Here's what else you need to know tonight:

 

1. New York State and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital launched a new vaccination site for eligible New Yorkers in Washington Heights. This new site, at Fort Washington Armory in Upper Manhattan, was made possible thanks to a partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The site is offering vaccinations to New Yorkers age 65 and up and appointments can be scheduled online through the NewYork-Presbyterian Connect Online Patient Portal. Appointments are required. 

 

2. Total hospitalizations fell to 8,823. Of the 212,589 tests reported yesterday, 13,661, or 6.42 percent, were positive. There were 1,536 patients in ICU yesterday, up 35 from the previous day. Of them, 956 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 202 New Yorkers to the virus. 

 

3. New State-run vaccination sites are coming soon. Today the first vaccinations began at a drive-thru vaccination site at Jones Beach on Long Island. More sites will come online shortly, including sites in Buffalo, Rochester and Plattsburgh. All vaccination sites are by appointment only. For New York State-run sites, if you are eligible you can make an appointment at ny.gov/vaccine if there are appointments available.  

 

4. The Finger Lakes has the highest rate of COVID hospitalizations by population. There are 830 hospitalizations in the Finger Lakes, which represents 0.07 percent of the region's population. The Capital Region has 520 hospitalizations (0.05 percent); Central New York has 323 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Long Island has 1,658 hospitalizations (0.06 percent); the Mid-Hudson Region has 1,015 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Mohawk Valley has 309 hospitalizations (0.06 percent); New York City has 3,292 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); Southern Tier has 249 hospitalizations (0.04 percent); and Western New York has 517 hospitalizations (0.04 percent of its population). The North Country, with 110 hospitalizations (0.03 percent), has the lowest rate of hospitalizations due to COVID. 

 

5. New York has conducted over 28 million tests to date. Getting tested regularly is a good way to help ensure your health and the health of those around you. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.

 

Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Syracuse-born musician Post Malone is donating 10,000 pairs of Crocs to support frontline workers. In partnership with the nonprofit Musicians on Call, the shoes—popular with nurses and other health care workers—will be distributed to staff at 70 hospitals across the country to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic. 

 

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State's Coronavirus Updates here.

 

Ever Upward,

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo