Dear Neighbor,
I hope that you have an enjoyable July 4th holiday. The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display will be held in the East River on Monday, starting at approximately 9:20 p.m. Click here to see a map of official viewing points. You can also take a look at Time Out’s 4th of July in NYC Guide and MarcoFeng’s 15 Fun 4th of July Things To Do in New York City for other activity ideas. Please celebrate safely, as our COVID-19 case rates are starting to go up again.
Please Note: My office will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. If you have any questions, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535 and leave a message.
Contents:
· New York City COVID-19 Updates
· New York State COVID-19 Updates
· COVID-19 Testing Updates: City and Privately-Run Testing Sites
· COVID-19 Vaccination Resources: Vaccination Scheduling, Site, and Eligibility Information
· COVID-19 Vaccine, Safety, and Containment Information
COVID-19 Vaccinations
· NYC Vaccine Finder: Find COVID-19 vaccine sites online or call 877-829-4692
· City-Run Vaccine Sites: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online
· NYC Health + Hospitals Vaccine Sites: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online
· 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
COVID-19 Testing
· Find NYC Health + Hospital Testing Sites
· Check the wait time at NYC Health + Hospital Testing Sites
· NYC COVID-19 Test Site Finder
· Find a COVID-19 Test Site in New York State
· Request at-home COVID-19 diagnostic testing (for New Yorkers who are immunocompromised or age 65+) by calling 929-298-9400
COVID-19 Data
· NYC COVID-19 Alert Level System
· NYC Health Department COVID-19 Data
· NYS Health Department COVID-19 Data
· Check the transmission level in your neighborhood at: NYC Health Department COVID-19 data web page. Click “Transmission” and then “Your Neighborhood.”
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 Updates
Following a brief period of decline in COVID-19 case rates, NYC experienced a plateau, and now case rates are trending upwards. Since my last COVID-19 updates email, the City COVID-19 Alert Level had been lowered to Yellow/Medium, based on Coronavirus case and hospitalization rates decreasing below a certain threshold. Due to the shorter periods of time we are experiencing between changes in case trajectories, the NYC COVID-19 Alert Level System has been temporarily paused so that Health Department specialists can reevaluate what this trend means for shifting alert levels.
On June 29, 6,737 people tested positive for COVID-19 in NYS and 3,848 individuals tested positive in NYC. The statewide 7-day average of cases per 100K was 27.76. The highest 7-day average was 36.96 in NYC. According to NYS hospitalization data, as of June 29, there were 1,990 people hospitalized statewide due to COVID-19, with 192 individuals in the ICU. In NYC, there were 877 Coronavirus patients hospitalized, with 96 individuals in the ICU. As of June 27, the 7-day average of deaths in NYC, confirmed and probable, was 9.
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 17% of cases, BA.2.12.1 is causing 56% of cases, and BA.4 and BA.5 are causing 27% of cases.
Although at this moment, we do not have a designated COVID-19 Alert Level, it has been noted that our case rates plateaued at a high level before they started to go up again. This pattern is attributed to fewer people wearing masks, an increase in cases being caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of concern, and New Yorkers participating in more social activities. Dr. Jay Varma opined that this may be the start of a BA.4/BA.5 surge. Based on the current state of the Coronavirus in New York City, the NYC Health Department continues to strongly recommends that we follow COVID-19 safety measures, including staying up to date with Coronavirus vaccinations (getting the initial vaccine series and all booster shots as eligible), 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.
· June 27: New York City Council Committee on Hospitals and Subcommittee on COVID Recovery and Resiliency Hearing – Oversight – Long-Term COVID Treatment in New York City Hospitals. If you were unable to watch the hearing, you can click the link to view a recording.
New York State COVID-19 Updates
· As of Thursday, June 30th, the statewide number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York State was 5,567,871. As of 2:30 p.m., the number of positive cases in NYC was 2,200,897. 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 56,560 New Yorkers, including 35,198 residents of New York City. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones of the deceased.
· 6/30: Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
o Cases Per 100k - 34.47
o 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 27.76
o Test Results Reported - 74,439
o Total Positive - 6,737
o Percent Positive - 8.88%**
o 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.91%
o Patient Hospitalization - 1,990 (-57)
o Patients Newly Admitted - 334
o Patients in ICU - 192 (+6)
o Patients in ICU with Intubation - 77 (+4)
o Total Discharges - 315,794 (+365)
o New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 15
o Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,560
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.
o Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 72,079
This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.
