New York has changed its Covid-19 alert status from 'medium' to 'high' as cases have continued to rise in recent weeks. The rating means there is substantial pressure on the health care system in the city and there is high community spread. Hospitalisations have reached the benchmark of 10 per 100,000 residents.
While Queens, Brooklyn and Bronx have been reporting lower cases, Staten Island and Manhattan have been reporting a higher number of cases. The rating encourages New Yorkers to wear masks in public indoor spaces and crowded outdoor settings. Residents are also being asked to get booster shots if eligible and avail of the same day delivery service for anti-viral treatment if they test positive for Covid 19.
“We have tools available to bend the curve and we’re working to get those tools to New Yorkers,” Health Department spokesperson Patrick Gallahue told Bloomberg.
Several hospitalisations have been of people who were admitted for other reasons in the first place.
"Now is the time to double down on protecting ourselves and each other by making choices that can keep our friends, neighbours, relatives and coworkers from getting sick," NYC Health Commissioner Dr Ashwin Vasan told NBC New York.