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CP State developing clinician training program to improve treatment of patients with I/DD

Posted on February 24, 2021 by - Grant, News

 

Funded by a $440,000 grant from The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State will establish a best-practices training program for clinicians to ensure healthcare equity for people with disabilities.

“The unique characteristics and needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) makes optimal healthcare very challenging,” said Mike Alvaro, Executive Director of CP State. “We hope to create an accessible training series that will increase clinicians’ ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with I/DD — making a giant step forward in the disability community’s access to quality care.”

Research has shown that people with disabilities fare much worse across a range of health indicators than individual without disabilities.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in three people ages 18 to 44 with disabilities did not have a usual health care provider and had a health care need that went unmet in the last year due to cost.

CP State will spend the next six months developing the clinician training series. A steering committee of doctors, clinicians and others healthcare officials will take inventory of existing training sessions, then develop material to fill in the gaps. After the committee assesses the need for material and how they will be developed, we will announce a start date for the trainings.

The award is part of Cabrini’s more-than 400 year-end 2020 grants totaling $115 million to support organizations and programs addressing the health-related needs of low-income residents and underserved communities across New York State.

This is in addition to $50 million in funding authorized for emergency COVID-19 programs earlier in 2020. In all, the Foundation’s $165 million in 2020 funding has or will support 650 programs to improve health and human services during a time of unprecedented need. In the two years since its inception, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling $315 million.

The $115 million in new grants will support programs in 2021, including $5 million in a three-year strategic effort focused on improving oral health access and outcomes in underserved communities.

“These grants demonstrate our continued commitment to support a wide range of organizations improving the health and well-being of New York’s most vulnerable.  Our grantees are providing crucial support at a pivotal moment, when so many across the State face challenges that are complicated by the impacts of COVID-19.” said Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Visa and Chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Board.

“We’re very appreciative of the support we’ve gotten from The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation,” said Alvaro. “They’ve been a wonderful partner in realizing our Community Health Outreach Program grants and we’re thrilled to begin work on this important training program.  The mission of CP State is to make life better for people with disabilities.  The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation helps us do that.”

Seven-day COVID-19 positive average under 4%

Posted on February 15, 2021 by - News

Today’s Governor Cuomo Press Briefing took place at the State Capitol. The Governor was joined by:

·       Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor;

·       Robert Mujica, Budget Director;

·       Dr. Howard Zucker, NYS Department of Health Commissioner;

·       Elizabeth Garvey, Special Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Governor; and

·       Gareth Rhodes, Deputy Superintendent & Special Counsel at NYS Department of Financial Services.

·       COVID-19 DATA FROM 2/14:

·       Statewide Positivity Rate: 3.53%

·       Seven-day Average Positivity Rate: 3.74%

·       Test Results Reported: 180,504

·       Current Hospitalizations: 6,623 (+30)

·       Patients Currently in ICU: 1,270 (-15)

·       Patients Currently Intubated: 875 (-6)

·       Deaths: 103

·       Total NY Pandemic Deaths: 37,221

 

·       REGIONAL HOSPITALIZATION AND SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE POSITIVITY RATES:

    • Capital Region

§  248 hospitalized

§  2.34% positivity rate

    • Central New York

§  129 hospitalized

§  1.67% positivity rate

    • Finger Lakes

§  325 hospitalized

§  2.31% positivity rate

    • Long Island

§  1,115 hospitalized

§  4.62% positivity rate

    • Mid-Hudson

§  688 hospitalized

§  4.53% positivity rate

    • Mohawk Valley

§  140 hospitalized

§  2.23% positivity rate

    • New York City

§  3,476 hospitalized

§  4.47% positivity rate

    • North Country

§  68 hospitalized

§  3.98% positivity rate

    • Southern Tier

§  154 hospitalized

§  0.82% positivity rate

    • Western New York

§  280 hospitalized

§  3.25% positivity rate

·       POST-HOLIDAY SURGE: Today marks the 38th straight day of decline in the statewide seven-day average COVID-19 positivity rate. Additionally, the number of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 continues to decrease.

