Feb 9, 2021
- The White House announced a 5 percent increase in vaccine allocations to the states for the next three weeks, which is welcome news. The 5 percent increase doesn't sound like much but it's on top of previous increases that were announced earlier—so it adds up. That being said, supply is still extremely limited. It is frustrating, I know, when so many New Yorkers are chasing a relatively small number of doses and appointments, but unless supply rapidly increases, I urge New Yorkers who are eligible to be patient. It's all about supply, supply, supply—and there still isn't enough.
With the 7-day average positivity rate at its lowest since December 1, it's critically important we stay united and keep the momentum on our side—especially as new variants of the virus threaten to upend the progress we have made. Let's keep it up, New York.
Photo of the Day: A vaccine worker at a community vaccination site at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem
(Photo by Don Pollard)
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations rose to 7,875. Of the 153,648 tests reported yesterday, 7,866, or 5.12 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate is 4.38 percent, the lowest 7-day average since December 1. There were 1,412 patients in the ICU yesterday, down 42 from the previous day. Of them, 971 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 138 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. Eleven community-based pop-up vaccination sites are coming online this week to provide first doses to more than 3,100 New Yorkers. Community vaccination kits will be deployed to NYCHA senior housing developments, public housing sites and community centers. Vaccination will be by appointment only and scheduling will be conducted directly through the host site or partner provider, who will work with community leaders and organizers to identify eligible New Yorkers in each specific community. The community pop-up vaccination program is part of our effort to ensure equity and remove barriers to access in underserved communities.
3. Long Island has the highest percentage of positive test results on a 7-day average of any region of the state, at 5.36 percent. Following Long Island, the Mid-Hudson Region is at 5.34 percent, New York City is at 5.13 percent, the North Country is at 4.79 percent, Western New York is at 4.16 percent, the Capital Region is at 3.40 percent, the Mohawk Valley is at 3.15 percent, the Finger Lakes is at 2.91 percent, Central New York is at 1.87 percent and the Southern Tier is at 1.22 percent.
4. "Fleet Week" in New York City will be virtual this year. Fleet Week, a longstanding tradition where U.S. Navy ships dock in New York City for a week, allowing sailors and other crew members to visit and take in the sights of the city, will take place virtually, the Navy announced. This year's Virtual Fleet Week will run from May 26 to May 31.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A group of Staten Island residents have come together to form "Staten Island Feeds It Forward," an initiative that helps food-insecure Staten Islanders while supporting local restaurants. Founded by Mariana Ortega, the organization connects nonprofits with restaurants. Patrons of participating restaurants can "pay forward" meals or other bites using receipt vouchers—which are then given out by nonprofits to those in need. Learn more about the organization and how to get involved.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State's Coronavirus Updates