COVID is Rising in New York state: AG James Blames Gov. Hochul

By Yehudit Garmaise

New York’s Department of Health (DOH) revealed that COVID-19 is rising once again in the state, which showed that in the last two weeks, the positivity rate has increased by 52% hospitalizations across the state have increased by 11%.

On Sunday, the state’s DOH reported that the seven-day case positivity rate of COVID-19 had risen to 9.48%.

In New York City, the number of hospitalizations and deaths continue to decrease, thanks to the 88% of residents who are vaccinated, however, the number of positive COVID cases is rising: mystifying many physicians and health officials.

Cold weather, which drives people indoors, and increased holiday gatherings and travel caused COVID surges worldwide last year, however, the precise causes for the unpredictable virus’s latest surge are still unclear.

Those most at risk of the recent surges, of course, are the unvaccinated and the elderly. 

The vaccines remain remarkably effective at transforming what was once an illness that deadly: to one that is manageable, mild, and much less frequent. 

The hospitalization and death rates in states, such as Minnesota, in which vaccinations are high show death rates of 0.0 in vaccinated residents who are under 50.

Washington State, which publishes statistics by age and vaccination status, did not even include the death rate for fully vaccinated residents under 65 because that rate was so close to zero.

On Sunday, Gov. Hochul reported that 89.9% of adult New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 76.9% of all eligible residents have gotten at least one shot.  

In the last 24 hours, the state has feverishly administered 96,564 vaccine doses of first shots, second shots, and boosters. 

Yesterday, while providing an update on the state’s ongoing response to COVID, Gov. Kathy Hochul emphasized, "There are no excuses.

“We've made sure that there's plenty of supply at multiple sources. And so I'm encouraging everyone. 

“Please get the booster, please get the vaccination if you've not been vaccinated. If you've had one dose, get the second one. 

“What are you waiting for?”

While the state and city has issued mandates, incentives, and countless opportunities for residents to get their shots, Attorney General Letitia James, who has announced she will challenge Hochul in the 2022 governor’s race, alleged that New York’s current governor has failed the state in her handling of the pandemic.

“It is time to act now to save lives,” said James. “Anything short of bold action is unacceptable.”

James, who claims that hospitalizations in some regions exceed levels from the height of the pandemic, argued state leadership needs to “take immediate action to bring the infection rates under control and help stop future surges before they happen.”

Among James’ solutions to prevent another surge throughout New York were greater efforts to use “trust community partners” to educate citizens living in vaccine-hesitant areas, create a census-style outreach outside of major cities, and expand pop-up and mobile vaccination sites.

James also encouraged Hochul to use state funds to provide millions of at-home COVID tests and offer financial incentives, as Mayor Bill de Blasio continues to do.

The attorney general also took aim at the state’s low rates for booster shots, which are now available to everyone older the age of 18, and have been shown to substantially increase recipients’ immunity.

“As of last week, New York had among the lowest rates of residents who had received booster shots in the country,” said James, who added that the state should report daily booster rates by county and region. “This is unacceptable, and New York must increase outreach to encourage boosters for New Yorkers.”