Dear Neighbor,

Starting this week, I will be sending COVID-19 and Community updates in separate emails. These emails will alternate on a weekly basis; today, I am sending COVID-19 updates and next week you will receive a Community updates email. On occasion, you will see some overlap in content out of an interest in sharing current information with you.

For example, I would like to provide a friendly reminder that Early Voting begins tomorrow, June 18, in advance of the June 28 Primary Election. Please visit the NYC Board of Elections website to view the Early Voting schedule, to find your Early Voting poll site (which may be different from your Primary Election Day poll site), and to review a sample ballot. Keep in mind there are two Primary elections this year. The second Primary is being held on August 23, with Early Voting taking place from August 13-21.

Contents:

· COVID-19 Resources

· New York City COVID-19 & Omicron Updates

· New York State COVID-19 Updates

· Federal COVID-19 Updates

· COVID-19 Policy Updates

· COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

· COVID-19 Treatment

· COVID-19 Testing Updates

· COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: Vaccination Scheduling, Vaccine Site, and Vaccine Eligibility Information

· COVID-19 Vaccine, Safety, and Containment Information

· Monkeypox Updates

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Data

· NYC COVID-19 Alert Level System

· NYC Health Department COVID-19 Data

· NYS Health Department COVID-19 Data

· CDC COVID-19 Data

COVID-19 Supplies

· Order free COVID-19 at-home rapid testing kits from the federal government (current maximum is 8 testing kits per household). Order online or call 800-232-0233

· Pick up free COVID-19 at-home rapid tests from City-distribution sites. Click here to see a list of community sites and times when you can pick up a free rapid test kit.

· COVID.gov: a federal website where you can look up information on where to get free masks, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations, treatment, and testing.

New York City COVID-19 & Omicron Updates

New York City’s COVID-19 Alert Level continues to be “Orange/High,” however, the good news is that NYC COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and fatality rates continue to decrease. You can check the transmission level in your neighborhood by going to the NYC Health Department COVID-19 data web page, clicking “Transmission” and then “Your Neighborhood.” Please keep in mind, however, that when COVID-19 rates are elevated in the City, transmissibility is high throughout the City. At this time, it is important to remain vigilant, as our case rates are still high and the percentage of cases caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 variants is increasing.

On June 15, 5,913 people tested positive for COVID-19 in NYS and 3,335 individuals tested positive in NYC. The statewide 7-day average of cases per 100K was 25.34. The highest 7-day average was 33.17 in NYC. According to NYS hospitalization data, as of June 15, there were 1,884 people hospitalized statewide due to COVID-19, with 211 individuals in the ICU. In NYC, there were 730 Coronavirus patients hospitalized, with 88 individuals in the ICU. As of June 14, the 7-day average of deaths in NYC, confirmed and probable, was 10.

According to NYS COVID-19 variant data, the Omicron BA.1.1 sub-variant is causing 0% of cases, BA.2 and BA.2.12 are causing 22% of cases, BA.2.12.1 is causing 67% of cases, and BA.4 and BA.5 are causing 10% of cases. As previously mentioned, BA.4 and BA.5 are the most contagious variants of concern thus far. BA.4 and BA.5 evade antibodies, which means that people who contracted COVID-19 from an earlier Omicron variant can get reinfected if exposed to these variants of concern. See this Time article for more information about BA.4 and BA.5.

Based on the current state of the Coronavirus in New York City, the NYC Health Department strongly recommends that we continue to follow COVID-19 safety measures, including staying up to date with Coronavirus vaccinations, wearing a high-quality mask in public indoor settings, getting tested regularly, holding social gatherings outside, maintaining good air ventilation indoors, and staying home if sick.

New York State COVID-19 Updates

· As of Friday, June 17th, the statewide number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York State was 5,497,115. As of 2:30 p.m., the number of positive cases in NYC was 2,167,273. Please visit the New York State Health Department COVID-19 data page and the New York City Health Department COVID-19 data page to view additional demographic information about how the outbreak is affecting New York State and New York City.

We have lost 56,360 New Yorkers, including 35,086 residents of New York City. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones of the deceased.