 

·       NEW VARIANTS: The Governor announced there is a patient in a New York City hospital who has tested positive for the South African variant. The patient, who is not a New York State resident, was transferred from Connecticut directly to the New York City hospital for a procedure. There is no evidence at this time of any spread of the South African variant in New York State.

 

·       VACCINE: New York has administered a total of 3,206,914 vaccinations statewide, including 2,199,688 first doses and 1,007,226 second doses. Over one million New Yorkers are now fully vaccinated.

 

·       VACCINE DISTRIBUTION: The National Vaccine Distribution System has grown to include many different types of distribution points receiving vaccines through a complex allocation scheme. The Governor indicated that while this system results in many different options for individuals to find a distribution site, it also causes confusion. Since there is currently a low supply of vaccines, the system can be frustrating. However, as supply increases, the large amount of distribution points will help maximize the number of dosages that can be administered as quickly as possible.

    • Today, the National Governor’s Association sent a letter to President Biden asking for there to be coordination between the Federal Government and the states on the direct vaccine allocations to pharmacies and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The letter can be found here.

 

·       METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (MTA): Patrick Foye, Chairman and CEO of the MTA, and Sarah Feinberg, Interim President of the New York City Transit Authority, joined the briefing via teleconference. Chairman Foye addressed the violence over the weekend in the New York City transit system which impacted four total victims and resulted in two fatalities. Chairman Foye has asked New York City for an additional 1,000 New York Police Department (NYPD) officers to be assigned to patrol the subways and mass transit systems.

 

  • Chairman Foye announced that the MTA is pursuing a goal of beginning a phased reopening of the New York City subway system starting on Monday, February 22nd. Subways have been closed from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. since May 6th to facilitate deep cleaning protocols. Under the new plan, subways will stay open until 2:00 a.m. and reopen at 4:00 a.m. During the close-down period, the subway trains and stations will continue to undergo deep cleaning and sanitation protocols to protect passengers from COVID-19.

 

·       RECREATIONAL ADULT-USE CANNABIS: Governor Cuomo announced that he will submit amendments this week to the proposed adult-use cannabis program that was included in the Executive Budget. Since authorizing an adult-use cannabis program is seen as a controversial topic, Governor Cuomo stated that the issue needs to be settled as part of the State Budget. If it is not settled as part of the budget, the Governor predicted it will not get done at all, which he believes would be a mistake.

 

·       EMERGENCY POWERS: Governor Cuomo addressed recent calls for the revocation of the emergency powers that were authorized by the legislature in order to combat COVID-19. The Governor stated these powers have nothing to do with nursing homes and that he has taken hundreds of actions and not one has been reversed by the Legislature. He said these decisions are made for the public health, and should not be made through politics or at the local level.

  • A reporter asked the Governor for a reaction to reports that some lawmakers have suggested using subpoenas and a revocation of the emergency powers as leverage in budget negotiations. Governor Cuomo said it is a crime to threaten subpoenas or an investigation to gain leverage over a person. This would be an abuse of process and extortion.

 

·       NURSING HOMES: Governor Cuomo addressed the ongoing discussion of the State’s handling of nursing home residents during the pandemic. The Governor said that losing a loved one is very painful and providing facts for grieving families is essential. Over the past year this issue has been distorted by politics. Below is a timeline of events laid out by the Governor:

 

  • The Governor stated that New York State voluntarily complied with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) request for information. Meanwhile, the State paused the request for information from the State Legislature while they complied with the Federal request. He stated that staff in both Houses of the Legislature were informed that the DOJ request would be given preference.

  • Governor Cuomo stressed that throughout the pandemic New York State has consulted with the leading medical experts from around the globe. All deaths in nursing homes and hospitals were fully, publicly, and accurately reported. However, lessons were learned as the State navigated the pandemic and hospital and nursing home care must be improved before the next surge or pandemic.