Each region's 7-day average of cases per 100K population is as follows:
|
REGION |
Monday, June 27, 2022 |
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 |
|
Capital Region |
15.00 |
15.26 |
15.63 |
|
Central New York |
10.85 |
10.85 |
11.03 |
|
Finger Lakes |
12.43 |
13.59 |
13.75 |
|
Long Island |
32.76 |
33.75 |
34.02 |
|
Mid-Hudson |
25.02 |
26.18 |
26.25 |
|
Mohawk Valley |
11.95 |
12.33 |
12.01 |
|
New York City |
34.50 |
36.31 |
36.96 |
|
North Country |
9.92 |
9.92 |
10.50 |
|
Southern Tier |
11.19 |
11.37 |
11.35 |
|
Western New York |
11.10 |
11.28 |
10.86 |
|
Statewide |
26.25 |
27.42 |
27.76 |
CDC Updates
· CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children
· Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Teens
· CDC Recommends Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Adolescents
CDC Reports
FDA Updates
· June 28: FDA Roundup including authorization of an extension to the shelf-life of the refrigerated AstraZeneca monoclonal antibody, Evusheld, which is currently authorized for emergency use for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in certain adults and pediatric individuals. Consumers concerned about COVID-19 should consult with their health care provider.
· June 28: Shelf-Life Extension of Evusheld under Emergency Use Authorization
· June 27: 2021 Office of New Drugs Annual Report (PDF), including efforts during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically related to trial designs for COVID-19 therapies, collaboration with drug sponsors, and issuance of guidances addressing the impact of emergent variants on drug development.
· Children and Adolescents Age 5 – 17 Are Eligible for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccinations: When the FDA Advisory Committee voted to recommend authorization of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for use with children age 6 months – 4 years, members also recommended authorization of the Moderna vaccine for use with children and adolescents age 5 – 17 years. On June 17, the FDA issued authorization and on June 24, the CDC provided authorization. Children and adolescents age 5 – 17 may now get vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
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: 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 Vaccination Resources: Vaccination Scheduling, Site, and 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 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
· Important Update: the MTA Pop-Up Vaccine Sites that have been providing COVID-19 vaccinations at Times Square, 42nd Street (in the passageway between the 1, 2, 3, and S trains) and Grand Central Terminal have been closed and removed as of the end of the day on June 30.
· 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.
· Important Update: NYC In-Home Vaccination Program: The In-Home Vaccination Program now offers Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations to NYC residents who are homebound or who are age 65 or above. 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 6 months – 4 years are eligible for the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.
o COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 6 Months to 4 Years: Frequently Asked Questions
Þ All children and adolescents age 5-17 are eligible for the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.
o COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5 to 17: Frequently Asked Questions
o 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 18+ are eligible for the Moderna or Pfizer
COVID-19 vaccination, and in some situations, adults are approved to receive
the Johnson & Johnson vaccine; however, the CDC and NYC Health Department prefer
that individuals 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
· The Latest on COVID Testing and Summer Travel (with Drs. Michael Mina and Patrice Harris) (In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt)
· How Omicron Changes Your Odds of Long COVID (In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt)
· What to Know About the Covid Vaccine for Little Kids (NY Times)
· BA.4 and BA.5 will soon dominate across the Americas, a regional W.H.O. official says (NY Times)
· Fauci says he believes Paxlovid kept him out of the hospital, even though he tested positive again (NY Times)
· The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met virtually on June 28, to discuss whether and how the SARS-CoV-2 strain composition of COVID-19 vaccines should be modified. View the recording
· This Fall Will Be a Vaccination Reboot - For the first time, COVID vaccines are getting an update in the U.S. But Americans still need to be persuaded to take them (The Atlantic)
As of July 1, 87 cases of Monkeypox had been confirmed in NYC. In response to the increasing number of cases, a Monkeypox vaccine clinic was opened last week; however, there is currently a vaccine shortage in NYC. The CDC allotted the City 1000 doses of JYNNEOS vaccine, which were quickly administered to people seeking the vaccination.
The NYC Health Department has been communicating with the federal government about the need for more Monkeypox vaccine. The federal government announced that New York State will receive just over 8,000 doses in the near future, approximately 6,000 of which will go to NYC. Once these doses are received, the NYC Health Department will post information on its Monkeypox web page about how eligible New Yorkers can make a vaccination appointment. The federal government is in the process increasing its supply of Monkeypox vaccine and will be distributing additional allocations in the coming months.
To date, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men have contracted Monkeypox in NYC; however, there are confirmed cases of Monkeypox in women and children in other countries. Anyone can get and spread Monkeypox. Please visit the NYC Health Department Monkeypox web page for additional information about Monkeypox symptoms, prevention, what to do if you have symptoms, and updates regarding availability of vaccine. I will also provide updates as new information is made available. If you suspect that you might have Monkeypox, the NYC Health Department advises that you speak with your health care provider, stay home, and separate from anyone in your household.
For additional information, you can review the following resources:
· CDC Activates Emergency Operations Center for Monkeypox Response (CDC)
· What You Need to Know About Monkeypox (KHN)
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.
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Best,
Liz Krueger
State Senator
Albany Office: Legislative Office Building, Room 808 | Albany, NY 12247 | (518) 455-2297 | Fax: (518) 426-6874
Email: [email protected] | On the Web: http://wwwnysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger
Facebook: /statesenatorlizkrueger | Twitter: @LizKrueger | Instagram: @senatorlizkrueger