COVID-19 DATA FROM 5/4:

·       Test Results Reported: 165,597

·       Total Positive: 2,463

·       Statewide Positivity: 1.49% – Lowest since October 28^th

·       Statewide seven-day average positivity: 1.71% – Lowest since November 4^th

·       Patient Hospitalization: 2,458 (-115) – Lowest since November 21^st

·       Number ICU: 610 (-15) – Lowest since November 24^th

·       Number ICU with Intubation: 379 (-2) – Lowest since December 2^nd

·       Deaths: 31

·       Total Deaths: 42,161

·       Regional Seven-Day Average Positivity Rates:

·       Capital Region: 1.49%

·       Central New York: 1.51%

·       Finger Lakes: 2.84%

·       Long Island: 1.67%

·       Mid-Hudson: 1.71%

·       Mohawk Valley: 1.44%

·       New York City: 1.61%

·       North Country: 2.09%

·       Southern Tier: 0.75%

·       Western New York: 3.12%

·       COVID-19 UPDATE: While regional disparities in the positivity rate remain, overall, the statewide positivity is low and trending downward. Additionally, the number of vaccinated New Yorkers continues to rise.

·       VACCINE: New York has administered over 16 million vaccine doses. Over 9 million New Yorkers have received at least one dose and over 7 million New Yorkers are fully vaccinated (45% of the eligible population). Governor Cuomo reiterated his concern that the number of vaccinations being administered is starting to slow. The State is focused on vaccinating young people and convincing hesitant individuals.

·       BROADWAY: The Governor announced that tickets for Broadway shows will go on sale at 100% capacity starting tomorrow, May 6^th. Shows will open on September 14^th.

·       In response to a question from a reporter, Budget Director Robert Mujica stated that dozens of shows are preparing to open in September. Tickets will go on sale for shows on a rolling basis. As September approaches, the State will monitor progress and make a determination on requiring attendees to be vaccinated. Governor Cuomo added that venues have the authority to restrict ticketing to only vaccinated individuals, which will act as an incentive to get vaccinated.

·       PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: Beginning May 19^th, vaccinated individuals are able to attend professional baseball games statewide (including minor-league games) in sections with 100% capacity provided mask wearing is adhered to. Children under 16 years old are able to accompany vaccinated adults to the games in these sections. Unvaccinated individuals will be seated in sections capped at 33% capacity, and six-foot distancing rules will apply with mask wearing. Governor Cuomo said the testing requirement for attendees will be eliminated.

·       The New York Mets and New York Yankees will partner with the NYS Department of Health to provide vaccinations to attendees and as an incentive, provide them with a free ticket. Individuals who take advantage of the vaccination program will receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so no follow up appointment will be required.

The Development Disabilities Planning Council has announced the availability of approximately $219,000 to increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations for those that we serve.  OPWDD is also seeking proposals from Provider Associations to provide to DDPC to obtain funding to break down barriers and unequal access in communities to vaccinate people with disabilities.  Click here for additional information.  Examples of activities consistent with this are:

• Education about the importance of receiving a vaccine;
• Identifying people unable to independently travel to a vaccination site;
• Helping with scheduling a vaccine appointment;
• Arranging or providing accessible transportation;
• Providing companion/personal support;
• Reminding people of the second vaccination appointment if needed
• Providing technical assistance to local health departments or other entities on vaccine accessibility.

If you are interested in applying, please send your proposal to OPWDD.SM.CCOProjectManagement@opwdd.ny.gov by close of business Friday, April 23.  Be sure to include the following as part of your proposal:

• Description
• Goal/Intent
• Timeframe
• Anticipated Cost
• Next Steps

Both OPWDD and DDPC look forward to collaborating with you on this important initiative.

Governor Cuomo issued a press release this afternoon to announce expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination distribution statistics as of 11:00 a.m. The Governor also issued a press release providing an overview of New York’s COVID-19 tracking data from Sunday, March 28.

Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

The Governor announced a new expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in the State. Beginning Tuesday, March 30, at 8 a.m., all New Yorkers 30 years-of-age and older can begin to schedule appointments and get vaccinated. Furthermore, beginning Tuesday, April 6, New Yorkers 16 years-of-age and older can begin to schedule appointments and get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution statistics as of 11:00 a.m. today:

• Total Doses Administered: 9,056,970
• Total Doses Administered Over Past 24 Hours: 171,419
• Total Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days: 1,319,740
• Percent of New Yorkers With at Least One Vaccine Dose: 29.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers With Completed Vaccine Series: 16.8%

Details on the vaccination distribution statistics, and the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility can be found here.

COVID-19 statistics:

• Test Results Reported: 184,530
• Positive Test Results: 7,622
• Statewide Positivity: 4.13%
• Seven-Day Average Percent Positive: 3.46%
• Patient Hospitalization: 4,575 (+46)
• Patients Newly Admitted: 486
• Hospital Counties: 50
• Number ICU: 890 (+13)
• Number ICU with Intubation: 521 (-9)
• Total Discharges: 160,868 (+406)
• Deaths: 57
• Total Deaths: 40,390

Details on COVID-19 tracking data can be found here.

CP State is proud to offer “Teena’s Trunk,” a series on Individual Advocacy presented by Teena Fitzroy. Teena  is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of six, who just also happens to have cerebral palsy.

“Teena’s Trunk” poignantly recounts Teena Fitzroy’s often funny, sometimes heart-breaking, personal journey. Audiences experience Teena’s struggles and successes in growing up while learning to live with a disability.

These sessions are open to everyone. While the initial session is geared toward administration, the series is great for family members and self-advocates!

Email Tim Ferguson at TFerguson@cpstate.org for the seminar links. All sessions are on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. 

• April 6: Teena’s Trunk for Admins
• April 13: Teena’s Trunk for DSPs, Families and Individuals
• April 20: Family Members with I/DD
• April 27: Guardianship & SSI
• May 11: Medical Advocacy.
• May 25: Domestic Abuse

Click here for more information on Teena.

• WKBW: Advocates push for cost of living increases for caregivers for people with disabilities
• WIVB: Advocates for those with disabilities call on NY lawmakers to reverse cuts to support programs
• Harlem World Magazine: Thousands Join New York Disability Rally To Urge State Leaders For Care Not Cuts

Rally speakers included:

• Tom McAlvanah – Co-MC, President, New York Disability Advocates (NYDA)
• Kate Jerian – Co-MC, Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, The Arc of New York
• State Senator John Mannion
• Assemblymember Aileen Gunther
• Yvette Watts, Executive Director, New York Association of Emerging & Multicultural Providers and Family Advocate
• BJ Stasio, President, Self-Advocacy Association of New York State
• Ellen Feldman, Family Advocate
• Margaret Puddington, Family Advocate
• Terri Manzione, Family Advocate

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About New York Disability Advocates

New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) is a statewide coalition of seven non-profit provider associations encompassing more than 300 non-profit agencies providing vital services and support to more than 140,000 New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.