  • In his 30-day amendments, due by Thursday February 18th, the Governor stated he will include reforms to the private hospital and nursing home systems. These reforms will focus on “for-profit” nursing homes. According to the Governor, there is tension in these facilities between patient care and profit.

  • Governor Cuomo expressed regret for not providing information to the public in real-time, creating a void that was filled with skepticism, cynicism, and conspiracy theories. This resulted in more anxiety for the families of loved ones who suffered from COVID-19.

Virtual Lobby Days begin Feb. 22

Posted on February 15, 2021 by - News

CP State and our colleagues (Alliance of Long Island Agencies/ALIA, Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York/DDAWNY, Interagency Council/IAC and the NY Association of Emerging and Multicultural Providers/NYAEMP) will be conducting our annual Legislative Advocacy Days virtually during the weeks of February 22 and March 1.
We will be setting up Zoom meetings with Senate and Assembly Developmental Disability, Education and Health Committee members, key legislative and Governor’s staff. Executive Directors or senior staff who would like to attend these Zoom meetings should contact Barbara Crosier at bcrosier@cpstate.org.
Affiliates should continue to reach out to and meet with their rank-and-file legislators. Please let us know if you need assistance setting up Zoom meetings with them.
CP State continues to coordinate with NYDA to present a unified response to this year’s Executive Budget proposal covering services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in adults services (OPWDD), Special Education (SED), and (DOH) Early Intervention and Clinics.
Our tentative Legislative Advocacy schedule includes:
Week One
  • Monday, February 22—Legislative Day Briefings, approximately 60-90 minutes at 11AM and 3 PM. Please attend one of these briefings if you plan to attend virtual Zoom meetings with the legislators.
  • Tuesday, February 23—Tuesday AM presentations from Legislative Leadership and special Leadership appointments.
  • Wednesday, February 24 and Thursday, February 25, Legislative Virtual Visits between 9AM to 5 PM.
  • Thursday, February 25th, Virtual Debrief at 5 PM. Instead of gathering at the Albany Hilton’s Lounge, please join us from your own Home Lounge.
Week Two
  • Monday, March 1 through Thursday, March 4, legislative Virtual Visits from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 4, Virtual Debrief, Round 2.
  • Friday, March 5 – additional appointments for all but NYC Providers who have the 5 Borough Legislative Breakfasts from 10 a.m. to noon.
While this year’s Lobby Days are not in person, we will be advocating for our OPWDD, Special Education, Clinic and Early Intervention supports and services. We will provide you with our priorities and talking points for you to use during Advocacy Days and with your own individual Senators and Assemblymembers.
Additionally, you can click here to use CP State’s one-click advocacy tool to contact your legislators and the Governor with our priority budget items. Please share that link with your supporters!
Please let Barbara Crosier or Bill DeVoe know if you need any assistance.

Susan Constantino, on behalf of NYDA, testifies at Mental Hygiene Budget Hearing

Posted on February 5, 2021 by - CP

Non-profit providers of supports to New Yorkers with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) today urged State leaders to invest in the system that serves our most vulnerable residents. The critical role the I/DD sector plays in our health care system was once again ignored in the Executive Budget—leaving these critical services in jeopardy. The I/DD sector is urging State leaders for care, not cuts, as the sector provides critical care, thousands of jobs to individuals, and has long been an economic engine across the State.

New Yorkers with I/DD, and those who serve them, face continued uncertainty due to chronic underfunding of programs as well as services and lack of investment in the workforce. Additional proposed cuts in the Executive Budget for non-for-profit providers, who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, put these critical services at further risk.

“Over the past decade, providers of supports and services to the I/DD community have been asked to do more with less, but now the service delivery system is on the brink of collapse,” said Susan Constantino, President & CEO of Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State. “In order to save this vital system, we are urging the State to reverse budget cuts, invest in our workforce, and reject the deferral of COLA for OPWDD programs. The critical services to individuals with I/DD are in jeopardy, and we need care from our State leaders, not cuts.”

