LIVE: NY Gov. Cuomo Holds News Conference

5,007 views•Streamed live on Apr 26, 20218053SHARESAVENBC New York287K subscribersSUBSCRIBENY Gov. Andrew Cuomo updates on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s critical for us to make the vaccine as accessible as possible and provide all opportunities for New Yorkers to get vaccinated. Beginning Thursday, April 29, all New York State mass vaccination sites will open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first-come, first-serve basis for all. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only—second-dose appointments will be scheduled immediately after New Yorkers receive their first dose. This new approach means any eligible New Yorker age 16 and older will be able to walk into any mass vaccination site and walk out with a shot in arm, eliminating the need to make an appointment online or by phone. We’ll continue to work 24/7 to get the vaccine to communities across the state so everyone can be vaccinated. So roll up your sleeve and let’s get vaccinated, New York. 

Photo of the Day: The Binghamton University mass vaccination site will move indoors to accommodate more vaccinations (Photo by Mike Groll)

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:

1. New York will adopt the new CDC mask guidance for fully vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated individuals can conduct outdoor activities or gather without wearing a mask outdoors except in certain crowded settings and venues. Read the full CDC guidance. 

2. COVID hospitalizations rose slightly to 3,184. Of the 103,675 tests reported yesterday, 2,704, or 2.61 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.06 percent. There were 728 patients in ICU yesterday, down one from the previous day. Of them, 461 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 26 New Yorkers to the virus.

3. As of 11am this morning, 44.6 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 152,118 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 14,702,998 total doses with 31.9 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. 

4. The mass vaccination site at Binghamton University will relocate indoors. The mass vaccination site, currently located at 10 Gannett Drive in Johnson City, will move inside the building at the same address. The move will allow for increased capacity and protection from any adverse weather conditions.  

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: An arts project is using vacant New York City storefronts to spark interest in the arts and brighten up the community. Barbara Anderson created the Art on the Avenue NYC project and transformed storefronts in Greenwich Village into colorful galleries for local artists to feature their work. This is the project’s second iteration; the first took place in June of last year on Columbus Avenue. 

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Mark your calendars—the Great New York State Fair will be returning this year. Today we announced the 2021 Reimagined New York State Fair, a special end-of-summer celebration at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse from August 20 to September 6. The Fair will feature New York’s best food and drink, live music and entertainment, rides, and more in four different concurrent festivals that will take place exclusively in the outdoor areas of the fairgrounds. I hope it can serve as a unique celebration for New Yorkers who have made so many sacrifices during this pandemic, while allowing visitors from across the state and the country to enjoy some of the best attractions the Fair has to offer with all necessary safety guidelines in place. This is an important step towards the full return of New York’s largest events as we continue to reopen and reimagine our state’s economy.  

Photo of the Day: Today I visited NYS Fairgrounds and announced the fair’s return this year (Photo by Darren McGee)

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:

1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,174. Of the 126,953 tests reported yesterday, 3,039, or 2.39 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.13 percent. There were 729 patients in ICU yesterday, down 25 from the previous day. Of them, 454 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 41 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. As of 11am this morning, 44.3 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 115,854 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 14,550,880 total doses with 31.4 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. 

3. On May 15, offices, gyms, and casinos and gaming facilities will expand capacity. Gyms and fitness centers outside of New York City will increase from 33 percent to 50 percent capacity. Casinos and gaming facilities will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent. Offices will increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity. 

4. On May 19, spectator capacity at large-scale outdoor event venues will increase. These venues, including professional and collegiate sports and live performing arts and entertainment, will increase from 20 to 33 percent beginning May 19. This increase will coincide with the previously announced increase in large-scale indoor event venue capacity. Social distancing, masks, health screenings and all other State health and safety protocols remain in effect.

5. The online learner permit test for Class D (passenger vehicles) and Class M (motorcycles) is now available to New Yorkers statewide. The announcement comes after the launch of an online permit application pilot program last year. This new service allows New Yorkers to begin the permit application process and take the test from the comfort of their home, saving the customer significant time in the DMV office. 

