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Howard Zucker

Hochul Names New State Health Commissioner Hochul Names New State Health Commissioner
Hochul Names New State Health Commissioner New York Gov. Kathy Hochul continues making personnel changes from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s previous administration, this time with a new health commissioner. Hochul announced that she has chosen longtime healthcare professional Dr. Mary T. Bassett, to take over as the Commissioner of the Department of Health, replacing former top Cuomo aide Howard Zucker, who announced his resignation earlier this month. Original story - New York State Health Commissioner Resigns, Hochul Announces Bassett, who will be stepping down as the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health …
COVID-19: NY Announces New School Guidelines For Masks, Social Distancing COVID-19: NY Announces New School Guidelines For Masks, Social Distancing
Covid-19: NY Announces New School Guidelines For Masks, Social Distancing With schools ready to begin reopening, the New York State Department of Health has just laid out its guidance for mask-wearing and social distancing for students and staff. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the Public Health and Health Planning Council passed an emergency regulation and a determination was issued requiring all teachers, administrators, and other school employees to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing unless they show proof of vaccination. The emergency regulation authorizes the state Health Commissioner to require weekly testing or proof of vaccine…
COVID-19: Hochul Reveals Thousands More Deaths Than Cuomo Reported COVID-19: Hochul Reveals Thousands More Deaths Than Cuomo Reported
Covid-19: Hochul Reveals Thousands More Deaths Than Cuomo Reported New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s new administration has acknowledged nearly 12,000 more COVID-19 deaths across the state that had not been counted by her predecessor during the pandemic. Hochul, who vowed to be transparent during her inaugural address to New Yorkers, included a count of 55,395 Covid deaths in New York — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tally — in a press release released this week. Related story - COVID-19: Info On Masks Among Students, Vaccines For School Personnel Outlined By Hochul The number includes deaths from the virus throughout New York, and is higher …
COVID-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines COVID-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines
Covid-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines All health care workers in New York State will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with only limited exceptions for those with religious or medical exemptions. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that staff at hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate settings will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than Monday, Sept. 27. To date, 75 percent of the state’s estimated 450,000 hospital workers, 74 percent of the state’s 30,000 adult care facility workers, and 68 percent of the state’s 145,500 nursing home workers have compl…
COVID-19: NY Issues New Face Covering Guidelines For Schools After Reversing Earlier Mandate COVID-19: NY Issues New Face Covering Guidelines For Schools After Reversing Earlier Mandate
Covid-19: NY Issues New Face Covering Guidelines For Schools After Reversing Earlier Mandate New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo clarified the state’s stance on mask-wearing in schools following 24 hours of confusion on guidance for students. On Friday, June 4, New York Health Commissioner Howard Zucker sent a letter to Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asking to drop the mask mandates for students indoors as the state recovers from the worst of the pandemic. Earlier story - COVID-19: State's Reversal On Face Coverings At Schools Creates Last-Minute Mask Confusion The announcement led most to believe that masks would no longer be required …
COVID-19: State's Reversal On Face Coverings At Schools Creates Last-Minute Mask Confusion COVID-19: State's Reversal On Face Coverings At Schools Creates Last-Minute Mask Confusion
Covid-19: State's Reversal On Face Coverings At Schools Creates Last-Minute Mask Confusion New Yorkers are anxiously awaiting word from the CDC after the state was forced to reverse its stance on face coverings in schools for students. Late on Sunday night, June 6, state education officials said that masks will still be required during indoor classes, despite an announcement last week from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Health Commissioner Howard Zucker proclaiming that they will no longer be required. Earlier story - COVID-19: New York Loosening Mask Restrictions On Schools On Friday, June 4, Zucker said that masks will be “strongly encouraged” for unvaccinated people, but not requ…
COVID-19: New York Loosening Mask Restrictions On Schools COVID-19: New York Loosening Mask Restrictions On Schools