CARE NOT CUTS

From March 1st through October 31st, not-for-profit providers incurred significant financial impacts directly as a result of the pandemic. On top of these unforeseen and unreimbursed expenses, the Executive budget includes crippling cuts for certified residential programs. These cuts, initially effective October 1 have been delayed until May 1, only months away. These actions combined will remove an additional $330 million from the service delivery system, when providers are already besieged with losses and added expenses due to the pandemic.

We are in need of care from our State leaders, and all cuts to the I/DD system must be reversed and funding restored to save as well as sustain the services that provide for New York’s most vulnerable.

NEW YORK NEEDS DSPs

New York needs Direct Support Professionals as they are the foundation of the I/DD care system. Unfortunately, that foundation is crumbling as the pandemic continues, and the current staffing situation is rapidly deteriorating.

To save and invest in our workforce, we are urging the State to:

  • Include I/DD providers and DSPs in any workforce development, education, and training initiatives enacted in the budget to address the significant workforce challenges our sector is facing.
  • Amend the New York Paid Sick Leave Law to authorize paid sick leave for COVID-19 vaccinations.

COLA CAN’T WAIT

The continued deferral of the statutory Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for over a decade has significantly deprived providers of vital resources needed to maintain operations. The system cannot wait another year—we need investment from the State to sustain the critical services for New Yorkers with I/DD.

 

I/DD included in eligibility expansion for COVID-19 vaccine starting Feb. 15

Posted on February 5, 2021 by - News

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a press release today announcing a list of underlying conditions that would make an individual eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning February 15. While Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is listed in the expansion, CP State has yet to receive clear direction from OPWDD/Governor’s office that in fact all adults with I/DD are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine as of February 15. We will continue to seek clarification given the confusion following last week’s announcement in the Governor’s briefing.

Press release follows:

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES LIST OF COMORBIDITIES AND UNDERLYING CONDITIONS ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINE STARTING FEBRUARY 15

Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, Pulmonary Disease, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Heart Conditions, Immunocompromised State, Severe Obesity, Pregnancy, Sickle Cell Disease or Thalassemia, Type 1 or 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Cerebrovascular Disease, Neurologic Conditions and Liver Disease Will Be Eligible

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today released the list of comorbidities and underlying conditions that New York State will use to determine eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. New Yorkers who have one of the comorbidities on the list will be eligible for the vaccine beginning February 15.

“New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions exist throughout the state’s population—they’re our teachers, lawyers and carpenters, in addition to the doctors who keep us safe every day, and they are a highly affected population,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’re committed to vaccinating vulnerable populations that have suffered the most as we distribute a strictly limited supply of vaccines, and people with comorbidities are 94 percent of the state’s COVID deaths. That’s why we’ll open eligibility to people with comorbidities starting February 15 and give hospitals the ability to use extra doses they have to address that population. Local governments have a week to prepare for the new change—they need to get ready now.”

The full list of comorbidities and underlying conditions is available below. The list is subject to change as additional scientific evidence is published and as New York State obtains and analyzes additional state-specific data.

Adults of any age with the following conditions due to increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from the virus that causes COVID-19:

  • Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Pulmonary Disease, including but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11 related pulmonary diseases
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities including Down Syndrome
  • Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, or other causes
  • Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2), Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus 
  • Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
  • Neurologic conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia
  • Liver disease

OPWDD Critical COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Posted on February 1, 2021 by - Uncategorized

The following letter was sent by OPWDD Deputy Commissioner Leslie Fuld to providers late Sunday, Jan. 31:

Dear Providers,

As you are aware, the Federal Government has made a commitment to increase the supply of COVID-19 vaccine to states for a minimum of three weeks. We are hopeful this commitment will be extended and further increased.