· 6/16: Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

· Cases Per 100k - 30.26

· 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 25.34

· Test Results Reported - 103,722

· Total Positive - 5,913

· Percent Positive - 5.23%**

· 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.47%**

· Patient Hospitalization - 1,884 (-23)

· Patients Newly Admitted - 324

· Patients in ICU - 211 (+4)

· Patients in ICU with Intubation - 79 (+5)

· Total Discharges - 312,242 (+329)

· New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 8

· Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,360

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

· Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,670

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

· Total vaccine doses administered - 39,170,972

· Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 17,295

· Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 126,998

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.7%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.2%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.6%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 84.0%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.8%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.3%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.6%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.8%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.6%

Each region's 7-day average of cases per 100K population is as follows:

REGION	Monday, June 13, 2022	Tuesday, June 14, 2022	Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Capital Region	17.37	16.35	15.45
Central New York	10.89	10.32	10.21
Finger Lakes	9.90	10.17	9.95
Long Island	31.99	31.16	30.82
Mid-Hudson	25.46	25.26	25.61
Mohawk Valley	11.86	11.75	11.66
New York City	37.41	33.53	33.17
North Country	15.00	14.63	13.67
Southern Tier	12.07	12.12	11.76
Western New York	11.85	11.09	10.22
Statewide	27.60	25.66	25.34

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

Borough in NYC	Monday, June 13, 2022	Tuesday, June 14, 2022	Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Bronx	3.83%	3.85%	3.81%
Kings	4.50%	4.58%	4.89%
New York	6.06%	5.39%	5.38%
Queens	5.86%	5.82%	5.63%
Richmond	5.48%	6.02%	5.67%

Federal COVID-19 Updates

CDC Updates

· Before You Travel (steps to take)

· COVID-19 Vaccines for People Vaccinated Outside the United States

· Why Children and Teens Should Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

· Self-testing at Home or Anywhere

CDC Reports

· COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations Among Medicare Beneficiaries With and Without Disabilities — United States, January 1, 2020–November 20, 2021

· COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, by Race and Ethnicity — National Immunization Survey Adult COVID Module, United States, December 2020–November 2021

· Ventilation Improvement Strategies Among K–12 Public Schools — The National School COVID-19 Prevention Study, United States, February 14–March 27, 2022

FDA Updates

· June 14, 2022: FDA Roundup including an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Laboratory Corporation of America (Labcorp) VirSeq SARS-CoV-2 NGS Test (PDF) on the PacBio Sequel II sequencing system

· June 10, 2022: FDA Roundup including a COVID-19 testing update

COVID-19 Policy Updates: Mask Mandate in Child Care and School Settings; CDC Rescinds Order Requiring Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Prior to Flight to the US

· Mask Mandate in Child Care and School Settings: As of June 13, mask wearing is now optional in child care and school settings; however, as mentioned above, the NYC Health Department still strongly recommends that individuals of all ages, and regardless of vaccination status, wear a high-grade mask when in public indoor settings. Click here to see the Mayor’s press release.

· CDC Rescinds Order Requiring Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Prior to Flight to the US: As of June 12, passengers on international flights to the U.S. are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from the Coronavirus prior to boarding a flight to the U.S. Click here to view the press release.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Age 6 Months+

On June 15, the Advisory Council of the FDA voted to recommend that the FDA authorize use of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to vaccinate children age 6 months and above against COVID-19. You can watch recordings of the two-day meeting here and here. Today, June 17, the FDA issued authorization; specifically:

· Moderna is authorized as a 2-dose vaccine for children and adolescents age 6 months – 17 years of age. The second dose is administered 28 days after the first. Authorization had previously been issued for use of Moderna with individuals age 18 and above.

· Pfizer is authorized as a 3-dose vaccine for children age 6 months – 4 years of age. The second dose is administered 3 weeks after the first dose, and the third dose is administered at least 8 weeks after the second dose. Authorization had previously been issued for use of Pfizer with individuals age 5 and above.

Now that the FDA has issued authorization, the CDC must do so as well before parents can get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC’s ACIP Committee is meeting today and tomorrow to discuss and vote on authorization of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. It is anticipated that the CDC will issue authorization within the coming days and that vaccinations for this age group may begin next week.

This morning, the Mayor and NYC Health Commissioner announced the following plans for the COVID-19 Baby Vaccine rollout. Please note that the dates are tentative and contingent on final federal approval:

1. Starting now: Parents are recommended to check with their child’s Pediatrician to confirm whether they will administer COVID-19 vaccinations in their office.

