Archive: NYS COVID-19 Resources & Information
2/2/21

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 - 2/2/21  

From Governor Cuomo’s Zoom briefing downstate:

POSITIVITY BY REGION

  • Finger Lakes: 3.79%
  • Western NY: 5.01%
  • Southern Tier: 1.92%
  • Mohawk Valley: 4.09%
  • Central NY: 3.08%
  • Mid Hudson: 5.76%
  • NYC: 5.09%
  • Long Island: 6.03%
  • Capital Region: 4.67%
  • North Country: 5.51%
  • Manhattan: 3.06%
  • Staten Island: 4.65%
  • Brooklyn: 5.17%
  • Queens: 5.21%
  • Bronx: 6.47%

VACCINE

  • Over 2 million vaccines done to date.
  • There is still a discrepancy in vaccinating healthcare workers.
  • Cuomo spoke with White House officials and other governors today on vaccine supply.
  • Federal supply will increase again at 5%, total of 20% for three weeks.
  • 20% additional allocation will be given to local governments in the coming weeks.
  • Federal government also starting a pharmacy program.
  • Private pharmacies will receive additional allocation from federal government at 10% of state allocation in addition to additional allocation being given to states.
  • White House will reimburse state governments for FEMA expenses retroactively.
  • Local governments can add to 1B tier priorities if they think they are able to administer additional vaccines.
  • Taxi drivers, restaurant workers, and those in developmentally disabled facilities can be added.
  • State will target high positivity rates by opening mass vaccination site in specific regions.
  • Yankee Stadium will be utilized, only Bronx residents will be eligible.

FROM THE Q&A

On change in allowing restaurant and other workers to be vaccinated in this tier:

  • The problem is with the low supply of vaccine.
  • Local governments have different priorities based on needs of their region.
  • The change in guidance is a result of additional allocations announced today by the White House.

On eligibility for those with underlying conditions which are in CDC guidance for vaccine:

  • The CDC guidance has changed with new administration.
  • Adding this population is not feasible  with the current vaccine supply.
  • The eligibility will change if the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved.

On reports of state government staff leaving their positions:

  • COVID is "highly stressful, exhausting" and is "not what a lot of people signed up for."