Covid-19: New York Loosening Mask Restrictions On Schools New York is loosening its mask-wearing restrictions for students and staff next week as the state continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning on Monday, June 7, masks will no longer be required indoors or outdoors in New York schools after seeing nearly two straight months of the COVID-19 positivity rate dropping. As of Monday, masks will be “strongly encouraged” for unvaccinated people, but not required. They will also not be needed outdoors, though people not fully vaccinated will be encouraged to wear them in high-risk circumstances. Anyone who is fully vaccinated will …
'When The Time Is Right I Will Tell You The Truth': Cuomo Again Denies Harassment Claims 'When The Time Is Right I Will Tell You The Truth': Cuomo Again Denies Harassment Claims
'When The Time Is Right I Will Tell You The Truth': Cuomo Again Denies Harassment Claims Gov. Andrew Cuomo doubled down on his vehement denials of any wrongdoing as the New York Attorney General’s Office continues its investigation into claims of sexual harassment from multiple women. Following a COVID-19 briefing earlier this month, Cuomo got heated with a reporter questioning him about the sexual harassment allegations, repeating that he has done nothing wrong. “You make me feel uncomfortable by some of the questions you ask me … There have to be other elements, that’s not sexual harassment,” he said while being questioned about whether or not he had an “intimate” relationshi…
COVID-19: Mask On? Mask Off? Cuomo Said State Is 'Reviewing' New CDC Guidance COVID-19: Mask On? Mask Off? Cuomo Said State Is 'Reviewing' New CDC Guidance
Covid-19: Mask On? Mask Off? Cuomo Said State Is 'Reviewing' New CDC Guidance Mask and facial covering restrictions may soon be eased up for fully vaccinated New Yorkers as the state and country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state is independently reviewing new CDC guidance on mask-wearing for vaccinated individuals indoors. The new guidance from the federal government calls for continued mask-wearing in more crowded indoor spaces such as on mass transportation, hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters, but eases restrictions on workplaces, schools, and similar locations. Earlier story - COVID-19: CDC Issues Brand-New Guida…
Report: Cuomo Aides' Effort To Keep Nursing Home Deaths Secret Greater Than Previously Known Report: Cuomo Aides' Effort To Keep Nursing Home Deaths Secret Greater Than Previously Known
Report: Cuomo Aides' Effort To Keep Nursing Home Deaths Secret Greater Than Previously Known New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration took another hit as a new report found that aides may have obscured the true COVID-19 death toll in the state’s nursing homes for months longer than initially believed. The New York Times is now reporting that aides meticulously schemed for months to conceal the number of virus-related fatalities that were being counted in nursing homes, with the scan lasting at least five months. According to the report, the effort to hide the true numbers included halting the publication of a scientific paper, which included the true tally, and the sending of at…
COVID-19: Dems In Assembly Expected To Take Action Against Cuomo For Nursing Home Scandal COVID-19: Dems In Assembly Expected To Take Action Against Cuomo For Nursing Home Scandal
Covid-19: Dems In Assembly Expected To Take Action Against Cuomo For Nursing Home Scandal Lawmakers in New York are expected to take action against Gov. Andrew Cuomo following the reveal that his administration underreported the number of COVID-19 deaths in the state’s nursing home and then sought to cover it up from the federal government. Democrats in the New York State Assembly held a lengthy hearing on Monday, Feb. 22, with the proposed removal of Cuomo's emergency powers among the topics. Democratic Assembly members again met on Tuesday, Feb. 23 for a lengthy hearing, but no consequences have yet been announced for Cuomo.  “I do think there’s a consensus of the member…
COVID-19: Here Are Testing Restrictions In Place As New York Resumes Nursing Home Visits COVID-19: Here Are Testing Restrictions In Place As New York Resumes Nursing Home Visits
Covid-19: Here Are Testing Restrictions In Place As New York Resumes Nursing Home Visits Nursing homes in New York will resume indoor visitation this week with certain testing restrictions in place depending on the county’s progress in combating COVID-19. Testing will not be required in counties with a positivity rate below 5 percent, while rapid testing will be required for any visitors in counties with a positivity rate between 5 percent and 10 percent. Regular visitation will not be allowed in counties with a positivity rate above 10 percent. Visits will also only be permitted at nursing homes that go 14 days without a COVID-19 case inside the facility within staff or resid…
COVID-19: DOJ Will Decide Whether To Probe Cuomo's Nursing Home Response, White House Says COVID-19: DOJ Will Decide Whether To Probe Cuomo's Nursing Home Response, White House Says
