Jun 10, 2021
- New Yorkers over the past year have embodied the spirit of what it means to be New York Tough. Our positivity rates continue to drop to record lows and as such, we can demobilize drive-through testing sites across the state beginning tomorrow. As more and more New Yorkers get vaccinated and we get closer to our goal of a 70 percent vaccination rate, we can move some of these resources toward the vaccination effort. Since our nation-leading testing program began in March, we have conducted over 57 million COVID tests—1.6 million of which were at drive-through locations. I want to thank our State agencies and their dedicated workforces, health care providers and the National Guard for their service. I encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated so we can continue our work to return to normalcy and reimagine a stronger, better and healthier New York.
Photo of the Day: Yesterday, we celebrated the grand opening of the new Pier 76 on the West Side of Manhattan, part of our effort to reimagine and rebuild New York
(Photo by Don Pollard)
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations are at 758. Of the 139,492 tests reported yesterday, 566, or 0.41 percent, were positive. The 7-day average percent positivity was 0.47 percent. There were 190 patients in ICU yesterday, down five from the previous day. Of them, 113 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 9 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 69.2 percent of adult New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose, per the CDC. Once we reach 70 percent, and we are close, most remaining COVID restrictions will be lifted. Over the past 24 hours, 104,488 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 19,820,785 total doses with 60.3 percent of adult New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See additional data on the State's Vaccine Tracker.
3. Two new vaccination sites will come online in New York City tomorrow, June 11. The first pop-up site, at the Empire State Building Observatory, will operate from Friday, June 11, to Sunday, June 13, and the first 100 individuals who get vaccinated at the site will receive a free ticket to the Observatory. The second site, at the College of Staten Island, will operate from Friday, June 11, to Thursday, June 17, and will be a part of the State's 'Vax & Scratch' program.
4. Today, we announced the second group of winners of the State's Vaccine Scholarship incentive. These ten vaccinated New Yorkers will attend a SUNY or CUNY school with their tuition and room & board covered. With more drawings in the weeks ahead, there are still opportunities for a chance to win a full-ride scholarship to a state school. Learn more and get a shot to make your future: ny.gov/vaccinescholarship.
5. Applications for the COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grant Program are now open. Business owners who experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for grants of up to $50,000. Grants will be awarded to small and micro businesses and small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations.
6. The State's Ulster County Fairgrounds mass vaccination site has transitioned to a mobile trailer at SUNY Ulster's campus. The SUNY Ulster campus site is now accepting new first-dose appointments as well as walk-in appointments. All current appointments for second doses will be honored at the original location at the Fairgrounds.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Today, thousands of New Yorkers woke up early to catch a glimpse of a rare solar eclipse. And although New York was out of the range for the total eclipse, about 70 percent of the sun was covered by the moon—treating stargazers all over the state to a partially eclipsed sunrise.
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