The Peru Gazette

Today, vaccine eligibility opened up to all New Yorkers age 30 and up, and we are getting shots in arms as fast as our supply allows. We know the key to defeating COVID once and for all is getting every single New Yorker vaccinated. Nearly one out of every three New Yorkers has already received at least one dose of the vaccine. But while this progress is welcome, the virus is still out there and poses a significant threat. We must keep up the practices we know stop the spread: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and remain vigilant, New York. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer, but we’re still not there yet.

Photo of the Day: The York College NYS/FEMA mass vaccination site celebrated 100,000 doses administered

1. COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,715. Of the 151,437 tests reported yesterday, 6,488, or 4.23 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 3.43 percent. There were 903 patients in ICU yesterday, up 13 from the previous day. Of them, 523 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 61 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. As of 11am this morning, 29.9 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 172,128 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 9,229,098 total doses with 17.3 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.

3. Collegiate sports can bring fans back to the stands under strict state guidelines beginning April 2. Intercollegiate sports at large-scale venues that hold more than 1,500 attendees indoors or 2,500 attendees outdoors can host up to 10 percent indoor or 20 percent outdoor capacity. All attendees must present proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test result or completed COVID-19 immunization prior to entry. Colleges and universities hosting spectators for sporting events at large-scale venues must notify and coordinate with their respective state or local health department, aligning with the state guidance for professional sports competitions with spectators.

4. Become a New York State Citizen Public Health Leader. To continue the fight against COVID and prepare for the next public health emergency, the State launched a free, online Citizen Public Health Training course for New Yorkers, in partnership with Cornell University and supported by the State University of New York. This program will prepare and equip New Yorkers to become Citizen Public Health Leaders and build an informed network of community health leaders across the state. Enroll today.

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: New Yorker and actor Kaliswa Brewster became an avid runner in 2017, but the past year posed challenges that prevented Brewster from keeping up with her running. After recovering from skin cancer just before the pandemic started, Kaliswa caught COVID-19 and was sick at home for months. But now she’s beaten both cancer and COVID. She’s back running again and will participate in this year’s Virtual NYC Half Marathon.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Today, we take a monumental step forward in the fight to beat COVID. Starting tomorrow, March 30, all New Yorkers age 30 or older will be able to be vaccinated, and all New Yorkers age 16 or older will be eligible on April 6, well ahead of the May 1 deadline set by the White House. Eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment at ny.gov/GetVaccinated or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). But whether you become eligible tomorrow or next Tuesday, be sure you schedule your vaccine appointment so we can get back to the things we all love.

Image of the Day: Tomorrow, New Yorkers age 30+ will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines

1. COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,575. Of the 184,530 tests reported yesterday, 7,622, or 4.13 percent, were positive. There were 890 patients in ICU yesterday, up 13 from the previous day. Of them, 521 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 57 New Yorkers to the virus.

2. As of 11 am this morning, 29.6 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 171,419 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 9,056,970 total doses with 16.8 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.

3. A new mass vaccination site will open in Rockland County. The State will establish an additional state-run mass vaccination site at Rockland Community College’s Eugene Levy Fieldhouse to further grow New York’s vast distribution network. The site is in development and is expected to open Thursday, April 1, with appointments opening on Tuesday, March 30, at 8 am. Hours of operation for the Rockland Community College site will be from 8 am to 7 pm, seven days a week. Eligible New Yorkers will be able to make an appointment online or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

4. Indoor family entertainment centers and places of amusement are now open with a 25 percent capacity limit. Last month, I announced that indoor family entertainment centers will be able to reopen with 25 percent capacity and health protocols in place, which went into effect Friday, March 26.

5. Over 2 million vaccines have been administered at the NYS-FEMA mass vaccination sites. These six sites are hard at work getting eligible New Yorkers vaccinated as fast as supply allows. If you’re eligible, book your appointment today at ny.gov/GetVaccinated.

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: There is no age limit when it comes to love. At the young age of 94, Joy Morrow-Nulton and John Shults of Kingston, NY, fell in love during the pandemic, and now plan to get married but on one condition—they both must be vaccinated. Now both Morrow-Nulton and Shults have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and can begin planning their vows for their wedding day. Congratulations to the happy couple.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo