Tuesday 17 May 2022 05:58 PM NYC enters state of 'high' Covid alert as cases and hospitalizations with the ... trends now
New York City officials announced that the state is transitioning into 'high' COVID-19 alert levels, as cases and hospitalizations with the virus begin to rise.
The City's Department of Health announced the move Tuesday morning, with Health Commissioner Dr Ashwin Vasan announcing that it is the time to 'double down' on Covid prevention measures.
The change comes a day after city officials released a notice recommending all New Yorkers over the age of two mask in in-door public places - though they did not announce it would be mandated.
Covid cases in the Big Apple are rising, averaging 4,000 cases per day - a 50 percent increase over the past two weeks. Officials also report a 28 percent jump in hospitalizations and a 19 percent jump in deaths.
Around half of those hospitalizations are not even because of Covid, with data revealed last week finding that half of patients were actually receiving treatment for another ailment, and just tested positive while present.
Covid cases in New York City are beginning to trend upwards once again, though have not reached anywhere near the peak of the Omicron variant
NYC Covid hospitalizations have slightly increased in recent weeks after bottoming out in late April
Despite increasing cases and hospitalizations related to Covid - deaths in NYC have remained minimal
'New York City has transitioned to a high COVID alert level, meaning now is the time to double down on protecting ourselves and each other by making choices that can keep our friends, neighbors, relatives and coworkers from getting sick,' Vasan said on Twitter.
Health officials recommend residents get vaccinated, wear masks in indoor public places and outdoor crowded places, limit get-together to small numbers, avoid high risk activities and also take precautions like staying home when they feel ill.
Ashwin Vasan (pictured) said that 'now is the time to double down on protecting ourselves and each other'
On Monday, officials also announced they would distribute millions of Covid tests and masks in order to curb the spread of the virus as well.
'As a city, we have the tools to blunt the impact of this wave, including distributing tests, masks and promoting treatments,' Vasan continued on Twitter.
'Getting back to Low Risk depends on everyone doing their part and if we follow guidance, our forecasts anticipate this wave’s peak will not last long. What we do now can make all the difference.'
In the advisory notice issued Monday, officials said all residents over two years old should now wear face masks in indoor public spaces. It added that people over 65, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated should also consider donning the coverings outdoors and avoiding crowded settings.
It is at least the third Democrat-led city to recommend face masks are used again in all indoor settings, behind both Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
New York City has the fifth largest Covid outbreak in the country, with a rate of 363 cases per 100,000 people and is at the epicenter of the emergency of an even more transmissible version of Omicron — scientifically named BA.2.12.1.
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Connecticut all have higher Covid rates than New York City. None have re-imposed masks in indoor spaces.
Less than half of 'Covid' patients in New York City were people admitted because of the virus, state data shows. This figure has remained below 50 percent since early February, statistics reveal
The above shows Covid case rates across states. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Connecticut all have higher infection rates than New York City but are not recommending a return of mask mandates at this stage
New York City moved to a 'medium' Covid alert level last week.
This did not change any rules — with masks still required on public transport — but officials warned that should they shift to a high alert level massk will again be mandated in all indoor spaces and limits on public gatherings will be put in place.
This will be triggered if it reaches 20 admissions per
