Health

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

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


Read More

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

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


Read More

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

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


Read More

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

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


Read More

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

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


Read More

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

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


Read More

Smoking Cessation Programs Available for Those Aiming to Quit in 2022

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


Read More

POTS Partners with City to Distribute Free COVID-19 Home Test Kits to Low-Income Bronx Families

By SÍLE MOLONEY
With COVID-19 cases spiking in New York City, Part of the Solution (POTS) soup kitchen and food pantry recently partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and NYC Health+Hospitals to become a distribution center for 5,800 COVID tests to ensure they were accessible to low-income families during the holidays.   The tests were distributed to those clients who had onsite appointments at the center for any of the comprehensive and personalized services POTS regularly provides to Bronxites to fight poverty and hunger in the borough. Some of the free services available at POTS´ facilities at 2759 Webster Avenue include


Read More

Montefiore’s “Holidays From the Heart” Program Supports Most Vulnerable and Financially Challenged Patients

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Five-month-old baby, Mason, from the Bronx, recently celebrated his first Christmas with a virtual visit from Santa at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).   Mason also received some holiday gifts thanks to the 2021 Holidays from the Heart campaign.   The Holidays From the Heart Program supports the most vulnerable and financially challenged patients at CHAM. “During this holiday season, as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, we sadly must restrict all visitors to CHAM,” Montefiore officials wrote on the Holidays from the Heart campaign page. “Through donations to the Holidays From the Heart campaign, we seek


Read More