Coronavirus Update from NY State Governor Andrew Cuomo dated 7/8/2021

NYS Coronavirus Update: 70% of All Eligible New Yorkers Have At Least One Vaccine Dose — Outdoor Dining Extended

We have come a long way since we began vaccinating New Yorkers late last year and so far, 70 percent of all eligible New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We continue to fight this virus by getting more people vaccinated for the virus. You can help get us there by simply talking to friends or family who may be unvaccinated and encouraging them to talk to their doctor and get any facts they need about the vaccines. Spread the word and let’s vaccinate New York!

image of SUNY Albany illuminated in pride flags colors
Photo of the Day: The pop-up MTA vaccination sites have been extended through July 10 (Photo by Nina Dudko)  

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:  
1. COVID hospitalizations are at 347. Of the 98,677 tests reported yesterday, 607, or 0.68 percent, were positive. The 7-day positivity average was 0.68 percent. There were 80 patients in ICU yesterday, up three from the previous day. Of them, 39 are intubated. Sadly, we lost three New Yorkers to the virus.   
2. As of 11am yesterday, 72.8 percent of adult New Yorkers have received at least one vaccine dose, per the CDC. Over the past 24 hours, 43,808 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 21,443,054 total doses with 66.2 percent of adult New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See additional data on the State’s Vaccine Tracker.  
3. Outdoor dining rules have been extended for another year. Yesterday, I signed legislation that allows bars & restaurants to continue using municipal spaces for outdoor dining. Outdoor dining was popular throughout the pandemic and was an important lifeline for many businesses.   
4. The pop-up vaccination sites at Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal have been extended through July 10. Individuals who get vaccinated at either of these pop-up sites can receive a free 7-day Unlimited MetroCard or two one-way Metro-North or LIRR tickets.    
5. The Javits Center vaccination site will cease operations. At its peak, Javits vaccinated as many as 10,000 people a day and was the largest such site in the nation. The convention center became a symbol of New York’s vaccination efforts overall. Due to reduced demand and the success of the state’s vaccination program, Javits and two other State-operated mass vaccination sites—Suffolk County Community College (Brentwood) and SUNY Ulster—will stop operating as of Friday, July 9. The State will reallocate resources on localized vaccination efforts to better reach under-vaccinated communities in the State.  
6. The New York Public Library reopened nearly all of its branches earlier this week. The Library’s many branches closed to the public in March of last year due to COVID, but as of July 6, the libraries have reopened across five boroughs—including the famous Rose Main Reading Room at the library system’s Main Branch on 42nd Street in Manhattan.   

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: History has been made at the Maid of the Mist. Henrietta native Kaitlynn McHenry has become the first female captain of the famous Niagara Falls tour-boat. McHenry first set foot on one of the fleet’s vessels as a tourist ten years ago. And after working on boats in various capacities throughout her life, including at the New York State Canal Corporation, she has become the first female captain in the company’s 175 years of operation. McHenry told the Democrat and Chronicle that she hopes to see more women in the maritime field.  

Ever Upward,  
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo