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NYC COVID-19 Resources:

NYC COVID-19 City-wide information portal

Find the resources across NYC City agencies for New Yorkers, Businesses, and Non-Profits.

Click to access: NYC.gov/COVID-19

COVID-19 Testing Sites

To find a testing site near you, enter your address below, or text "COVID TEST" to 855-48.

Click to access: NYC.gov/COVIDTEST

COVID-19 Vaccine

DOHMH has created a Vaccine web page to keep New Yorkers up to date.

Click to access: NYC.gov/COVIDVACCINE

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to certain groups in NYC. Learn which groups are currently eligible for the vaccine, and which may be eligible next.

Click to access:

NYC.gov/COVIDVACCINEDISTRIBUTION

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Data

Through the City's Vaccine Command Center, we will closely monitor how many vaccine doses have been:

Reserved by the federal government for NYC
Delivered to NYC
Given to people in NYC

Click to access: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution DATA

COVID-19 Data

The data reflects the most recent information collected about people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in NYC. It is updated daily.

Click to access COVID-19 DATA

General Information on COVID-19

There is increasing transmission of COVID-19 in New York City and widespread transmission across the United States and in many other countries. Read about: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page

New COVID-19 Variant

What we know - Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and persist. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.

What we do not know - Scientists are working to learn more about these variants, and more studies are needed to understand:

How widely these new variants have spread
How the new variants differ
How the disease caused by these new variants differs from the disease caused by other variants that are currently circulating

What it means- Public health officials are studying these variants quickly to learn more to control their spread. They want to understand whether the variants:

Spread more easily from person to person
Cause milder or more severe disease in people
Are detected by currently available viral tests
Respond to medicines currently being used to treat people for COVID-19
Change the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. There is no evidence that this is occurring, and most experts believe this is unlikely to occur because of the nature of the immune response to the virus.

Test and Trace Corps

The NYC Test & Trace Corps is a public health initiative to fight the threat of COVID-19.

Test - Get a COVID-19 Test and an Antibody test to know if you have been exposed to the virus. - The tests are FREE, confidential and safe. More than 200 testing sites now open. Learn more.

Trace - Answer the call of the Contact Tracers - they provide support to New Yorkers who test positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts. Learn more.

Take Care - Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones - Safely isolate in a free, comfortable and convenient hotel room or at home. Learn more. Learn more.

Seasonal Flu (Influenza)

As the flu and COVID-19 will likely circulate at the same time this season, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/flu-seasonal.page

COVID-19 Community Conversations:

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is providing a free 60-minute virtual presentation entitled COVID-19 Community Conversations: Mental Health, Equity & Resilience. The COVID-19 Community Conversation presentation covers topics including grief, trauma, coping, resilience and mental health tips.

Click here to register for an upcoming presentation!

Economic Impact Payments

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, eligible individuals and families will receive a second round of Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) by direct deposit or mail. The second payments are up to $600 for single filers and $1,200 for married couples filing jointly plus an additional $600 for each dependent child under age 17. No action is required by most eligible recipients. You can check your stimulus payment status via IRS at irs.gov/eip

If you did not receive a first or second stimulus payment and think you may be eligible, or did not receive the full payment amount, you may be eligible to obtain a stimulus payment by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 federal tax return. You can learn about NYC Free Tax Prep services to file your taxes and receive a stimulus payment(s) for free.

Dear New Yorker,

As we begin the New Year, we want to reaffirm our commitment to keeping you informed.

As New York City continues to respond to COVID-19, we want to ensure this newsletter continues to deliver information on critical resources and city updates. To this end, we have refreshed the look and organized it to find information easier.

As 2021 promises a new beginning, we are confident that we will overcome any challenges and rise together.

In partnership,

América Cañas,

Acting Commissioner, Mayor's Community Affairs Unit

Key Updates:

New York City middle school buildings will reopen for in-person learning beginning Thursday, February 25.

Your child's school will contact you with your student's specific in-person schedule. High school students will continue to learn remotely until further notice.

New York City indoor dining can reopen at 25 percent capacity on February 12

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York City indoor dining can reopen at 25 percent capacity on February 12, Lunar New Year Day. The reopening was previously scheduled for Valentine's Day, but restaurants requested an earlier reopening date to allow staff to prepare and the request has been granted. The reopening is subject to strict state guidance, which can be found here.

