Legislative District 14 Update:
Dear Resident,
Nassau’s positivity rate dipped below 3% last week for the first time in months and this week the numbers fell even further. As of yesterday, the figure stood at 2.6%. For the past two months Nassau was reporting between 500-700 cases per day and now has about 300 cases daily as of this past week. That represents a significant drop of about 40%! Hospitalized patients with COVID also decreased with 302 patients in Nassau hospitals. It was 340 last week. There are 60 COVID patients in ICU and 35 on respirators. Approximately two-thirds of eligible residents (over 660,000 residents) in Nassau County have received at least the first dose of the vaccine.
We are now at a point where the demand vs. supply of the vaccine has shifted. Most sites around the state have enough vaccines available for anyone who wants them. Nassau’s vaccine program is now accepting direct appointments so pre-registration is no longer necessary. Appointments at many locations can be made within days rather than the weeks and months it was taking previously.
As of today, New Yorkers 60 and over can walk into any of 16 state run mass vaccinations sites without making an advance appointment. On Long Island, the sites accepting walk-ins are SUNY Old Westbury and Suffolk Community College in Brentwood. The Javits Center, Yankee Stadium and Aqueduct Racetrack are among those in New York City. Proof of identity and insurance information, if applicable, will be needed.
Nassau is expecting to reactivate its homebound vaccination program next week. Seniors are reminded that a special hotline number (516-227-9590) is available for those who have questions about the vaccine and to provide assistance in booking an appointment.
We are expecting an announcement today from the CDC/FDA concerning the pause in administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In the meantime, we are continuing to administer the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are completely unaffected by this pause and which make up most of the supply chain.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and ideas you may have with respect to the County or on any particular issue that you think I may be able to assist you with. You may contact me at (516) 571-6214 or by email at LSchaefer@NassauCountyNY.gov .
Have a great weekend, everyone! 😊
Sincerely,
Laura M. Schaefer
Legislator, District 14