Beginning this week and going forward, all Local Health Departments (LHDs) will be coordinating with OPWDD and working with providers in their counties to prioritize and vaccinate residents and eligible staff of certified residential facilities as quickly as possible and in the most appropriate manner.  As you know, staff of OPWDD certified day programs and other community-based and self-directed staff are also eligible for vaccination as part of phase 1a of the NYS vaccine program. OPWDD will work with you over the upcoming week to refine its understanding of the numbers of this type of staff working in each county so that additional direction can be provided to the counties.

All LHDs must accept the NYSDOH consent form for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The form can be found here.

It is imperative all agencies continually monitor communications from OPWDD and their LHD beginning immediately to facilitate sharing of information.  OPWDD will communicate using the CEO/Director emails and the agency dedicated mailboxes. The LHDs have been provided with this same contact information for programs in their county.

Please submit any questions to opwdd.sm.EOC_Activation@opwdd.ny.gov .

Thank you for your assistance in this matter of critical importance.

NY administers nearly 2 million vaccine doses

Posted on February 1, 2021 by - News

Governor Cuomo Press Briefing

  • Today’s briefing took place at the Governor’s New York City Office. The Governor was joined by:
    • Sarah Feinberg, Interim President of the New York City Transit Authority (NYC Transit);
    • Patrick Foye, Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA);
    • Rick Cotton, Executive Director of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and
    • Michael Kopy, Director of Emergency Management.
  • COVID-19 DATA FROM 1/31:
    • Test Results Reported: 175,038
    • Total Positive: 8,508
    • Percent Positive: 4.86%
    • Patient Hospitalization: 8,003 (+27)
    • Patients Newly Admitted: 730
    • Hospital Counties: 57
    • Number ICU: 1,500 (-34)
    • Number ICU with Intubation: 987 (-21)
    • Total Discharges: 128,354 (+556)
    • Deaths: 141
    • Total Deaths: 35,319
  • REGIONAL HOSPITALIZATION AND POSITIVITY RATES:
    • Capital Region
      • 416 hospitalized
      • 4.90% positivity rate
    • Central New York
      • 200 hospitalized
      • 3.14% positivity rate
    • Finger Lakes
      • 554 hospitalized
      • 3.86% positivity rate
    • Long Island
      • 1,405 hospitalized
      • 6.19% positivity rate
    • Mid-Hudson
      • 933 hospitalized
      • 6.03% positivity rate
    • Mohawk Valley
      • 219 hospitalized
      • 4.41% positivity rate
    • New York City
      • 3,559 hospitalized
      • 5.18% positivity rate
    • North Country
      • 93 hospitalized
      • 5.68% positivity rate
    • Southern Tier
      • 237 hospitalized
      • 2.07% positivity rate
    • Western New York
      • 387 hospitalized
      • 5.13% positivity rate

 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION STATISTICS AS OF NOON 2/1:

 First Doses Received: 1,554,450

    • First Doses Administered: 1,393,064; 90%
    • Second Doses Received: 725,050
    • Second Doses Administered: 307,662

 SNOW STORM: Governor Cuomo urged caution as snowfall over the next forty-eight hours is expected to be heavy in several areas of the State. Roadways in the New York City area are dangerous and are already impassable in certain places. The rate of snowfall is expected to be higher than two inches per hour, which means it will be difficult for snowplows to maintain roadways. The storm is projected to continue into Tuesday evening.

The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in forty-four counties, and urged non-essential workers to avoid travel. He noted there will be interruptions and suspensions to mass transit services. Further, the Governor warned that several major roadways in downstate New York may close if snow removal efforts can not keep up with the rate of snowfall.

 

  • VACCINE: New York has administered 1.96 million vaccine doses. The Governor stated that appointments at State-run facilities scheduled for today are being postponed due to the snow storm. Secretary to the Governor, Melissa DeRosa clarified on social media that current closures are for downstate sites only at this time.

 

    • Supply of the vaccine from the Federal Government remains an ongoing problem. The Governor restated that New York State is capable of administering more doses than are currently arriving from the Federal Government.

