Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing and Treatment

Updates New Yorkers on Ongoing Winter Preparedness Efforts To Protect Against RSV, Flu, and COVID-19

35 Statewide Deaths Reported on December 6

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. The Governor also updated New Yorkers on winter preparedness efforts, urging individuals to take proven prevention measures to protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus, flu, and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals.

"New Yorkers can't get complacent in our fight against the triple threat of COVID, RSV, and influenza - we have to take advantage of the resources at our disposal so that we come out of this winter season healthy and happy," Governor Hochul said. "We should all celebrate the holidays while taking preventative measures, getting tested and vaccinated, and talking to a doctor if you feel ill. Let's make sure we keep our guard up against these illnesses and that we continue to protect each other, especially our most vulnerable."

This week, the New York State Department of Health issued a new report showing a 76 percent week-over-week jump in lab-confirmed flu cases across New York and week-over-week hospitalizations up 67 percent.  Cases of influenza have now been detected in all 62 counties across the state, highlighting the need for New Yorkers to take steps and precautions that will reduce the risk of severe illness for children and adults.  

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "Our message is simple but urgent - get vaccinated today. We have highly effective, safe vaccines for both flu and for COVID. The vaccine for COVID is the new bivalent vaccine, the one that is for the first time keyed to the circulating variants that we have. If you haven't gotten the bivalent vaccine, that's the one you should get. I urge every New Yorker who has not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community."

Governor Hochul previously launched a public awareness campaign featuring New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett speaking directly to New Yorkers about three viruses - RSV, flu and COVID-19 - now circulating in the state with similar symptoms and the potential to cause serious illness. Produced by the New York State Department of Health, the videos include a short clip and a longer version geared toward parents; and a version aimed specifically at health care providers.

Governor Hochul continues to remind New Yorkers that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against COVID-19.

The Governor also urges New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

In addition, Governor Hochul encourages New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season is widespread across New York State. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.

The State Department of Health is continuing its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. Advertisements in both English and Spanish language began running last month.

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

    Cases Per 100k - 31.18
    7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 27.77
    Test Results Reported - 73,061
    Total Positive - 6,093
    Percent Positive - 7.80%**
    7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.57%**
    Patient Hospitalization - 3,471 (+37)
    Patients Newly Admitted - 607
    Patients in ICU - 295 (-16)
    Patients in ICU with Intubation - 104 (-3)
    Total Discharges - 370,291 (+510)
    New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 35
    Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 59,658

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

    Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 76,025

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.