Archive: NYS COVID-19 Resources & Information
12/31/20

In the rapidly changing dynamics of combating the Coronavirus, information is updated constantly. This archive is being provided as an additional resource for those seeking to learn more about how New York State is addressing COVID-19.

LATEST NEWS & INFORMATION - 12/31/20     

From Governor Cuomo's latest Zoom debriefing:

OVERVIEW 

  • Day 305
  • Statewide rate without micro-clusters: 8.36%
  • Statewide rate with micro-clusters: 8.66%
  • Micro-cluster rate: 9.47%
  • 154,949 tests conducted
  • 144 fatalities
  • 7,892 hospitalizations, up 78
  • 1,250 ICU patients, up 26
  • 702 intubations, up 9 

REGONAL HOSPITALIZATIONS 

- Finger Lakes: 959 (0.08%)
- Western NY: 520 (0.04%)
- Southern Tier: 196 (0.03%)
- Mid Hudson: 906 (0.04%)
- Central NY: 404 (0.05%)
- NYC: 2,772 (0.03%)
- Long Island: 1,384 (0.05%)
- Capital Region: 404 (0.04%)
- Mohawk Valley: 273 (0.06%)
- North Country: 74 (0.02%) 

POSITIVITY RATE 

- Finger Lakes: 8.80%
- Western NY: 6.82%
- Southern Tier: 4.05%
- Mid Hudson: 6.68%
- Central NY: 7.29%
- NYC: 5.28%
- Long Island: 7.49%
- Capital Region: 9.09%
- Mohawk Valley: 9.36%
- North Country: 7.46%
- Manhattan: 3.05%
- Staten Island: 6.57%
- Brooklyn: 5.44%
- Queens: 6.16%
- Bronx: 6.26% 

2021 & BILLS PLAYOFFS 

  • Focus in 2021: keeping economy going while containing virus and administering vaccine.
  • The state will be piloting a testing plan to guide business re-openings, beginning with Bills playoffs games.
  • DOH, Bills, and NFL have agreed that 6,700 fans will be allowed at the first Bills playoff game.
  • Masks are required, and every fan will be tested, contact traced prior to the game and after the game.
  • No tailgating or other events permitted.
  • Stadium staff will be monitoring entries and exits, and will remove anyone without a documented negative test. 

NEW STRAIN 

  • Over 4,300 tests have been conducted, new strain has not been found in NY. 

FROM THE Q&A 

Bills pilot testing plan/indoor events:

  • The vaccine will take several months to reach critical mass, the economy cannot be closed until then.
  • This pilot program is examining how testing can be used to keep businesses running, but is outdoors and is a controlled venue.
  • If the pilot program is successful, other venues will be considered, but indoor events require additional consideration. 

On original micro-cluster zones and how those zones will be impacted by new zoning metrics:

  • Despite orange zone restrictions, rates are continuing to increase in some regions.
  • Restrictions are less effective now because the spread is coming from small gatherings in homes. 

On when the state will make a decision on future Bills games beyond playoffs:

  • The state will determine after the first pilot game depending on compliance, contact tracing.
     

The Governor’s Office has also recently released the following Executive Orders: 

Executive Order 202.83

Highlights

  • Pertains to healthcare record keeping requirements.
  • Pertains to the Rent Relief Act.
  • Allows “orange zone” restaurants an extension on payment of sales taxes by 91 days. 

Executive Order 202.84 

Highlights

  • Extends E.O. 202.77 until January 22, 2021. 

Executive Order 202.85

Highlights

  • Extends E.O. 202.66, 202.71 & 202.78 through January 26, 2021. 

Executive Order 202.86

Highlights

  • Establishes a penalty for fraudulent vaccine activity.