 

  • POST-HOLIDAY SURGE: New York’s positivity rate continues to decline, but Governor Cuomo warned that the new strains of COVID-19 could result in a change in that trend.

 

  • VACCINE ACCESS FOR SENIORS: When asked how the State could assist seniors who may not have familiarity with making online appointments, Governor Cuomo said the State has a phone number (1-833-NYS-4-VAX) anyone can call to talk to a live person to make an appointment.

 

  • NYC INDOOR DINING: A reporter asked about the decision to reopen indoor dining in New York City and whether restaurant workers will be eligible for a vaccine. Governor Cuomo said that the decision to reopen indoor dining was made while considering the economic impact and potential public health concerns. New York’s positivity rate has consistently declined in recent weeks. It’s not realistic to wait until all COVID-19 public health concerns have been alleviated to reopen the economy. In order to make restaurant workers eligible for the vaccine, supply would have to increase dramatically from the Federal Government. Without increased allocations, including restaurants workers would diminish existing supply for other eligible groups. The Governor once again challenged the politicians pushing for the addition of restaurant workers to indicate who they would subtract from eligibility so it would be possible.

Virtual Lobby Days Feb. 22-March 5

Posted on January 26, 2021 by - News

Advocate for the people you love!

Join CP State, ALIA, DDAWNY, IAC, and NYAEMP for our 2021 Virtual Lobby Days from February 22 to March 5.

Registration and more information coming soon.

Gov says NY has a vaccine supply problem, not distribution problem

Posted on January 25, 2021 by - News

Governor Cuomo Press Briefing

The Governor’s January 25 press briefing took place at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. The Governor was joined by:

    • Kathy Hochul, Lieutenant Governor; and
    • Gareth Rhodes, Deputy Superintendent & Special Counsel at NYS Department of Financial Services.
  • COVID-19 DATA FROM 1/24:
    • Statewide Positivity Rate – 5.47%
    • Test Results Reported – 219,538
    • Statewide Deaths – 167
    • Current Hospitalizations – 8,730 (+117)
    • Patients Currently in ICU – 1,522 (-5)
    • Patients Currently Intubated – 1,005 (+8)
    • Total NY Pandemic Deaths – 34,242
  • REGIONAL HOSPITALIZATION AND POSITIVITY RATES:
    • Capital Region
      • 503 hospitalized
      • 6.43% positivity rate
    • Central New York
      • 259 hospitalized
      • 4.84% positivity rate
    • Finger Lakes
      • 701 hospitalized
      • 5.24% positivity rate
    • Long Island
      • 1,594 hospitalized
      • 6.92% positivity rate
    • Mid-Hudson
      • 1,030 hospitalized
      • 6.77% positivity rate
    • Mohawk Valley
      • 251 hospitalized
      • 6.61% positivity rate
    • New York City
      • 3,638 hospitalized
      • 5.57% positivity rate
    • North Country
      • 97 hospitalized
      • 6.54% positivity rate
    • Southern Tier
      • 248 hospitalized
      • 3.10% positivity rate
    • Western New York
      • 409 hospitalized
      • 5.70% positivity rate

  • STATEWIDE AREAS OF CONCERN: The Finger Lakes and Long Island Regions remain areas of concern, as well as the Bronx in New York City. The State will be focusing on those three areas.

  • POST-HOLIDAY EFFECT: The positivity rate continues to decline from the post-holiday spike. The statewide positivity rate is at 5.85%, this is down from 7.94% in the beginning of January. Both the hospitalization rate and rate of transmission have declined as well.
    • The Governor stressed the most important number is the rate of transmission, which shows for every person infected how many people they will, in turn, infect. At New York’s high point 1 person was infecting 2.5 people. The ideal transmission rate is below 1, which is where New York is right now.
    • Due to the post-holiday spike now decreasing, the State will be making some adjustments to open up more economic activity. The Department of Health currently is reviewing the data. As of today, the Governor announced that elective surgeries may resume in Erie County. He indicated there will be more adjustments announced over the coming days.
    • When asked by a reporter if indoor dining in New York City will be included as a part of these adjustments, the Governor stated the focus will be more on micro-cluster zone designations. They are not contemplating a change for indoor dining for New York City at this time.