Covid-19: DOJ Will Decide Whether To Probe Cuomo's Nursing Home Response, White House Says The United States Department of Justice will determine whether or not to investigate the alleged underreporting of COVID-19 deaths in New York nursing homes. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday, Jan. 29 that it will be up to the Department of Justice to investigate following a report from New York Attorney General Letitia James, which found that the state may have underreported nursing home deaths by upwards of 50 percent. Earlier story - COVID-19: NY AG Report Says Nursing Home Deaths May Have Been Undercounted By 50 Percent “I’ve seen those reports,” Psaki said during a …
COVID-19: NY Health Director Denies Undercount On Nursing Home Deaths After Scathing AG Report COVID-19: NY Health Director Denies Undercount On Nursing Home Deaths After Scathing AG Report
Covid-19: NY Health Director Denies Undercount On Nursing Home Deaths After Scathing AG Report New York Health Commissioner Howard Zucker is defending the state following Attorney General Letitia James’ newly released report that alleges COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes were underreported by as much as 50 percent. The report found the state negligible for COVID-19-related deaths inside New York nursing homes that had previously gone unreported, which Zucker has denied in a lengthy statement released late on Thursday, Jan. 28, just hours after the report was released. Earlier story - COVID-19: NY AG Report Says Nursing Home Deaths May Have Been Undercounted By 50 Percent …
COVID-19: NY Sets New Rules For Vaccines, Including Fines, Issues Updated Guidance For Schools COVID-19: NY Sets New Rules For Vaccines, Including Fines, Issues Updated Guidance For Schools
Covid-19: NY Sets New Rules For Vaccines, Including Fines, Issues Updated Guidance For Schools Some hospitals in New York are doing a better job than others in maximizing their allocations of COVID-19 vaccinations, and as a result, the state is launching new rules and possible fines. During a COVID-19 briefing on Monday, Jan. 4 in Albany, Cuomo said that while some New York have utilized nearly all of their allocated vaccinations, others, including several systems in downstate New York, have only used between 20 percent or 30 percent of their designated doses. 
Statewide, just 46 percent of the doses allocated to hospitals have been administered in the first few weeks of the vaccinat…
COVID-19: NYS To Launch Pilot Program To Allow Nearly 7,000 Fans At Bills NFL Playoff Game COVID-19: NYS To Launch Pilot Program To Allow Nearly 7,000 Fans At Bills NFL Playoff Game
Covid-19: NYS To Launch Pilot Program To Allow Nearly 7,000 Fans At Bills NFL Playoff Game Bills Nation will be in attendance when the team takes the field for its first home playoff game in a quarter of a century as the state uses the game to test a pilot COVID-19 rapid testing program. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, Dec. 30 that the state has reached an agreement with the Bills and the National Football League to allow approximately 6,700 fans in attendance as they look to see if rapid testing can help open up the economy further until the COVID-19 vaccination can hit critical mass. Cuomo said that he believes the pilot program is the first of its type in th…
COVID-19: NY High School Winter Sports On Hold Amid Rise In Cases, Officials Say COVID-19: NY High School Winter Sports On Hold Amid Rise In Cases, Officials Say
Covid-19: NY High School Winter Sports On Hold Amid Rise In Cases, Officials Say Winter high school sports are on hold in New York as the state continues to see a spike in COVID-19 cases. No official determination has been made, but some of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top aides have expressed doubt about whether winter sports will be able to begin later this month, as had been the plan when cases had bottomed out earlier this year. “As we’re seeing the inclines in different parts of the state, we’re not inclined to go ahead with opening the winter sports at this time,” Robert Mujica, the state’s budget director said this week. “We’re continuing to look at those numbers…
COVID-19: Local Governments Can Now Be Fined $10K A Day At Virus Hotspots In NY COVID-19: Local Governments Can Now Be Fined $10K A Day At Virus Hotspots In NY
Covid-19: Local Governments Can Now Be Fined $10K A Day At Virus Hotspots In NY Local governments at New York COVID hotspots can now be fined up to $10,000 a day if they failed to enforce compliance with the state's pandemic protocols.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday, Oct. 2 that the Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker is sending send an order to COVID hotspot local governments establishing a framework for reporting their enforcement activities. The letter also states specific consequences for failure to enforce the State Department of Health emergency regulations and the Cuomo's executive orders related to social distancing, mask compliance, and capac…
