1M-plus COVID-19 vaccine doses given in NY in the past week, state says
More than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered statewide this past week, and 11% of New Yorkers have now been fully inoculated, according to state data released Saturday.
Though a growing number of Long Islanders are getting their COVID-19 shots, the region continues to have one of the highest seven-day positive case averages in the state.
On Long Island, the total number of people with at least one vaccine dose reached 496,530, and those who have completed their vaccine series reached 274,156, a one-day increase of 7,500, the data showed.
"We are seeing a lot of progress in our daily numbers in the fight against COVID, and the long-term sustainment of this hard-earned progress will depend on our efficiency in getting people vaccinated," Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a news release.
About 182,584 doses were administered statewide Friday. Almost 6.5 million total doses have been administered to date in New York.
"The White House has moved up dramatically the amount of vaccines available, and we are set to significantly increase our capacity for getting shots into arms — a logistical undertaking unlike anything we have done before," Cuomo said.
The governor noted that the state will continue to prioritize communities hit hard by the pandemic and "the most vulnerable New Yorkers that bore the brunt of COVID."
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo speaking at a vaccination site in New York on Monday. Credit: AP / Seth Wenig
The picture on LI
Of the state's 10 regions, Long Island and Mid-Hudson have the highest seven-day average percentage of positives, which increased slightly on Friday for both areas.
On Long Island, the seven-day positivity average rose to 4.35% on Friday from 4.24% on Thursday. The Mid-Hudson region had the state's highest positivity average, rising to 4.49% Friday from 4.44% on Thursday.
The statewide seven-day average was 3.16%, up slightly from 3.13%.
There were 663 new positive COVID-19 cases in Nassau and 664 new cases in Suffolk on Friday. Statewide, there were 6,600 new positives.
A total of 4,617 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized statewide on Friday, 17 fewer than the day before. In the past week, COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 337 across New York.
The virus proved fatal for 77 New Yorkers on Friday, including four in Nassau and five in Suffolk.
"COVID-19 remains a serious concern for all New Yorkers, and we can't let our guard down until more New Yorkers are vaccinated and the infection rate drops further," Cuomo said.
In New York City, statistics from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene show the weekly average positivity rate has plateaued for much of March, even as it has declined elsewhere in the country.
Over the past seven days in the city, there were 16,362 confirmed cases, 6,894 probable cases, and 340 confirmed deaths, according to the statistics.
GETTING COVID-19 VACCINES IN NY
- To complete a prescreening and find sites to schedule COVID-19 shots, people in the eligible lists can visit https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
- State residents may call the New York State Vaccination Hotline: 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829)
- Northwell Health is booking its COVID-19 vaccine appointments online at northwell.edu/covidvaccine
- Call or visit your local pharmacist to check for participation in the state's vaccination effort.
- The state's phase distribution guidelines can be found at: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine
Who qualifies for COVID-19 shots?
The State of New York has expended its eligibility list for vaccines against COVID-19 several times, expanding the groups of people included in the phases. This is a summary of the eligible groups. The following are the qualifying categories, as revised on March 29.
Group in Phase 1A
The state said about 2.1 million state residents belong in this group, including:
- Health care workers at hospitals who interact with patients.
- Residents and staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- Dentists, psychologists and others deemed health care workers with direct contact with patients.
- Employees of Federally Qualified Health Centers.
- EMT volunteers and staff.
- Coroners, medical examiners, some funeral workers.
- Staff and residents of state facilities for people with developmental disabilities, mental health care and addiction services.
- Employees at urgent care centers.
- Individuals administering COVID-19 vaccines, including local health department staff.
- Staff at ambulatory centers.
- Home care and hospice workers.
- Residents and staff at other congregate care facilities.
Group in Phase 1B
The state estimated about 3.2 million residents belong in this group, including:
- People 75 years of age and older.
- Teachers and education workers, including in-person college instructors, substitute teachers, student teachers, school administrators, paraprofessional staff, support staff, contractors in schools and bus drivers.
- First responders, including police; firefighters; state police; sheriff’s offices; county, town and village police departments, and other law enforcement offices.
- Public safety workers, including dispatchers and technicians.
- Public transit workers, including airport, railroad, subway, bus, ferry and Port Authority employees.
- Corrections officers.
- Other sworn and civilian personnel, such as court and peace officers.
- Grocery store workers dealing with the public.
- Individuals living in homeless shelters.
Following federal recommendations:
- Since Feb. 15, people at risk of moderate to severe illness due to health conditions, immunocompromised status or comorbidities, including ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and chronic kidney disease. The full list of qualifying conditions is listed with the announcement on the state's website.
Added at the discretion of local governments:
- Taxi drivers.
- Restaurant workers.
- Residents of facilities for developmentally disabled people.
- Hotel workers who interact with the public.
Other expansions of eligibility:
- State residents age 60 and older (Since March 10, 2021).
- “Public-facing” government and public employees (Since March 17, 2021).
- Workers for not-for-profit organizations who provide “public-facing” services (Since March 17, 2021).
- Building service workers who are “public-facing” employees (Since March 17, 2021).
- State residents age 50 and older (Since March 23, 2021).
Since March 30, 2021:
- State residents age 30 and older.
Since April 6, 2021:
- State residents age 16 and older.
SOURCE: New York State, Northwell Health.
"How we fare depends on what we do, and washing hands, social distancing and masking up are crucial tools we can use to protect each other in this fight against the virus," Cuomo said. "New York has a widening vaccine distribution network, but until more New Yorkers are able to take the vaccine, we need to stay vigilant."
With Matthew Chayes
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