  • NEW STRAINS: The Governor urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant. There have been new COVID-19 strains discovered, such as the UK strain, the South African strain and now the California strain. The virus has been ahead of us every step of the way.

 

  • VACCINE: New York has administered over 1.5 million total vaccine doses to date, with 91% of the first doses administered. The Governor congratulated all of the providers involved in this effort.

 

  • VACCINE SUPPLY: The Governor clarified that New York does not “run out” of the vaccine. Rather, the State receives a weekly allocation from the Federal government. The 91% administered vaccines refers to the amount the State has received to date.

 

    • When asked by a reporter when the State anticipates receiving more than 250,000 doses per week, the Governor said that the states find out their allocations week-to-week, which makes planning more difficult. New York continues to work with the Federal government on this issue.

 

  • VACCINE DISTRIBUTION: New York has 3,000 sites ready for distribution. The Governor indicated that National Guard will be operating mass vaccination sites. Between the State and localities, New York has the ability to distribute millions of doses, but does not have the supply to do so.  The Governor reminded that the lack of supply is a national and international issue, not just New York.

  • HOSPITAL WORKERS: Hospital capacity remains a top concern. The Governor stressed how important it is that hospitals do not reach capacity, or have a staff shortage due to healthcare workers getting sick from COVID-19. To that end, the State remains focused on the vaccination of healthcare workers. Over the past week hospitals dramatically increased their rate of vaccinations from 63% to 72%. While the Governor applauded hospitals for their work, he stated there is still concern regarding the variance of vaccination rates among hospitals in each region. The Governor called upon local governments to ask those performing at a lower level to reach out to those hospitals to ask what they need to help get their percentages up and fix this disparity.

 

  • VACCINE ELIGIBILITY: While vaccine supply is limited it is important that New York remains fair in its distribution. The current eligible groups include healthcare workers, essential workers and those 65-years-of-age plus. The vaccines are distributed to different providers who each have a population they are prioritizing. The Governor reminded providers to not schedule appointments unless they have a specific allocation.

 

  • VACCINE FRAUD: New York is launching a new hotline to report vaccine fraud and abuse. There is a high demand for the vaccines, and the State has already seen scams.

 

  • PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS PREPARDNESS: The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of being prepared for the next public health crisis. New York is using this opportunity to put in place the best public health operation in the State in order to have the operational capacity and the competence to administer a plan.

  • FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – COVID-19: The Governor believes that the Biden administration understands the importance of public health and has taken long overdue actions, such as the national mask mandate. New York will be working alongside the Federal Government to address the ongoing pandemic. Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa is working with the Biden administration on their COVID-19 response, and the National Governor’s Association has a call with the White House tomorrow to discuss these issues.

 

  • FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – ECONOMY: The Governor called upon the Federal Government to repeal SALT and to provide state and local funding so states can recover without having to make drastic cuts or lay off essential workers. He reiterated that New York needs $15 billion in COVID-19 relief.

 

  • BUFFALO BILLS: The Governor thanked the Buffalo Bills for a great season. It has been many years since Buffalo Bills fans had the opportunity to watch the team play for the AFC championship. The team has a lot of great talent and young talent; and last night’s outcome does not diminish the accomplishments achieved. The Governor thanked owners Kim and Terry Pegula, Coach Sean McDermott and General Manager Brandon Beane for all of their hard work to get fans in the stands safely. The approximately 7,000 fans the Bills had for each of their home playoff games felt like 70,000 – and that’s the Buffalo way. 

 

    • When asked by a reporter if contact tracing following the Bills home playoff games showed the spread of COVID-19, the Governor stated he does not believe that any spread was found, and reminded that this was a demonstration model. Everyone who attended the game was tested, socially distanced, wore masks, etc. All of this is key to reopening the economy.