Jan 20, 2021
- While we continue our call for increased supply of the vaccine, we will take all steps to quickly administer the vaccine we do have as efficiently as possible to eligible New Yorkers. New Yorkers can track the State's vaccination progress through the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker. The dashboard provides updates on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine including the number of doses received by the state, a breakdown of first and second doses, and the number of people who have received first and second doses in each region. When supply increases we are ready to get shots into arms. Until then, patience is difficult but required. Wear a mask, socially distance and stop the spread.
Photo of the Day: A vaccination storage facility at SUNY Binghamton, where we have set-up a State-run distribution site. Thirteen large sites are operating as of this week.
(Photo by Mike Groll)
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. Five new State-run vaccination sites opened across New York State. Vaccination sites at SUNY Stony Brook, the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Buffalo and Plattsburgh International Airport are open and vaccinating eligible New Yorkers against the COVID-19 virus. Vaccinations are by appointment only. To determine eligibility and schedule an appointment to receive their first dose, New Yorkers can use the "Am I Eligible" app or call the New York State Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829). More sites coming soon!
2. Total hospitalizations rose to 9,236. Of the 177,269 tests reported yesterday, 12,512, or 7.06 percent, were positive. There were 1,614 patients in ICU yesterday, up 91 from the previous day. Of them, 1,049 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 167 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. As part of my 2021 State of the State, an additional $25 million will go to continuing the Nourish NY Initiative. 2020 was a painful year for many New Yorkers but the Nourish NY program ensured that no food was going to waste at a time when people are hungry. The program redirected 17 million pounds of food from local farms to New Yorkers in need. We will continue to ensure all families in New York have access to healthy, locally grown food.
4. Nearly 1,200 senior NYCHA residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week, the State deployed five "community vaccination kits" to NYCHA housing complexes. These sites will be set up again three weeks from now to administer second doses. Kits will be deployed to additional locations to further bolster our efforts to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in communities that are underserved by traditional health care institutions.
5. Eight vaccination kits have been deployed to churches and cultural institutions in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. These pop-up sites also serve our mission to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to low-income communities and leave no New Yorkers behind.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Chef José Andrés is providing all the National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., with free meals to thank them for their service and professionalism. After the events at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6th, thousands of National Guard troops arrived to provide additional security for Inauguration Day tomorrow. So far, Chef Andrés' nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, has provided 4,000 meals. New York has deployed 1,250 New York National Guard troops to D.C.—so we thank Chef Andrés for providing our fellow New Yorkers and other servicemen and women with a good meal during an anxious time.
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