Mayor Adams Holds COVID-19 Briefing

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES COVID-19 CASES DOWN, VACCINATIONS UP, AND ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR FREE AT-HOME DELIVERY

NYC COVID-19 Cases Down Over 80 Percent Since Early January

More Than 75 Percent of All New Yorkers Now Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19,

More Than 11 Percent Ahead of National Average

Different Treatment Options Available to New Yorkers With COVID-19,

Including Free Same-Day Delivery of Antiviral Medications

COVID-19 Antiviral Therapeutics and Monoclonal Antibody Treatments Effective at

Preventing Severe Outcomes, Especially for High-Risk New Yorkers

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced multiple new milestones in the fight against COVID-19, which includes a massive decrease in COVID-19 cases, a landmark milestone met in vaccination rates, and free at-home delivery options of COVID-19 treatments. Mayor Adams was joined by city health officials at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx to make clear that New Yorkers are winning in the fight against COVID-19, and encouraged them to take advantage of available options to reduce transmission rates and help them quickly recover from COVID-19. One treatment for COVID-19 — oral antiviral pills — is now available for free, same-day, at-home delivery through the Health Department’s pharmacy partner, Alto Pharmacy. Both oral antiviral pills and monoclonal antibodies have been proven to be effective at reducing severe outcomes, like hospitalization and death, and are available for those who test positive for COVID-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms.

Treatment is most effective when started soon after symptom onset, so the Health Department recommends that New Yorkers get tested right away if they feel sick. Due to limited supply of both monoclonal antibody treatments and antiviral pills, these treatments are prioritized for those who have tested positive and are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. New Yorkers who test positive should contact their doctor or call 212-COVID19 to be connected to care and to discuss treatment options available to them.

About Treatment Options

Oral antiviral pills — taken daily for five days — help to stop the virus from reproducing, which reduces the amount of virus in the body and prevents symptoms from getting worse. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized two oral antiviral pills to treat COVID-19: Paxlovid and Molnupiravir.

Monoclonal antibody treatments are a one-time injection or intravenous treatment that offer antibody protection while the body works to produce its own antibodies. Monoclonal antibody treatments, such as Sotrovimab, are effective against the Omicron variant and are for patients who have mild to moderate symptoms for 10 days or less but are at high-risk for severe illness.

New Yorkers who have symptoms and test positive should contact their health care provider or call 311 to be connected to medical care, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. New Yorkers can also talk to a NYC Health + Hospitals doctor by visiting ExpressCare and clicking on “Talk to a Doctor Now,” or by calling 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319).

About Alto Pharmacy

Alto is a leading telehealth pharmacy with pharmacist support and free same-day delivery across the five boroughs to ensure New Yorkers have access to treatment regardless of location or access to transportation. They provide care seven days a week on their app, over text and on the phone: (800)-874-5881.

Get Vaccinated and stay up to date!

A fully vaccinated person is much less likely to get sick or spread the virus that causes COVID-19, especially if they have their booster shot. To find a vaccination site, visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

Get Tested!

Testing remains an important part of reducing the spread of COVID-19. If you are feeling ill, believe you have been exposed, or have recently traveled or attended a gathering, visit nyc.gov/covidtest, text “COVID TEST” to 855-48, or call 311 to find a testing site near you.

Mask Up!

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status or past COVID-19 infection, should wear a mask at all times when indoors and in public settings. All masks should cover the nose and the mouth and rest snugly above the nose — below the mouth — and on the sides of the face. Higher quality masks — such as KN95s, KF94s, or N95s — offer an additional layer of protection.

Stay Home!

If you are feeling sick, you should stay home and leave only to seek appropriate medical care and testing. If you are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection — such as those with underlying health conditions — avoid crowded settings, particularly indoor gatherings. Gathering with others increases the risk of COVID-19, especially if not everyone is vaccinated.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

Bronx

January 30, 2022