Apr 19, 2021
- New Yorkers should be encouraged by the incredible progress they have made to decrease the infection rate and to get vaccinated. More than half of New York's adults have received at least one dose. Thanks to your hard work, we are continuing to open up even more of our economy. On April 26, movie theater capacity will increase to 33 percent. Low-risk indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment—including museums, aquariums, zoos and botanical gardens—will increase to 50 percent capacity also beginning April 26. Still, this should not be taken as a reason to let our guard down. On the contrary, we should all remain vigilant and continue to practice the behaviors we know work to stop COVID in its tracks—wear a mask, wash hands, social distance but also get vaccinated as soon as you can.
Photo of the Day: The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free. Book your appointment today: ny.gov/GetVaccinated
(Photo by Nina Dudko)
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations rose to 3,783. Of the 147,583 tests reported yesterday, 4,339, or 2.94 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.85 percent. There were 836 patients in ICU yesterday, down 13 from the previous day. Of them, 521 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 44 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 41.7 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 131,589 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 13,428,920 total doses with 28.4 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. Capacity at arenas and large events will increase on May 19. Spectator capacity will increase to 25 percent at large-scale arenas and event venues, including professional and collegiate sports, and major performances. Social distancing, masks, health screenings and all other health and safety protocols remain in effect.
4. An additional $50 million in funding will go to Nourish NY through the FY 2022 Enacted Budget. Since last year, the Nourish NY initiative has purchased 21 million pounds of surplus agricultural products from New York farmers and delivered to more than 1.3 million households in need across New York State.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Governors Island has some new groundskeeping staff: but they're not people, they're sheep. A family of five sheep from Albany arrived on the small island off of lower Manhattan to help control an invasive plant species—by eating it. The use of sheep to manage the non-native plant is an environmentally sustainable solution that will help protect the island's natural landscape.
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