2. Tuesday, June 21: Parents may be able to use NYC Vaccine Finder to locate vaccine sites for children age 6 months – 5 years of age. There will be 10 City-run vaccine hubs administering the Moderna vaccine to this age group, one of which is in Times Square. The Pfizer vaccine will be available at other vaccine sites serving this age group. Please Note: If you plan to take your child age 5 or younger to get vaccinated at a local pharmacy, it is important to confirm first whether the pharmacy will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to children under 5.

3. Wednesday, June 22: The 10 above-mentioned City-run vaccine sites are expected to be open. Be sure to confirm in advance, however, in case there are any delays. Other vaccine providers, including Pediatricians and pharmacies, may start administering vaccinations to children age 6 months – 5 years of age on different days, depending on how long it takes them to get set up.

I will provide updates as additional information is made available. If you have questions about which vaccine to choose for your child, please speak with your child’s Pediatrician. The following articles provide some general information about the two vaccines:

· Here is what to know about the Covid vaccine for infants and toddlers (NY Times)

· What parents should know about Covid-19 vaccines for babies and little kids (Vox)

COVID-19 Treatment

As mentioned above, our hospitalization and fatality rates have not increased to date, which the NYC Health Department attributes to the COVID-19 vaccines and treatment. The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 and Long COVID is to get vaccinated and follow the other core safety measures. However, COVID-19 treatments are also important, as they provide life-saving treatment for people who contract the Coronavirus and are at higher risk of severe illness. I want to make sure that you know how to access COVID-19 treatment and who is eligible.

· Eligibility for COVID-19 Treatment: At this time, individuals who are age 65+ or who have a pre-existing condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness, and who have tested positive for the Coronavirus are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. If you are not sure about your eligibility, speak with your health care provider.

· How to Access COVID-19 Treatment: Treatment for the Coronavirus can be commenced within 5-10 days of developing mild-moderate symptoms, and therefore, it is critical to get tested right away if you have symptoms or were recently exposed. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should do the following:

1. Speak with your primary care provider to discuss your eligibility for COVID-19 treatment. If you do not have a primary care provider, or if you are uninsured, you can call 212-268-4319 and press option 9 to reach the NYC Health + Hospitals emergency telehealth service. You will have intake with a nurse and then speak with a clinician to determine eligibility. Please keep in mind that this phone number is for people who do not have a primary care provider or who are uninsured.

2. If you are approved for treatment, the doctor will call in a prescription for Paxlovid, or you will go to a treatment site for the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment.

Ø Paxlovid is an antiviral pill treatment that involves taking the pills multiple times a day for 6 days. This form of treatment is for people age 12+ who:

o Have tested positive for COVID-19,

o Have had mild-moderate symptoms for 5 days or less, and

o Are at high risk for severe illness, as defined by the CDC

Please Note: Incidences of “COVID-19 rebound” have been reported after taking Paxlovid; namely, the recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms or a new positive viral test after having tested negative, 2-8 days after initial recovery. A brief return of symptoms may occur whether or not a person has taken Paxlovid, and regardless of their vaccination status; therefore, “COVID-19 rebound” does not reflect lack of effectiveness of Paxlovid, which continues to help prevent hospitalization and death due to the Coronavirus.

Ø Monoclonal Antibody Treatment is a one-time IV antibody infusion treatment for people age 12+ who:

o Have tested positive for COVID-19,

o Have had mild-moderate symptoms for 7 days or less (updated information), and

o Are at high risk for severe illness, as defined by the CDC

Please Note: Prescriptions for Paxlovid can be called in to Alto Pharmacy, which delivers the medication to your home, or to a variety of pharmacies in the community which now have Paxlovid in stock. You can ask the doctor to check if your local pharmacy carries Paxlovid if that is your preference.

If your prescription is called in to Alto Pharmacy, please be aware that Alto will call and/or text you in order to arrange for delivery of the Paxlovid. You must answer the call or text before Alto will deliver the medication.

For additional details, please see the NYC Health Department’s COVID-19 Treatment Info Sheet.

