Apr 5, 2021
- The vaccine is the weapon that will defeat COVID. But only if we all take it, and starting tomorrow, April 6, all New Yorkers age 16 and older will be able to get vaccinated. As universal eligibility goes into effect, we will continue to work with local leaders to make sure all New Yorkers have access to the vaccine. But I also want to remind everyone that universal eligibility does not mean we can let our guard down. The truth is millions of our neighbors still need to get their shots and we are still in a footrace against the infection rate. It is imperative that we do not let down our guard and that we continue exercising safety protocols. Wear a mask, social distance, remain vigilant—but most importantly, get vaccinated. It's how we'll get back to the things we love and how we protect the ones we love.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,434. Of the 150,225 tests reported yesterday, 6,583, or 4.38 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 3.57 percent. There were 906 patients in ICU yesterday, up 24 from the previous day. Of them, 577 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 57 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 33.3 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 11,418 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 10,480,155 total doses with 20.7 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. At 8am tomorrow, April 6, all New Yorkers age 16 and up will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines. New Yorkers can schedule an appointment through the Am I Eligible tool or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
4. Today, we announced the start of the statewide "Roll Up Your Sleeve" ad campaign to encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated. The ads will be shown on television and online statewide beginning Wednesday, April 7. The ads were directed by Contagion screenplay writer Scott Burns and shot at New York City's Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Watch the ad here.
5. Beginning today, the 11pm curfew for certain industries will be lifted. The curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted. The 11pm curfew for food and beverage establishments and the 12am curfew for catered events remain in effect. Both curfews will be evaluated later this month.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": For most of her life, Queens resident Monica Schuss didn't know she had a brother. After waiting 27 years on the State's adoption registry to learn about her family history, Schuss learned of her long-lost brother: Long Island resident John Tomanelli. Tomanelli, born seven years after his sister and adopted to a separate family, also joined the adoption registry, and recently they both received letters with exciting news of their family ties. Now the brother & sister are making up for lost time and realizing that even while separated, they have similar passions—like baking Irish soda bread.
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