Colin Powell, who is a native New Yorker and history-maker, has died due to complications from COVID-19. Powell was 84 years old. His death is considered a breakthrough case of COVID-19, as he was fully vaccinated according to his family. He died at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. A message about his passing was posted to his Facebook page,

General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19. He was fully vaccinated. We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American. ~The Powell Family

He was born April 5, 1937, in Harlem, New York, NY, to Jamaican immigrants. In 1989, Colin Powell made history by becoming the youngest person and the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. Powell made history again in 2001 when he became the first appointed black Secretary of State under President George W. Bush. You can read more about his life in his book My American Journey by Colin Powell with Joseph E. Persico.

The last photo of Powell posted to his Facebook page was from his visit to the Kennedy Center, where he spoke at a September 11 Commemoration event.

Credit: ABC 7 NY

More Than 100,000 Fully Vaccinated New Yorkers Have Caught COVID-19

There have been more than 100,000 people across New York State who have still caught COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated. Breakthrough cases in the state represent approximately 0.9 percent of the residents, ages 12 and older, who are fully vaccinated. The New York State Department of Health reported 106,308 laboratory-confirmed breakthrough cases as of October 10, 2021. That's an increase of almost 30,000 cases from September 20, when there were 78,416 breakthrough cases.  Of those nearly 110,000 cases, there have been 7,091 hospitalizations, which represents 0.06 percent of the population of fully vaccinated people ages 12 years or older.

Vaccine breakthrough cases are defined as instances in which an individual tested positive for COVID-19 after being fully-vaccinated (more than 14 days after completing their vaccine series). These findings demonstrate that such cases and hospitalizations have occurred in New York State, but at levels substantially lower than among unvaccinated people. This is because COVID-19 vaccines are working to protect the health of New Yorkers.

If you are a New York resident who has not been vaccinated yet, you can visit this website to set up an appointment to get your vaccine or booster.

Get our free mobile app

LOOK: 28 Modern Black History Makers & Moments

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Major NY Sports

10 Counties in New York With the Highest Poverty Rates

 

More From 96.1 The Eagle