COVID-19 Testing Updates: COVID-19 Testing in the Community at City- and Privately-Run Testing Sites

Testing is a valuable tool that we have to determine positivity for the Coronavirus and to interrupt the chain of transmission.

New York City has a variety of testing options available, including City- and privately-run testing sites, and at-home testing, where a trained clinician comes to your home and administers a PCR test. Please see the resources below to learn more about these testing options and other helpful information.

· City-Run Testing Sites and At-Home COVID-19 Testing:

Ø NYC Health + Hospitals offers free (no out-of-pocket costs) rapid and PCR testing at a variety of COVID-19 testing sites, including hospitals, health centers, and pop-up locations, throughout the five boroughs. Click here to find a testing site.. No appointment is required, however, some sites do allow you to pre-register for your visit to streamline the check-in process. Free testing is available whether or not you are symptomatic, and whether or not you have health insurance. If you have health insurance, please bring your insurance card.

Please note: If you are going to an NYC Health + Hospital testing site, you can check testing wait times before you go to get tested.

Ø Request At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing: The NYC Test & Trace Corps offers at-home testing for COVID-19 to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and older adults age 65+. If you need to get tested, and are concerned about risk of exposure, or are unable to leave your home, appointments for at-home testing are available seven days per week, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Schedule an appointment by calling 929-298-9400. You will receive a molecular PCR test administered by a trained clinician in your home at no cost.

· Privately-Run Testing Sites:

Ø Use this search tool to find additional testing sites, including urgent care centers, pharmacies, and labs, by providing an address, zip code, or city. Note: some of these test sites do not offer testing to people who are asymptomatic or under a certain age, and there may be out-of-pocket costs. If you are concerned about potential out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic testing, please make sure to ask in advance what the charges will be.

Important Update: There may be inaccurate information circulating about isolation and testing requirements after testing positive for COVID-19. Please note that CDC guidance does allow people to leave isolation after 5 full days following the first day of symptoms or a positive viral test, if their symptoms are improving (including being fever-free for 24 hours without having taken fever-reducing medication); however, people are still infectious at this point and must wear a high-quality mask at all times when around others, whether in public or at home. Individuals may leave isolation after 5 full days to go to work, but shall not travel until 10 full days have passed since symptoms started or the day the test was taken.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: Vaccination Scheduling, Vaccine Site, and Vaccine Eligibility Information

Regardless of which phase of the pandemic we are currently navigating, it is always the right time to get the vaccine and booster shot. If you have any questions or concerns about getting vaccinated, please speak with your health care provider or call 311.

Vaccination Scheduling Resources

· NYC COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Finder: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/

· City-run vaccine sites: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online: vax4nyc.nyc.gov (click “schedule third dose” to schedule a Pfizer booster shot)

· NYC Health + Hospitals vaccine sites: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online: https://covid19.nychealthandhospitals.org/UnaffiliatedHealthCareWorkers

· State-run vaccine sites: Call 833-697-4829 or Schedule Online: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

· Local and Nationwide vaccine sites: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/

· CVS Pharmacy: Call 800-746-7287 or Schedule Online

· Rite Aid Pharmacy: Call 800-748-3243 or Schedule Online

· Walgreens Pharmacy: Call 800-925-4733 or Schedule Online

Vaccine Site Resources

· MTA Vaccine Pop-Up Sites at Times Square – 42 Street (7^th Avenue) and Grand Central Terminal: Individuals age 18+ can come to either location for a Moderna vaccination (1^st or 2^nd dose, or a booster shot). No appointment is needed. Once you are at the station, follow the signs directing you to the pop-up spot. The two locations are:

Times Square–42 Street (passageway between the 1, 2, 3, and S trains), Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grand Central Terminal, Monday – Sunday, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

· City-run walk-up vaccination sites, and NYC mobile vaccine vans and buses: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/vaccines/covid-19-vaccines.page#walk-up-sites. I encourage you to visit the NYC Vaccine Tool if you have not done so recently. The website has been updated with additional functionality to make it easier for New Yorkers to find vaccine sites that offer walk-up vaccinations and specific vaccines: vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

· NYC In-Home Vaccination Program Expansion: The In-Home Vaccination Program has been further expanded to include all NYC residents who are age 12 or above. Now you can get vaccinated without having to leave your home. To express interest in an in-home vaccination, please fill out this form: https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home or call 877-829-4692. Please note: Even if you received your first or second dose at a community vaccine site, you can still get any additional doses that you are eligible for at home, including booster shots.

