to young people?" And Paul Rudd said, "Yeah, I can do it."
Paul Rudd might be an unlikely partner to help reach Gen Z-ers and millennials, but he was up for the task, and he delivered a video that is funny as heck. It's gotten over 12 million views already and if you haven't seen it, I recommend that you do. Whether you're old, young, or somewhere in-between — mask up.
Video of the Day: Certified young person Paul Rudd joined forces with New York State to tell young people why they should wear a mask. Watch the video here.
1. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 481 total hospitalizations. Of the 73,678 tests reported yesterday, 766, or 1.0 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 11 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Six states have been removed from New York's COVID-19 Travel Advisory. Individuals traveling from California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio will not be subject to a 14-day quarantine. The Northern Mariana Islands have also been removed, but Puerto Rico has been added to the list. See more info here.
3. New York will not ban trick-or-treating this Halloween. When Halloween comes around, I'll give New Yorkers my advice and provide guidance so everyone can make a decision for themselves and their families on whether or not trick-or-treating is something they want to do this year.
4. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held in a virtual format this year. The parade will be televised on November 26th, but will feature pre-recorded performances. The iconic balloons will also be flown over New York City but using approved specialty vehicles.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": In the interim between seasons, the Ice Theater of New York would usually practice in indoor rinks, but with the pandemic shutting down rinks, the figure skaters have swapped their blades for wheels. The performing group continues to practice with inline skates, using public spaces like parks and playgrounds to glide until the winter freeze arrives and they can return to the ice."
The Washington Post: We don't need to reach herd immunity to begin to get the virus under control
USA Today: COVID-19 tracking apps, supported by Apple and Google, begin showing up in app stores
New York Times: Health experts warn about perils of new virus data collection system
"On a sunny, cloudless Tuesday morning nineteen years ago, New York, the nation and the world were changed forever. We will never forget the nearly three thousand lives lost during the September 11th terrorist attacks. We will never forget that a day marked by unfathomable loss was met with equal courage. Selfless heroes ran into hell without hesitation, leading tens of thousands to safety. Our brave first responders have our enduring respect and gratitude. The pain and suffering continue for too many, who in the aftermath of these attacks still battle 9/11-related illnesses. We stand with these heroes and in the fight to ensure they receive every bit of the funding and care they need and deserve.
In the midst of the COVID crisis, today is an especially poignant moment to commemorate and reflect on bravery and selflessness. Once again, our country is facing an unprecedented challenge. And once again, New Yorkers are responding with the same loving, caring and united spirit that has always defined us in our best days and darkest days alike. New York will build back stronger, and we will never cease to be the globe's beacon of freedom, opportunity and democracy.
Photo of the Day: The Tribute in Light shines in commemoration of 9/11 (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
1. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 474 total hospitalizations. Of the 89,722 tests reported yesterday, 880, or 0.98 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost five New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Additional unemployment benefits for eligible New Yorkers affected by COVID will begin going out next week. The New York Department of Labor will start distributing an additional $300 a week in unemployment, which replaced the expired weekly $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit that many New Yorkers had been receiving. The Department of Labor will be contacting New Yorkers who may need to submit additional certification to qualify for the benefit.
3. CARES funding will be directed to assist child care providers in reopening. Child care is essential to getting people back to work and $88.6 million in federal CARES funding will be made available to assist child care providers in the State. Starting next week, child care providers may apply for funding here. The application period will be open through December 31st.
4. On the 19th anniversary of 9/11, I signed legislation reconstituting the September 11 Workers Protection Task Force Bill. This Task Force, originally established in 2005, was created to obtain data regarding adverse health effects on workers who participated in rescue, recovery and response at Ground Zero and to make recommendations to improve access and scope of health programs assisting those workers and first responders. This measure will ensure these selfless men and women continue to receive the care they are owed.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": It's a time of year anticipated by many New Yorkers, when the foliage begins changing into an array of beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. To track the changing colors of New York's landscapes, I Love NY released their first Fall Foliage Report of the year, tracking the changing colors in several regions throughout the state. Travelers who wish to capture the colorful scenery must follow all public health and safety guidelines."
