Apr 26, 2021
- Mark your calendars—the Great New York State Fair will be returning this year. Today we announced the 2021 Reimagined New York State Fair, a special end-of-summer celebration at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse from August 20 to September 6. The Fair will feature New York's best food and drink, live music and entertainment, rides, and more in four different concurrent festivals that will take place exclusively in the outdoor areas of the fairgrounds. I hope it can serve as a unique celebration for New Yorkers who have made so many sacrifices during this pandemic, while allowing visitors from across the state and the country to enjoy some of the best attractions the Fair has to offer with all necessary safety guidelines in place. This is an important step towards the full return of New York's largest events as we continue to reopen and reimagine our state's economy.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,174. Of the 126,953 tests reported yesterday, 3,039, or 2.39 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.13 percent. There were 729 patients in ICU yesterday, down 25 from the previous day. Of them, 454 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 41 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 44.3 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 115,854 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 14,550,880 total doses with 31.4 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. On May 15, offices, gyms, and casinos and gaming facilities will expand capacity. Gyms and fitness centers outside of New York City will increase from 33 percent to 50 percent capacity. Casinos and gaming facilities will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent. Offices will increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity.
4. On May 19, spectator capacity at large-scale outdoor event venues will increase. These venues, including professional and collegiate sports and live performing arts and entertainment, will increase from 20 to 33 percent beginning May 19. This increase will coincide with the previously announced increase in large-scale indoor event venue capacity. Social distancing, masks, health screenings and all other State health and safety protocols remain in effect.
5. The online learner permit test for Class D (passenger vehicles) and Class M (motorcycles) is now available to New Yorkers statewide. The announcement comes after the launch of an online permit application pilot program last year. This new service allows New Yorkers to begin the permit application process and take the test from the comfort of their home, saving the customer significant time in the DMV office.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": For the Penfield High High School cheer team, April 17 holds a special meaning. On the day of their counties competition, Head Coach Jessica Bucinell went into labor and only 41 minutes after the safe delivery of her son, she streamed the team's routine from the operating table. The squad went on to win their first counties in school history and to celebrate, the team brought their victory plaque to Bucinell's recovery room at the hospital.
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