Mayor Adams Announces COVID-19 Cases Down, Vaccinations Up, and Antiviral Medications Available for Free At-Home Delivery

January 30, 2022

Video available at: https://youtu.be/0UfXb37EhLs

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 – 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.

“Not only is New York City winning in the fight against COVID-19, but we are bringing even more help right to New Yorkers’ front doors to continue beating this pandemic,” said Mayor Adams. “We’ve not only decreased the amount of cases by more than 80 percent since early January, but hit a new milestone with 75 percent of all New Yorkers fully vaccinated — way ahead of the national average. We’re also offering high-risk New Yorkers, free, at-home delivery of COVID-19 antiviral pills to prevent serious illness and keep people out of the hospital. I urge all eligible New Yorkers to take advantage of this service, and for every New Yorker to stay up to date with their vaccines and boosters.  This is about saving lives and getting our city moving again.”

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.

“We must continue to do all we can to prevent needless suffering and death caused by COVID-19,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “These treatments — combined with high-quality masks, vaccination, testing, and our other public health precautions — help us to defang the virus and keep New Yorkers safe and healthy.”

“Our city’s public health care system is seeing a decline in COVID-19 hospital admissions, but we are still very busy treating severely ill patients,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Free, at-home delivery of these antiviral pills will keep high-risk New Yorkers out of the hospital so we can immediately free up critical resources.”

“As a primary care doctor right here in the Bronx, for the past two years I’ve been fighting to help my patients with COVID, and dreaming of the day when I could give them a pill that could save their life,” said Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Care and Population Health at New York City Health + Hospitals and NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long. “Today, that day is finally here — and we’ll even deliver that pill to your home to remove all barriers to New Yorkers getting this life-saving treatment. As always, if you don’t have a doctor that can prescribe these medicines for you, Test & Trace is here to help. Anyone can call our hotline at 212-COVID19 to be connected to NYC Health + Hospital’s Virtual ExpressCare and talk to a healthcare provider.”

“We’re honored to be able to support the city in the fight against COVID-19,” said Matt Gamache-Asselin, co-founder, Alto Pharmacy. “Our team is working around the clock to get antivirals to New Yorkers who need 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. Alto is currently the city’s exclusive provider of oral antiviral pulls until supply increases to sufficiently stock multiple pharmacy providers. 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.