"New Yorkers are complying with State guidelines across the board which has led to our low infection rate. We have taken care of one another. One important area vital to our continued public health is that all riders must wear a mask while on pubic transportation. While mask compliance in the MTA system is high, we must do all we can to prevent the spread and to make riders feel secure when taking the subway or using public transportation. No one is above the law and no single rider can put others at risk by refusing to wear a mask. Starting Monday, September 14th, the MTA will issue a $50 fine to riders who refuse to wear a mask on public transportation. Masks are always available at no cost if needed. There is no excuse for non-compliance. All New Yorkers must act responsibly and if a rider refuses to wear a mask — they will be fined. We are all in this together.
Chart of the Day: Total COVID hospitalizations continues to remain low
1. New York has conducted over 9 million tests to date. We lead the nation in testing and remember, any New Yorker who wants a COVID test can get tested. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you.
2. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 482 total hospitalizations. Of the 76,813 tests reported yesterday, 757, or 0.98 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost seven New Yorkers to the virus.
3. On Suicide Prevention Day, New York is continuing to raise awareness and offer mental health resources. I signed a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month and today, September 10, as Suicide Prevention Day in New York. The Office of Mental Health is launching a social media campaign to inform all New Yorkers that you can call the State's Emotional Support Helpline at 1-833-863-9314 for free emotional support, consultations and referrals to a provider.
4. A new Virtual Taste NY Producer Showcase will kick off this October. This online business-to-business networking event will connect NY's agricultural businesses with potential new buyers and foster new business relationships despite the pandemic. The program pilot will "take place" in the Adirondacks and Capital Region. Registration is now open for vendors and buyers.
5. The Long Island Railroad launched a new app to help you identify train capacity. Riders can use the app to help plan their commutes and identify which trains are the least crowded.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": When schools closed back in March, Naples, NY resident Josh Gleason took up woodworking and decided to build a boat. Starting completely from scratch, the rising ninth grader used materials from the local lumberyard and built a flat-bottom boat that he dubbed the "M.S. Liberty." Set with a brass bell and working engine, the M.S. Liberty has sailed multiple times across Honeoye Lake, with Josh at the helm and his family members on board."
• 5 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), no change since yesterday
September 9th at 8:00pm
"New Yorkers have worked hard to comply with reopening guidelines and we have some good news. Starting September 30th, restaurants in New York City can reopen for indoor dining with a limit of 25 percent capacity. All restaurants that choose to reopen must adhere to strict safety protocols, including temperature checks, face coverings when not seated, increased ventilation and air filtration standards, among other safety protocols. Bar service will not be permitted, and restaurants will close at midnight. We will reassess the guidelines on November 1st based on data. Read more about NYC's indoor dining reopening here.
Photo of the Day: Artwork by Mierle Laderman Ukeles was unveiled on the face of the Queens Museum to thank essential workers for their dedicated service to NY (Photo by Hai Zhang)
1. The total number of COVID hospitalizations continues to remain low. Yesterday, there were 463 total hospitalizations. Of the 63,230 tests reported yesterday, 576, or 0.91 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost three New Yorkers to the virus.
2. The NY Department of Financial Services is extending action requiring New York health insurers to waive costs associated with COVID-19. New York insurers must waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and in-network telehealth visits until November 9th. This extends the action put in place in March, which waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and telehealth services.
3. A reminder to New Yorkers to get a flu shot. While we still handle COVID, flu season is fast-approaching. This year it is especially important that New Yorkers get their flu shot. Find a flu vaccination site near you.
4. The Met Cloisters will reopen on September 12. This weekend, the Cloisters, the Met's museum of European medieval art overlooking the Hudson River, joins other cultural institutions that have begun reopening with reduced capacity and timed entry. Read more about the reopenings of New York City's cultural institutions.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Back in April, I received a heartfelt letter from a farmer in Troy, Kansas that included a single N95 mask left from his farming days that he wanted to donate to a healthcare worker. Touched by the act of generosity, the town of Troy, New York sent a care package to Dennis Ruhnke and his wife Sharon to thank them for their kindness in helping New York in the heat of the crisis, from one Troy to another."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 9th, 2020
Hospitalization as of September 9th at 4:30pm
September 8th at 10:30pm
"The unofficial start of fall is here.
