May 13, 2021
- Late last night, the New York State Clinical Advisory Task Force approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12 - 15-year-olds. This approval allowed us to begin administering the vaccine to this newly eligible age group today. Reminder: All New York State vaccination sites are open for walk-in appointments to all eligible individuals. You can also make an appointment online through the Am I Eligible tool or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). Let's get vaccinated, New York.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 1,852. Of the 204,531 tests reported yesterday, 2,216, or 1.08 percent, were positive. The 7-day average percent positivity was 1.25 percent. There were 433 patients in ICU yesterday, down 30 from the previous day. Of them, 258 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 22 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 60.9 percent of adult New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 111,885 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 17,166,220 total doses with 50.4 percent of adult New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See additional data on the State's Vaccine Tracker.
3. The moratorium on disconnecting utilities is extended until the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted or December 31, 2021. This week, I signed legislation extending a moratorium that prevents utility companies from disconnecting utilities to residential households and small businesses that are struggling with their bills due to pandemic-related hardship. The moratorium is extended for a period of 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted or 180 days after December 31, 2021, whichever is earlier.
4. I signed legislation protecting New Yorkers' COVID stimulus payments from debt collectors. All relief payments to New Yorkers under these federal acts, including stimulus payments, tax refunds, rebates, and tax credits to support individuals and children qualified for or received prior to the effective date, will be protected.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A 10-year-old boy earned the title of National Chess Master, becoming the 28th youngest person to do so. Tanitoluwa "Tani" Adewumi, a refugee from Nigeria, won the New York state chess championship in 2019 and has continued to hone his skills to win the national title on May 1. Next up in Tani's chess ambitions is to become the world's youngest grandmaster.
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