COVID-19: Visitation Restrictions Relaxed At Nursing Homes, 
NY DOH Says COVID-19: Visitation Restrictions Relaxed At Nursing Homes, 
NY DOH Says
Covid-NY DOH Says New York is easing up on its nursing home visitation restrictions as the state continues to combat the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday, Sept. 15, state health officials announced that approximately 500 of the state’s 613 nursing homes can reopen to visitors if they have not had any positive COIVD-19 cases for at least 14 days, down from the previous mandate of no cases within 28 days. The new rules come into effect on Thursday, Sept. 17 following thousands of confirmed and presumed COVID-19-related deaths in nursing homes across the state, especially at the outset of the outbreak. "We under…
COVID-19: NY Schools Required To Provide Latest Data For New Online Dashboard Tracking Cases COVID-19: NY Schools Required To Provide Latest Data For New Online Dashboard Tracking Cases
Covid-19: NY Schools Required To Provide Latest Data For New Online Dashboard Tracking Cases With schools reopening through either hybrid or remote learning plans, the state has set up a new COVID-19 dashboard in which the latest data will be required so parents and educators may monitor the number of cases connected to students and teachers. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York school districts must provide the Department of Health with daily COVID-19 data regarding people who test positive in each school building beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8. The dashboard will be launched and made public here as of Wednesday, Sept. 9, when most schools will be back in session. School…
COVID-19: CDC 'Schizophrenic' Over Reversal On Testing, NY Will Ignore New Guidance, Cuomo Says COVID-19: CDC 'Schizophrenic' Over Reversal On Testing, NY Will Ignore New Guidance, Cuomo Says
Covid-19: CDC 'Schizophrenic' Over Reversal On Testing, NY Will Ignore New Guidance, Cuomo Says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is continuing his war of words with federal agencies, this time calling out the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for its new announcement on testing for COVID-19 and mandatory quarantines for some travelers. The CDC reversed course this week, now saying that anyone who comes into close contact with a person with COVID-19 no longer needs to be tested, while also altering guidance on travel quarantines. Instead of mandatory quarantines and testing, the CDC is now saying that it’s only recommending people get tested if they are considered high-risk for the virus or…
COVID-19: State Investigating Massive Hamptons Concert; Cuomo Calls It 'Illegal, Reckless' COVID-19: State Investigating Massive Hamptons Concert; Cuomo Calls It 'Illegal, Reckless'
Covid-19: State Investigating Massive Hamptons Concert; Cuomo Calls It 'Illegal, Reckless' A weekend concert in the Hamptons has drawn the ire of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo when party-goers failed to socially distance or wear proper face coverings amid the COVID-19 crisis. Cuomo vowed to investigate the purported drive-in “Safe & Sound” benefit concert in Southampton after hundreds gathered for a celebration violating state COVID-19 mandates. The planned “drive-in” concert was only supposed to reach a capacity of 500 cars and an estimated 3,000 people, headlined by The Chainsmokers. Currently, gatherings of more than 50 people who cannot socially distance are banned in New…
COVID-19: These Businesses Will Not Be Allowed To Open In Phase Four Of NY Reopening COVID-19: These Businesses Will Not Be Allowed To Open In Phase Four Of NY Reopening
Covid-19: These Businesses Will Not Be Allowed To Open In Phase Four Of NY Reopening Though New York is in the midst of recovering from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, some businesses will still not be opening up during Phase 4 of reopening. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that shopping malls, gyms, and movie theaters are among the businesses that will not be reopening with regions approaching Phase 4. Long Island and the mid-Hudson Valley are both on track to enter Phase 4 in approximately two weeks, with half of the state’s five regions to reach the benchmark as of Friday, June 26. "There are some things that don’t fit neatly into a phase that a…
More Info Emerges On COVID-Related Illness In Children As 14 States Now Investigating Cases More Info Emerges On COVID-Related Illness In Children As 14 States Now Investigating Cases
More Info Emerges On Covid-related Illness In Children As 14 States Now Investigating Cases Health officials are sharing new information about the pediatric inflammatory illness linked to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with 14 states now investigating cases. New York State has the most cases with 102. Other states now investigating cases are Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington. So far, those states have not yet released details on the cases. The illness displays symptoms similar to those of Kawasaki disease or toxic shock-like syndrome. "Pediatric m…