Yesterday, on Labor Day, we honored the dedicated men and women in New York and across our country who make up our workforce, and we had special reason to celebrate them this year. During New York's long and continuing fight against COVID, it was our workers, including the men and women of organized labor, who showed up every day and risked their lives to protect all of us.
As we enter a new, post-Labor Day phase of the pandemic that presents new challenges, I want to update you on a few important matters.
School Reopening
First is the issue of schools. I recognize that many parents and teachers are nervous, and they have good reason to be.
While we cannot eliminate the risks of COVID, we can arm parents and teachers with the facts. To that end, the State is requiring all school districts to report daily data on the COVID infection rate and new cases at every school. This information will be publicly available on a new online dashboard that will have constantly updated data for your school.
In addition, the State launched a SUNY COVID-19 Case Tracker that provides real-time, up-to-date data on COVID-19 testing and other vital information at each of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities.
With this transparently available data, parents and communities will be in a better position to make decisions and stay safe.
Second is the issue of voting. New York has taken a host of measures to make voting safer and easier during the pandemic.
For the first time in our state's history, all registered voters can request an absentee ballot (under the "temporary illness" excuse). If you choose to vote by absentee ballot, then there are several ways you can cast your completed, signed ballot.
1. Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3
2. Drop it off at an Early Voting poll site between October 24 and November 1
3. Drop it off at a poll site on November 3 by 9pm
4. Drop it off at your county Board of Elections Office starting September 8 through no later than November 3 by 9pm (see the list of county Boards of Elections Offices here)
In addition to absentee voting, New Yorkers can also take advantage of Early Voting. For nine days, from October 24 to November 1, registered voters can cast their vote in-person at an early polling site. Of course, New Yorkers can still vote in-person on Election Day, November 3, as well.
Whatever method you choose, make sure your voice is heard. Learn more about Early Voting and Absentee Voting.
I want to take a moment to thank you for your cooperation and responsibility over the past few months. Together we brought the infection rate down by taking simple, effective precautions like wearing a mask and getting tested.
This new phase we are entering will test our diligence. We must continue to be careful and smart. It's up to all of us to ensure our continued success in the weeks and months ahead.
As schools begin to reopen and some return to in-person learning, I understand parents and teachers are anxious. To help manage the stress of uncertainty regarding COVID, we want to clearly provide New Yorkers with the facts and data needed so parents, teachers and students are informed. Therefore, we are launching a new online dashboard called the "COVID-19 Report Card." This dashboard will provide parents, teachers and students with comprehensive COVID data for every school that will be updated on a daily basis, including positive infections of students and staff, and percentage of on-site students and staff who test positive. The dashboard is available here.
Chart of the Day: For over a month, New York's positive infection rate has remained under one percent.
1. Four states have been added to the State's travel advisory. Visitors traveling from Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia must quarantine upon arriving from NY. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been removed from the list. Learn more about NY's travel advisory.
2. The total number of hospitalizations continues to remains low. Yesterday, there were 445 total hospitalizations. Of the 57,826 tests reported yesterday, 557, or 0.96 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 5 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. New York State launched a COVID tracker to monitor cases at SUNY colleges and universities. The Department of Health will be issuing regulations to require colleges to notify the state when they have 100 COVID-19 cases and could have to transition to remote learning. To address, monitor and mitigate the spread of COVID across SUNY, New York also launched a case tracker database for SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Updated daily, the dashboard will provide case counts for each individual campus, among other data. The dashboard is available here.
4. Reminder: New Yorkers can request an absentee ballot online now. This year, New Yorkers have several options to vote in this year's election: Early voting, absentee voting and in-person voting on Election Day. If you have concerns about COVID, you may request an online ballot now. Learn more.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Claudia and Richard Berroa started a business selling flan at notable New York grocery stores like Zabar's and Union Market. Eventually they decided to expand and open Claudy's Kitchen, a Peruvian restaurant. COVID-19 shutdowns impacted their opening plans, but in that delay the couple found a silver lining. Unhappy with the sign they had installed on their storefront, the restaurant owners acted on a whim and reached out to the late Milton Glaser, designer of the iconic "I Love NY" logo, for help. The legendary Bronx native obliged, and when they opened for takeout on June 12, his design was prominently displayed on the front of the restaurant. Glaser died on June 26, and this turned out to be one of his last projects."