Vaccine Eligibility Information

At this time, the following individuals are eligible to get vaccinated:

Initial Vaccination Series

Þ All children age 5-11 are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children FAQs
For parents looking for more information on the vaccine for 5-11 year-olds you can watch this recent conversation between DOHMH and DOE here.

Þ All individuals age 12+ are approved to get vaccinated. Individuals age 12-17 are only authorized to receive the Pfizer vaccination. Individuals age 18+ are authorized to receive the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, the CDC and NYC Health Department prefer that they get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Additional Vaccine Doses for People who Are Immunocompromised

Þ Eligible immunocompromised individuals age 5+ are authorized to get a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Please click here to view the NYC Health Department guidance for more information.

First Booster Shots

Þ Fully-vaccinated 5-11 year-olds who received their second Pfizer vaccine dose at least 5 months ago are approved to receive their first Pfizer booster shot.

Þ Fully-vaccinated 12-17-year-olds who received their second Pfizer vaccine dose at least 5 months ago are approved to receive their first Pfizer booster shot.

Þ Individuals age 18+ who received their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose at least 5 months ago are approved to receive a Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson booster shot, however, the CDC and NYC Health Department prefer that they get the Moderna or Pfizer booster shot.

Þ Individuals age 18+ who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccination at least 2 months ago are approved to receive a Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer booster shot, however, the CDC and NYC Health Department prefer that they get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Second Booster Shots

The following individuals are eligible for a second booster shot with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if they received their first booster shot at least 4 months ago:

Þ All people age 50+.

Þ People age 12-49 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Þ People age 18-49 who received their initial vaccination series and first booster shot with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine, Safety, and Containment Information

· "Do I need to get a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine?" Here’s Dr. Peter Marks with the answer: Just a Minute! video

· Two new versions of Omicron are gaining ground in the U.S., according to C.D.C. estimates (NY Times)

· How Long Does Covid Immunity Last? Will a Second Illness Be Worse? How Can I Prepare? (NY Times)

· Researchers are studying long COVID in kids -- here's what they know so far (ABC News)

· Long Covid Is Showing Up in the Employment Data (Bloomberg.com)

Monkeypox Updates

Although Monkeypox is much less contagious than the Coronavirus, it is causing concern as we learn about additional cases being identified in the City. The NYC Health Department provided the following information that is helpful to know:

· Monkeypox belongs in the Orthopox virus family. People who are testing positive for Orthopox are being treated as if they have Monkeypox for purposes of isolation and contact tracing.

· Monkeypox has been identified in certain communities in Europe, Canada, and the U.S. There are currently 19 cases in NYC.

· The majority of people who have tested positive for Orthopox to date are men who have sex with men; however, anyone is able to get this virus.

· Spread is from direct contact. People who live with roommates or family members can spread the virus to each other if someone has an open sore or wound.

· Signs of Monkeypox include a rash on the palm of one’s hands, on soles of the feet, or on sites of sexual contact.

· If a person believes they have Monkeypox, they should isolate and see a doctor.

For additional information, you can review the following resources:

· NYC DOHMH Monkeypox web page: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page

· CDC map of cases: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/world-map.html

· CDC info sheet on social gatherings, safer sex, and Monkeypox: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/pdf/MPX_Social_Gatherings_Safer_Sex-508.pdf

Stay safe and healthy. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535. If you need assistance with an unemployment issue, please follow this link to complete an unemployment intake web form so that my office can provide assistance: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF5eMgY_Jrjh_1_qXlx0ri7coPS01j4GvWJ4Lu7mpWTG2kNQ/viewform.

Safety Practices to Protect Yourself and Others from Contracting COVID-19:

Wear a face covering as required by law or regulations, in public indoor settings.
Maintain social distance as required based on your health condition and comfort level.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or with hand sanitizer.
If you are not feeling well or test positive for COVID-19, please wear a mask and stay home.

If you are unvaccinated, continue to practice COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect your health and wellbeing, as well as that of your loved ones and community members.

Best,

Liz Krueger

State Senator