UPDATE Jacobi Welcomes First Baby of the New Year as Hochul Urges Parents to Vaccinate Kids

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Jacobi Medical Center, part of NYC Health + Hospitals public hospital system, welcomed its first baby of the New Year, Sophia Parra-Garcia, on Jan. 1 at 1.22 a.m. The baby girl weighed in at 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and is just 17 inches tall. Her proud parents, Elaine Garcia Blanco and Michael Parra Lopez, are pictured above and below – her mom holding her new bundle of joy. Judging by these cute photos of the adorable little girl, who seemed to be fast asleep in her mom’s arms, Baby Sophia appeared nonplussed over the buzz she generated at Jacobi

By SÍLE MOLONEY

In response to the unprecedented surge of omicron cases and citywide testing demand, as reported, the NYC Test & Trace Corps announced on Wednesday, Jan. 5, that, since the surge began in early December, it has doubled the number of City-run test sites available, opening over 100 new fixed and mobile COVID-19 testing sites, as reported, and is currently operating over 200 testing sites throughout New York City. NYC Health + Hospitals president and CEO, Mitchell Katz, MD, said the NYC Test & Trace Corps’ ability to expand the number of COVID-19 testing sites so quickly “by triple

By DAVID GREENE

As the COVID-19 Omicron variant continues to spread across the Bronx, local residents have been seen waiting on increasingly longer lines for vaccination boosters, for COVID-19 testing and for food. Meanwhile many local restaurants have, once again, suspended in-person dining. On Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the COVID-19 mobile testing bus, parked outside St. James’ Park at Jerome Avenue and East 192nd Street in Fordham Manor, moments after being tested, one woman who declined to be identified was asked if she was feeling sick. She replied, “No, but somebody at work got sick, so I’m just being cautious that I

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed a “Small Business Forward” executive order on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to reform existing business regulations, with the aim of helping local businesses face fewer and what was described as “needless” fines and penalties. The executive order builds upon Local Law 80, and calls on the City’s Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (CWP), and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to review business regulations with the goal of reducing fine schedules, and allowing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Amid the continued surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant across the United States and around the world, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer made an announcement on Sunday, Jan. 2, about both testing in New York, and a new push to deliver New York State with enough of the newest weapon in the war on COVID: antiviral pills. The FDA recently authorized two antiviral pills to treat people with #COVID19. Both antiviral pills are currently only available to people who have tested positive and are at the highest risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Schumer said that science has finally

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in ascertaining the whereabouts of an 85-year-old woman reported missing in the Mt Hope section of the Bronx, in the 46th precinct, on Jan. 1. Albertha Graham, 85, of 1820 Morris Avenue in the Bronx, New York was last seen on Friday, Dec. 31, at 1.30 p.m., leaving her home with a shopping cart. She is described as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 170 pounds, is of a medium build, has a dark complexion, and has black and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Montefiore Health System’s first baby of the New Year, born within the hospital’s network, was a baby girl, born in The Bronx in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2022. Chimbusuto “Suto” Nwanko arrived in the world at 5:50 a.m. The baby girl weighs 3.402kg/ 7lbs 8oz and is 18 inches long. The baby’s mom, Uzoamaka Nwanko, is from The Bronx. Pictured are mother and baby, grandmother, Roseline Nwanko, together with nurses, Elizabeth Decaro, RN and Meghan Devivo, RN. Meanwhile, New York City announced on Dec. 23 that the most popular names in the City are Emma

By SÍLE MOLONEY

For the millions of people who may be planning to give up smoking as a new year’s resolution in 2022, NYC Health + Hospitals offers smoking cessation programs, specifically designed to help individuals with their objective. Jacobi Medical Center’s program incorporates both individual and group counseling, and included a six-week intensive plan. Proactive telephone counseling is also available to assist ex-smokers in remaining tobacco-free. Pharmacotherapy recommendations, (PATCH AND GUM) are based on each individual’s complete medical history and a comprehensive tobacco questionnaire. Social support is also available as part of the treatment and is an important component in

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UPDATE Jacobi Welcomes First Baby of the New Year as Hochul Urges Parents to Vaccinate Kids

UPDATE Jacobi Medical Center Welcomes First Baby of the New Year as Hochul Urges Parents to Vaccinate Kids

NYC Test & Trace Team Doubles Number of Testing Sites To Deal with Omicron Surge

COVID Closures Return Across The Bronx with Long Lines for Testing, Boosters & Food

Adams Reforms Process for Small Business Violations & DSNY Pilots New “Smart Bins”

UPDATE Schumer Calls for More COVID-19 Antiviral Pills for NY as Sliwa Launches PAC to Oust Him

Mt Hope: Search for 85-Year-Old Missing Woman

Montefiore’s First Baby of the New Year is a Baby Girl from The Bronx!

Smoking Cessation Programs Available for Those Aiming to Quit in 2022