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: For the Penfield High High School cheer team, April 17 holds a special meaning. On the day of their counties competition, Head Coach Jessica Bucinell went into labor and only 41 minutes after the safe delivery of her son, she streamed the team’s routine from the operating table. The squad went on to win their first counties in school history and to celebrate, the team brought their victory plaque to Bucinell’s recovery room at the hospital.

CORRECTION: In the caption of Friday’s Photo of the Day, the individual receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was incorrectly identified. The individual was Diogenes A. Nunez, CEO of 2075 Salcedo Deli Grocery Corp, not Stuart Appelbaum. We regret the error. 

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Throughout COVID, essential workers put their own safety on the line to ensure the rest of us could weather this pandemic and we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude for their tremendous service. Today, in partnership with SOMOS Community Care and Urban Health Plan, we announced five new pop-up vaccination sites that will take walk-in appointments for New York City bodega, grocery store and supermarket workers. Eligible New Yorkers can make appointments for the SOMOS sites here and for the Urban Health Plan site by calling 718-589-4755. These new pop-up vaccination sites are so important—they will make it easier for bodega, grocery store and supermarket workers, who have worked every single day to provide an essential service, to get vaccinated and protect themselves, their families and communities from COVID-19. 

Photo of the Day: Today Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President Appelbaum received the COVID-19 vaccine (Photo by Don Pollard)

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:

1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,387, the lowest since November 28. Of the 240,930 tests reported yesterday, 4,901, or 2.03 percent, were positive. That is the lowest single-day positivity rate since November 5. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.45 percent. There were 786 patients in ICU yesterday, down 25 from the previous day. Of them, 483 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 45 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. As of 11am this morning, 43.4 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 184,119 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 14,124,641 total doses with 30.2 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. 

3. Six additional New York companies will produce COVID-19 supplies to help combat the virus. These companies have received nearly $2.3 million in funding from New York State to produce needed supplies to help continue our fight in the pandemic. These grant funds will help alleviate product shortages due to supply chain issues that could lead to unfair pricing practices and delays. These companies will also increase the State’s manufacturing capacity while creating new jobs and market opportunities. 

4. In the third round of the program, Nourish NY has so far spent $8 million to help New Yorkers in need. So far, over six million pounds of raw milk has been turned into dairy products and distributed by food banks, along with over 1.9 pounds of produce. Over five million households in need have received products sourced from New York farms. 

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: A pair of peregrine falcons are calling the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge home. This species of bird is listed as an endangered species by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, so it delighted environmentalists to see the two falcons establishing a nest in the bridge’s nest box. This box, installed hundreds of feet above the water, provides a vantage point for the birds to dive for prey and wait for their five fledglings to hatch. You can check up on the peregrine falcons and their eggs via the bridge’s Falcon Camera. 

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Virtual Service Fair for Veterans, Military Families and the Community

On May 5 from 9am to 1pm, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is presenting a virtual service fair that will offer the chance for veterans, military families and community members to have the opportunity to connect with more than 20 nonprofit organizations including several that serve veterans and military families. By offering a safe and virtual volunteer fair we hope you can learn of the different volunteer opportunities right here in our community! Veterans, military families and community members are all welcome to attend. Organizations will also connect attendees to programs and services available in the community for those who may be experiencing financial hardship. Participants will have a chance to meet dozens of community leaders in a small virtual group setting. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sponsored by HERoes Indeed

List of participating organizations:

Action Towards Independence

American Red Cross

Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh

Catholic Charities of Dutchess County

Clear Path for Veterans

Community Action Partnership of Dutchess County

Exodus Transitional Services 

Family Services 

Fearless! Hudson Valley

Food Bank of the Hudson Valley

Food for Kids

Grace Smith House

Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley–Hudson Valley Patients, Family & Friends Advocacy Committee 

Hudson River Housing

Hudson Veterans Task Force

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Mental Health Association of Orange County -Orange County PFC Jos. P. Dwyer/Vet2Vet Program

NAMI Mid Hudson

Northeast Community Center 

Orange County Youth Bureau

VetsEDU

Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship 

Warwick Community Center

WestCOP Supportive Services for Veteran Families

CREATE CHANGE FOR VETERANS WITH YOUR SPARE CHANGE TODAY

By signing up for the RoundUp App, your change can truly help change a veteran’s life. Unfortunately, life after military service can be quite difficult for veterans. According to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, it is estimated that roughly 40,056 veterans are homeless on any given day. They are also at risk of developing substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and poverty due to their lack of resources after discharge. Help United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region assist our local veterans by signing up to “RoundUp.” Your donations will go toward programs to provide legal services and help prevent homelessness for our local veterans.

