Mar 12, 2021
- We're making progress each day in holding the infection rate down and by vaccinating more New Yorkers, but we have more work to do to end this pandemic and to get New York back to safety. We have faced huge challenges with discipline and toughness, and we can make it through as we see the light at the end of the tunnel. New York State is expanding its vaccine distribution network to get more shots in arms, and we'll be able to ramp up vaccinations once the supply increases. In the meantime, New Yorkers should continue washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing as we get through this pandemic together.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 4,634. Of the 299,278 tests reported yesterday, 9,299, or 3.11 percent, were positive. There were 935 patients in ICU yesterday, down 20 from the previous day. Of them, 639 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 74 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 21.0 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 178,118 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 6,264,136 total doses with 10.7 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. I signed legislation granting employees time off to get the COVID-19 vaccine. No employee should be penalized for needing time off to get vaccinated. Under this new law, public and private employees will be granted up to four hours of excused leave per shot that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued. This legislation takes effect immediately.
|4. The State is expanding the New York Forward Rapid Test Program to help businesses reopen. The Rapid Test Program connects New Yorkers with affordable rapid tests: $30 in 30 minutes. Within the next week, 26 sites will open in New York City, Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Western New York and on Long Island for a total of 38 active sites statewide. To make an appointment, visit the program website.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Retired ski racer and Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht is taking to the slopes again to raise money for charity. The native New Yorker plans to ski all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York. So far, Weibrecht has completed eight of the peaks and hopes to complete the challenge next winter.
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