• 1.5 percent of those tested on Long Island in the last reported 24-hour period tested
• 31 individuals were hospitalized, a decrease of 1 from September 5
• 4 patients were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), no change from September 5
• 32 individuals were hospitalized, a decrease of 7 in the last 24 hours
• 11 discharges
• 39 individuals were hospitalized, an increase of 5 in the last 24 hours
"This weekend, we celebrate the dedicated men and women throughout the state and across the country who comprise our incredible workforce. It was in New York that Labor Day was first celebrated, and we continue to fight for the respect, pride and dignity of all our workers. Over the long weekend, I encourage New Yorkers to be smart and be safe. Remember — COVID won't take a holiday and it continues to spread across the country. Wear a mask; be smart; plan well. Let's look out for one another.
Image of the Day: The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City in 1882.
1. For the fourth straight week, New York's positive infection rate is below 1 percent. All of the State's COVID reporting data, including the number of tests conducted and the positive infection rate broken down by region, is available here.
2. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 428 total hospitalizations. Of the 93,395 tests reported yesterday, 864, or 0.92 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 5 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. Planning a trip? Stay local. New York State is full of local getaways perfect for single day or weekend trips. Read more about the many staycation options in the state, ranging from half-day trips to overnights and more.
4. A new online graphic novel collection shares personal stories of the COVID pandemic. The COVID Chronicles is a collection of personal stories made in partnership with Upshot Studios, depicting how many cope with the pandemic. From frontline workers to individuals who fought off the virus, these visual stories portray the unique ways the virus has affected us all.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": After recovering from COVID, New York City photographer AJ Stetson began taking photographic portraits of his housemates and New Yorkers in public spaces. In his collection of over 500 photos, Stetson beautifully captures the diversity and strength of New Yorkers during this challenging year. "
• 34 individuals were hospitalized, decrease of 1 in the last 24 hours
September 3rd at 8:30pm
"Earlier this week, in response to an uptick in COVID cases in Western NY, the State set up eight rapid testing sites for residents in the region. I wanted to share some of the results with you. From the testing team's effort, a total of 6,385 tests were performed with results delivered in 15 minutes. A total of 266 positive cases were identified, for an infection rate of 4.1 percent. While this was not random testing (it was a self-selected group), the situation in Western NY is nevertheless serious, and residents should exercise increased caution.
The State Department of Health will lend 20 rapid testing machines to local health departments in Western NY and continue to carefully monitor the infection rate of the region. Let's all do our part to make sure the virus doesn't spread and our infection rate remains low. If you have COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID, get tested.
Photo of the Day: Last night, the newly-installed fountain on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal in Seneca Falls, NY — the birthplace of the women's suffrage movement — was illuminated in purple and gold to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (Photo by Philip Kamrass)
2. Malls in New York City will be allowed to reopen on September 9th. Malls can reopen with a 50 percent occupancy limit and malls that choose to reopen must follow strict safety protocols, including strict enforcement of face coverings, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols. No indoor dining is permitted in malls.
3. Casinos and video lottery terminal facilities will be allowed to reopen starting September 9th with a 25 percent occupancy limit. Casinos that choose to reopen must adhere to strict safety protocols. This includes enforcing face coverings except when eating or drinking, social distancing and maintaining traffic flow.
4. Rapid testing sites in Oneonta, NY are open. As a reminder to Oneonta residents, the State set up three rapid testing sites as a response to the COVID cluster that broke out among students on the SUNY Oneonta campus. You MUST make an appointment to be tested, which can be made by calling 1-833-NYSTRNG (1-833-697-8764)
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Need more proof that age is just a number? A 53-year-old mother of three from Long Island is competing again (virtually for the moment) in gymnastics, after overcoming several injuries. Lori Vollkommer, a former Junior Olympian from Suffolk County, won five gold medals in 2018 at the International Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs World Championship in Orlando and has no plans to stop doing the sport she loves. Her 25-year-old son, who is also her strength and conditioning coach, told ABC 7, "I'm blessed to be her son because she doesn't just inspire me, she inspires so many other people."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 3rd, 2020
Hospitalization as of September 3rd at 4:30pm
September 2nd at 7:30pm
"New York State launched an online portal where all registered voters can request an absentee ballot if you are worried about in-person voting due to COVID. There's no need to wait — you can request an absentee ballot for the November 3rd election today. (Please note that you must already be registered to vote at your current address. If you aren't registered to vote, or need to change your voter registration address, visit elections.ny.gov for more info.)