Recovery for All NYC

For working families across New York City, the comeback cannot wait for next year. Mayor Bill de Blasio is responding to this urgent crisis by unveiling RecoveryForAll.nyc.gov during this year's State of the City, prioritizing:

- Vaccinate to Jumpstart the recovery

- Bend Government to Fight Inequality

- Build a New Economy

- Close the Achievement Gap

- Community Power in Neighborhood Policing

- Fight the Climate Crisis

Find out more by visiting RecoveryForAll.nyc.gov

Additional Resources:

NYC Health Post-COVID Clinics:

Post-COVID care clinics bring together multidisciplinary teams (including pulmonology, cardiology, rehabilitation, neurology and mental health) to provide a comprehensive treatment approach. Click here to find out more information.

GETFOODNYC:

Emergency Food Assistance Program - NYC.GOV/GETFOOD

Become an Emergency Food Provider -

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/emergency-food-assistance-program.page

NYC Health + Hospitals:

As part of the largest municipal health care system in the world, NYC Health + Hospitals' public hospitals and neighborhood health centers offer a wide variety of excellent mental health services to foster recovery from mental illness of all kinds. We help patients rediscover their strengths and abilities, as well as overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Click to learn more.

THRIVENYC:

Call 1-888-NYC-WELL If you are thinking about suicide, or know someone who is, counselors are available to listen to and support you 24/7. Contact NYC Well by calling 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355), texting "WELL" to 65173 or chatting at nyc.gov/nycwell. If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of hurting themselves, or in immediate danger because of a health condition or other situation, call 911.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Hours: Available 24 hours.

Languages: English, Spanish.

Domestic Violence Support:

NYC 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP):

File Your Taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep

File your taxes in-person or online with NYC Free Tax Prep if you earned $68,000 or less in 2020. See filing options below. Additional sites will open in January. The deadline to file 2020 tax returns is April 15, 2021.

* Read FAQs about NYC Free Tax Prep.

Workplace Laws: NYC workplace laws are still in effect. There have been new amendments to the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law that will take effect in 2 Phases. Click here to learn more about employee rights and employer responsibilities.

Returning to Work During COVID-19:

Important Information for Domestic Workers and Their Employers. Click here for more information.

Learn more about important guidelines and resources available to workers under Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the reopening: www.nyc.gov/workers

NYC Department of Small Business Services:

Training for Your Employees," a new resource that provides business owners and their employees with training in digital literacy, marketing tools, online security, and COVID-19 safety. Training courses include:

Communication: Google Meet and Gmail
Document Creation: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
Scheduling and Managing Zoom Meetings (for Hosts)
Microsoft Office Basics
Cloud Storage: Microsoft OneDrive and more.

Businesses can learn more about the program's eligibility criteria and access the application at www.nyc.gov/trainingemployees.

City Agency Service Update:

See more about: Agency Suspensions and Reductions

Important Dates to Know:

- Foro Comunitario Sobre la Vacuna del COVID-19 | COVID-19 Vaccine Community Forum (Click for more information), February 16th 2021at 6:00 pm. Language/s: Spanish.

- NYC Civic Corps (March 1, 2021) recruits and places AmeriCorps members to serve full time at select community-based organizations for 10 months. Our vision is that community-based organizations will more effectively utilize volunteers and more efficiently carry out their mission to make our city a more equitable place for all New Yorkers. Application close date: March 1, 2021. The website link to the application: www.nyc.gov/hostciviccorps

- New York State of Health Open Enrollment Period Extended Through March 31, 2021. As part of New York's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic the Open Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers will be extended through March 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health, New York's Official Health Plan Marketplace, or directly through insurers. Individuals who are eligible for other NY State of Health programs - Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus - can enroll year-round. As always, New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by phone at 1-855-355-5777, and by connecting with a free enrollment assister.

- Seeking input from Youth & CBOs in Inwood/Washington Heights: On January 12th, the Mayor's Office of the Chief Technology Officer (MOCTO), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and the Mayor's Office of ThriveNYC announced the winners for the NYC[x] Co-Labs Accessible Mental Health Challenge, which supports innovative, tech-enabled solutions from startups, technologists, and innovators to close mental healthcare gaps for the youngest New Yorkers in Washington Heights and Inwood. As part of the Accessible Mental Health Challenge, two winners ( NextStep HealthTech and Me, Myself & I) hope to partner with CBO staff and youth from Inwood/Washington Heights through the duration of the project by informing community engagement strategies and shape the development of innovative solutions to promote mental health.

