Apr 22, 2021
- We know the vaccine works, but only if we all take it. Getting vaccinated isn't only about you. You are a member of a community and you can make somebody else sick if you opt not to be vaccinated, so I urge everyone who has not yet done so to make an appointment. And to make it even easier, starting this Friday, walk-in appointments will become available to New Yorkers age 60 and older at 16 mass vaccination sites. The only way to defeat COVID is to get the vaccine. It is safe—over 13 million doses have already been administered in the State of New York. And every New Yorker age 16 and up is eligible so roll up your sleeves New York, and let's get vaccinated.
Photo of the Day: At the Yonkers vaccination site where we have vaccinated 50,000 New Yorkers. Thank you to the National Guard and all workers and staff for your dedication and hard work
(Photo by Don Pollard)
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. Starting Friday, April 23, walk-in appointments will be available at 16 mass vaccination sites. Walk-in appointments will only be available to New Yorkers age 60 and up. There may be a wait for those opting to walk-in at some sites depending on demand. All proof of identity and insurance information, if applicable, will be needed.
2. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,757. Of the 202,400 tests reported yesterday, 4,326, or 2.14 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.69 percent. There were 817 patients in ICU yesterday, down six from the previous day. Of them, 505 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 53 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. As of 11am this morning, 42.6 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 169,746 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 13,852,715 total doses with 29.2 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
4. The South Beach Psychiatric Center on Staten Island discharged their final COVID-19 patient today. The new but unopened Office of Mental Health facility has served as an emergency hospital since last April, providing care for over 1,000 patients. The Center will be closing its overflow center today following the decline in COVID hospitalizations. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and facility staff who were on the front lines, putting themselves at risk, to care for their neighbors and community.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A cat café in Buffalo celebrated its 400th adoption this week. Opened in 2018, the Purrfect Café & Gallery in North Buffalo is helping rescue cats find their forever homes and this week, Buffy was their 400th rescue cat to be adopted. The café works with four rescues to help cats in need find loving homes.
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