New Yorkers have options in the way to cast a vote this elections: In addition to voting by absentee ballot, you can vote early in-person at your Early Voting polling place from October 24 to November 1 (there are nine days of Early Voting). And of course, you can still vote in-person on Election Day, November 3rd. Whatever option feels safest is up to you — just make sure your voice is heard.
Photo of the Day: Mask Up, America
1. New York is extending our partnership with HelloFresh to help combat food insecurity amid the pandemic. The New York State Division of Veterans' Services and HelloFresh started working together in June to provide meals to families, and this expansion will provide over 200,000 fresh meals to veterans, military families and other residents in New York City who are experiencing food insecurity — one of a host of initiatives the State has taken to help ensure that no family goes hungry. I thank HelloFresh for their help.
3. The Whitney Museum of American Art reopens its doors to the public tomorrow. The Whitney joins other cultural institutions that have begun reopening with reduced capacity and timed entry. Read more about New York City's cultural institution reopenings.
4. There's still time to respond to the Census. As of now, approximately 80 percent of New Yorkers have completed the Census — but we need everyone to respond. You can respond by mail, by phone at 844-330-2020 or online at https://my2020census.gov. Spread the word and let's Get Counted, NY.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": New York City artist Devon Rodriguez would often use his subway rides as inspiration for his art, sketching New Yorkers he'd see in hyper-realistic detail. But amid the pandemic he found a new approach to his style. On his subway rides, he started sketching New Yorkers wearing masks. He began using his art to not only to help himself cope with the stress of the COVID pandemic, but also to capture the challenging moment we find ourselves in."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 2nd, 2020
• 667,655, COVID-19 tests have been administered, an addition of 5,761 tests
Hospitalization as of September 2nd at 4:30pm
• 38 individuals were hospitalized, no change in the last 24 hours
September 1st at 7:15pm
"Fall is a special time in New York State. It is fast approaching, and we want to make sure families and communities can safely enjoy all the season has to offer. Today, new guidance was released on seasonal activities, which include corn mazes, pick-your-own fruit and vegetable operations, hayrides and haunted houses, on how to operate this year.
New Yorkers can also visit New York's wonderful farmers' markets and craft beverage trails, which have remained open under guidance and thereby support agriculture and tourism. With guidance in place these businesses can open to the public safely, allowing New Yorkers to enjoy their favorite fall activities while providing a boost to our farming communities and local economies.
Photo of the Day: Today, the famous annual State Fair butter sculpture was unveiled, honoring food workers providing milk and other dairy products to schoolchildren.
1. The total number of hospitalizations remains low. Yesterday, there were 432 total hospitalizations. Of the 76,997 tests reported yesterday, 754, or 0.98 percent, were positive. Sadly, we lost 3 New Yorkers to the virus. The positive rate in Western New York was 1.6 percent yesterday, which is elevated compared to the rest of the state. If you live in Buffalo or the Western NY region, take special precautions and I encourage you to get a test.
2. Alaska and Montana have been added to New York's COVID travel advisory. The two states join 31 other states and territories from which travelers arriving to New York must self-quarantine for 14 days. See the full list here.
3. Today is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Due to the pandemic, there is a national shortage of poll workers, and New York State needs your help. Poll workers are essential to ensure that the election runs smoothly throughout New York's early voting period and on November 3rd, Election Day. The positions are PAID. To be eligible as a poll worker, you must be a registered voter in New York State.
4. Tomorrow, three free rapid testing sites will open in Oneonta to address a COVID cluster. The new temporary testing sites at St. James Church, the Oneonta Armory, and the Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center will open in the City of Oneonta, Otsego County, tomorrow at 11 a.m. The sites will remain open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Testing is by appointment only — you can schedule yours by calling 1-833-NYSTRNG (1-833-697-8764)
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": One symbol of the fall season is the full orange moon that illuminates the sky, which is known as the "Corn Moon." Native Americans used this celestial phenomenon to indicate when it was time to harvest the corn. You can see the first Corn Moon of the year this evening."
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 through September 1st, 2020
Hospitalization as of September 1st at 4:30pm