You can learn more about the opportunity to partner with us by checking out our recent Community Webinar here.

From the Press Office:

Federal Pharmacy Program Boosts City Vaccination Effort

The federal program will increase New York City's allocation by 26,500 doses per week

Pharmacies will offer on-site COVID-19 vaccines to New Yorkers older than 65

February 11, 2021 - The number of vaccine doses available for New York City each week received a 26,500-dose boost through a federal program that provides retail pharmacies with the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will be delivered directly to pharmacies specifically for New Yorkers who are older than 65 under New York State guidelines. Older New Yorkers are an especially important population due to risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19.

"Pharmacies are a trusted part of our infrastructure, particularly for seniors who rely on them for medications and other services," said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. "These additional doses will be a lifeline for so many city residents."

This week (beginning 2/8), the 26,500 doses allocated to the pharmacy program increased the city's doses by 20% from the 131,825 allocated to 158,325 first doses. In the coming week (beginning 2/15), the additional 26,500 weekly doses will be added to the expected 138,125 doses to bring the total to 164,625.

In New York City, the federal pharmacy partners are Walgreens/Duane Reade, Costco and Rite Aid. The new program will increase the number of access points on the City's Vaccine Finder by more than 250 sites this week. These include 188 Walgreens sites, 75 Rite Aid sites and 5 Costco sites.

This increases the total number of vaccine access points open to any of the eligible public to approximately 400.

The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program is a partnership between the CDC, pharmacies and local governments that will increase access to COVID-19 vaccination across the country. The Biden Administration has allocated 1-million doses across the country, proportional to population.

Eligible New Yorkers can look for appointments online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

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Vaccine For All: Citi Field Site Opens Today

February 10, 2021

NEW YORK-The Citi Field vaccination site is officially up and running, Mayor de Blasio announced today. Operated by the NYC Test & Trace Corps, the site will serve eligible Queens residents, along with priority appointments for TLC and food service workers from across the five boroughs.

"It's amazin': the Mets are hitting it out of the park today," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "They are stepping up to the plate in a big way by making Citi Field a vaccination site for Queens residents and the essential heroes who keep our city running." (Click here to read more).

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City Finances Nearly 30,000 Affordable Homes in 2020, Keeping Nation-Leading Housing Plan on Track

February 9, 2021

Second-highest calendar year total in New York City history

About 178,000 affordable homes secured and over 150,000 jobs created since 2014

NEW YORK-Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) today to announce that the City financed the construction or preservation of 29,521 affordable homes in calendar year 2020 - the second-highest calendar year total in New York City history. These homes keep the City on track to meet its nation-leading goal to provide 300,000 affordable homes by 2026. Fifty-seven percent of affordable homes created in 2020 will serve families of three earning less than $52,000 per year.

"Nothing will stop New York City from keeping its promise to create a more livable and affordable city - not even a pandemic," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "By leading the nation in financing affordable housing construction and preservation, New York City will remain a place that welcomes everyone and keeps families in their homes - all while delivering a recovery for all of us."

Creating and preserving affordable housing is a critical pillar of Your Home NYC, the Mayor's comprehensive housing plan. Your Home NYC helps to: protect tenants by offering free legal advice and representation, emergency rental assistance, and other eviction prevention measures; ensure housing quality through code enforcement and home fix programs; and provide affordable housing by financing the construction and rehabilitation of public and income-restricted private housing. New Yorkers can access all these resources via the City's housing portal: nyc.gov/housing. (Click here to read more).

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Recovery for All of Us: Mayor de Blasio Launches First-Ever NYC Environmental Justice for All Report

February 9, 2021

NEW YORK-Mayor Bill de Blasio, in partnership with the NYC Environmental Justice Advisory Board, today announced the launch of the community engagement process for the Environmental Justice For All report, an unprecedented comprehensive study of environmental justice issues that will lead to the development of a citywide Environmental Justice Plan. The engagement effort will prioritize the low-income communities and communities of color that have borne the brunt of environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and America's fossil fuel economy.

"A recovery for all of us means a healthier and more sustainable city," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Change starts at the grassroots, and we will hear from communities most impacted by climate change, pollution and more to end the era of environmental racism and create a more livable future, together." (Click here to read more).

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