Trump Makes First Public Comments On New Rochelle As National Guard Arrives In Containment Area Trump Makes First Public Comments On New Rochelle As National Guard Arrives In Containment Area
Trump Makes First Public Comments On New Rochelle As National Guard Arrives In Containment Area Reinforcements have arrived in Westchester to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in one of the nation’s largest hotspots for the virus, with President Donald Trump publicly commenting on the one-mile containment zone for the first time. The National Guard arrived in New Rochelle on Thursday, March 12, and the containment zone officially took effect surrounding the source of the outbreak, Young Israel of New Rochelle. A 50-year-old New Rochelle attorney became the second New Yorker to test positive for the virus last week, and has been in quarantine since. Unknowingly, he attended a bar…
Westchester Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Now At 26 With 33 In State, Cuomo Says Westchester Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Now At 26 With 33 In State, Cuomo Says
Westchester Confirmed Covid-19 Cases Now At 26 With 33 In State, Cuomo Says There have been 11 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York State - including the first ones in Rockland County - bringing the total to 33 statewide. New York Gov Andrew Cuomo provided the update Friday afternoon, March 6 at a news briefing in Albany. The two cases involving Rockland both involve people who worked the Westchester wedding the 50-year-old New Rochelle lawyer attended at Young Israel of New Rochelle. One of the new positive cases was in New York City and the rest were all in Westchester. A total of 26 of the 33 COVID-19 virus cases involve Westchester residents and 28 a…
Number Of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases In Westchester Jumps To 18 From 10, Cuomo Says Number Of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases In Westchester Jumps To 18 From 10, Cuomo Says
Number Of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases In Westchester Jumps To 18 From 10, Cuomo Says The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Westchester County has jumped to 18 from 10 in one day. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday, March 5 that the number of cases had risen to 18, with the eight new cases all related to the 50-year-old New Rochelle attorney who was the first county resident to contract the virus. A day earlier, Cuomo announced the wife and children of the attorney tested positive. A neighbor, a friend, and his friend's family also tested positive, bringing the number to 10. The statewide total is now 22, with three cases in New York City and the first con…
Record-Breaking Total Number Of Flu Cases Reported In New York Record-Breaking Total Number Of Flu Cases Reported In New York
Record-Breaking Total Number Of Flu Cases Reported In New York With the world’s attention focused on the global outbreak of coronavirus, New York quietly surpassed the record number of flu cases the state has ever seen. In the week ending on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10,520 new cases of flu were reported throughout New York State, bringing the seasonal total to 131,604, a new high for any yearly flu season since the Department of Health began tracking cases in 1999.   Previously, the most lab-confirmed influenza cases reported during a single flu season was 128,892 in 2017-18. Despite that, last week, the number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases dec…
Seven Possible NY Coronavirus Cases Sent To CDC For Testing Seven Possible NY Coronavirus Cases Sent To CDC For Testing
Seven Possible NY Coronavirus Cases Sent To CDC For Testing Seven cases of the highly contagious coronavirus in New York has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and testing, the state Health Department announced. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday, Jan. 26 that seven people have been identified for testing, with three coming up negative, and four still pending. There have been no confirmed cases in New York as of Monday, Jan. 27. Health officials did not say where the New Yorkers being tested lived. The coronavirus has been linked to 56 deaths in China and has infected more than 2,700. According to Cuomo, with travelers expecte…
Two New Vaping-Related Deaths Reported In New York Two New Vaping-Related Deaths Reported In New York
Two New Vaping-Related Deaths Reported In New York Two more deaths in New York have been attributed to vaping-related illnesses, officials announced. The New York State Department of Health announced on Friday, Jan. 17, that a woman in her 20s living in New York City and another in her 50s died in Ontario County. The latest deaths bring the total statewide to four deaths from vaping-related illnesses. According to the New York State Health Department, 40 percent of high school seniors and 27 percent of all high school students statewide use e-cigarettes. High school students also use e-cigarettes at rates five times higher than adults over…