New York City continues to fight the increasing number of omicron infections.
On Wednesday, as the city welcomed a federal fleet of mobile units that will provide 25,000 additional tests per week totally free, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, organized a virtual round table with the community and ethnic media in the city, to provide updates on the fight against Covid-19.
The authorities are focused on continuing to promote vaccination, booster vaccines, the use of masks, but increasing access to convenient and free tests, to break the transmission chains and stop the spread of COVID-19, is a priority.
In New York City, anyone can get tested. Because the tests help people determine if they have COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms and are at risk of transmitting the virus to others, demand for testing in the city has reached record levels of more than 150,000. tests per day.
Participating in the virtual roundtable were Raquel Batista, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs, and Dr. Torian Easterling, Vice Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
DR. TORIAN EASTERLING
“We are not out of the woods, but the testability allows us to detect more infections and help stop the spread.” He was decisive when stating that “The main thing we have always known, due to the rise in the omicron is that there are individual events of this respiratory virus, linked to travel.”
“The omicron variant is responsible for more than 90 percent of infections in New York City. Vaccines continue to show that they are a protection against the omicron variant. We must all get vaccinated, take the booster, use the mask. “
“We are not going to rest to protect the communities, because the virus is constantly changing. Currently, the municipal government is even giving an incentive of one hundred dollars in more than a thousand places in the city to continue with the vaccination campaign. We also offer vaccinations in your home, to request this service an appointment is required and you must visit the website. “
“Our health system remains non-emergency for now, but we must continue with the message of keeping communities safe, getting vaccinated, taking the booster, wearing the mask indoors. We have one of the best infrastructures in the entire country, we have hundreds of test sites and we know that millions of people in this country and in the world have been vaccinated and we have seen the benefits. “
“This new omicron variant is more contagious, including people who have already had the virus can become infected again, so it is important to help people understand, for example, if they have received the Jensen vaccine for the first time, when they are already eligible for the booster and receives another type of vaccines, such as Moderna or Pfizer, it is only necessary to take one vaccine, you do not need the second dose. “
“For our campaign, we are really listening to our patients and using our information to know where we are going. Communities are a priority for us, as are other vulnerable communities, such as seniors, youth, and other communities. The recommended thing at this time is to use more protective masks, such as the k95, which some of the associated groups are providing completely free of charge. “
Is there a strategy to absorb tourists in this process?
– To be sure that they are part, that they have information, that they know how to access resources, we work with hundreds of community organizations, we have held hundreds of talks, opened vaccination sites.
Our colleagues from the Detection and Monitoring Team are taking the information and we are distributing it in our airports and in our transportation system, to interact with individuals, to make sure that you have the information and that they can call, even if it is the first time they come to town.
To include access for different languages, for general information on the website in different languages. We even have hotels to accommodate individuals who test positive and are with large families, so that they are separated and safe.
The Dept. Health Department is doing extra work within thirty-three neighborhoods where the pandemic has been hardest, including neighborhoods in immigrant communities, and we are promoting that they get tested, get vaccinated, wear a mask, and know about the resources and help is available and available if you are sick, including resources to get your food home.
BATISTA COMMISSIONER
Commissioner Batista reiterated that the focus is to discuss the current situation of Covid 19 and what is needed to protect yourself during the holidays.
Commissioner Batista, this administration has only two weeks left, how will the efforts in the fight against Covid continue?
– As the mayor has said in his press conferences, he and the elected mayor are in permanent communication to talk about everything that happens in the city, including the pandemic and new infections. Our agency continues to work, it is something coordinated by all the agencies, it is not a priority of an administration, but of the city.
Vaccines are key to reducing the risk of serious illness or death, that is why we consider the importance of getting vaccinated and we work to ensure that the tests reach the communities, we are working with community entities.
COVID-19 testing is available at NYC Health + Hospitals testing sites and other locations. Home screenings for COVID-19 are available to all immunosuppressed New Yorkers and people age 65 and older.
Any matter about vaccination can be contacted at 212 268 4319
MEANS
To make an appointment and receive the vaccination at home, call (929) 298-9400 between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, seven days a week.