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Are you ready to RoundUp now and support United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region’s initiatives to help keep our veterans and their families housed? Just go online to roundup.app/p/uwdor to sign up or download the RoundUp App from the Apple or Google Playstore and sign up today!

The dedication and determination of New Yorkers in fighting the COVID pandemic is stronger than ever and it shows in the numbers. Yesterday the positivity rate in New York State was 2.06 percent—the lowest one-day positivity since November 5. Hospitalizations dropped to their lowest level since November 29. Still, we have a lot of work ahead to get New Yorkers vaccinated and to achieve a sufficient level of immunity to defeat this virus once and for all. Help us spread the word and encourage your friends and neighbors to get vaccinated! 

Illustration of the Day: “Let’s Help End this Pandemic” by Zachary Mogavero

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:

1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,567. Of the 242,432 tests reported yesterday, 4,996, or 2.06 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.57 percent. There were 811 patients in ICU yesterday, down six from the previous day. Of them, 499 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 45 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. As of 11am this morning, 43.0 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 177,255 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 13,929,970 total doses with 29.7 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. 

3. Starting tomorrow morning, New Yorkers age 60 and up are eligible for walk-in vaccine appointments. Walk-in vaccine appointments will be accommodated for these individuals at 16 mass vaccination sites across the state. See the list here. 

4. Reminder that public and private employees in NY are granted time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Last month, I signed legislation that grants employees up to four hours of excused leave per vaccine appointment that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued. 

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: A 17-year-old boy from Geneseo, NY, has an important message for all New Yorkers: Get vaccinated. After getting both doses of the vaccine at the Rochester Dome Arena vaccination site, Zachary Mogavero used his talent as an illustrator to express his gratitude for the staff at the site and to encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated. His design will be displayed as flyers and given out as stickers at the Rochester vaccination site. 

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

We know the vaccine works, but only if we all take it. Getting vaccinated isn’t only about you. You are a member of a community and you can make somebody else sick if you opt not to be vaccinated, so I urge everyone who has not yet done so to make an appointment. And to make it even easier, starting this Friday, walk-in appointments will become available to New Yorkers age 60 and older at 16 mass vaccination sites. The only way to defeat COVID is to get the vaccine. It is safe—over 13 million doses have already been administered in the State of New York. And every New Yorker age 16 and up is eligible so roll up your sleeves New York, and let’s get vaccinated. 

Photo of the Day: At the Yonkers vaccination site where we have vaccinated 50,000 New Yorkers. Thank you to the National Guard and all workers and staff for your dedication and hard work (Photo by Don Pollard)

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:

1. Starting Friday, April 23, walk-in appointments will be available at 16 mass vaccination sites. Walk-in appointments will only be available to New Yorkers age 60 and up. There may be a wait for those opting to walk-in at some sites depending on demand. All proof of identity and insurance information, if applicable, will be needed. 

2. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,757. Of the 202,400 tests reported yesterday, 4,326, or 2.14 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.69 percent. There were 817 patients in ICU yesterday, down six from the previous day. Of them, 505 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 53 New Yorkers to the virus.

3. As of 11am this morning, 42.6 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 169,746 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 13,852,715 total doses with 29.2 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. 

4. The South Beach Psychiatric Center on Staten Island discharged their final COVID-19 patient today. The new but unopened Office of Mental Health facility has served as an emergency hospital since last April, providing care for over 1,000 patients. The Center will be closing its overflow center today following the decline in COVID hospitalizations. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and facility staff who were on the front lines, putting themselves at risk, to care for their neighbors and community.   

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: A cat café in Buffalo celebrated its 400th adoption this week. Opened in 2018, the Purrfect Café & Gallery in North Buffalo is helping rescue cats find their forever homes and this week, Buffy was their 400th rescue cat to be adopted. The café works with four rescues to help cats in need find loving homes.  

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo