Rising COVID cases prompt NYC officials to increase risk level
A man wears a mask as he rides a bike Thursday in Manhattan. A rise in COVID-19 cases led New York City officials Monday to raise the risk level for coming down with the virus to medium. Credit: AFP via Getty Images/ANGELA WEISS
An increase in COVID-19 cases led New York City health officials Monday to raise the risk level to medium and urge New Yorkers to exercise "even greater caution" than in recent weeks.
City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced the new risk level because cases have surpassed a rate of 200 per 100,000 people in the five boroughs.
Nassau County's risk level is also medium, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID Data Tracker, last updated April 28. Nassau's weekly rate of new cases, which is used to determine risk level, is 245 per 100,000 people. Suffolk County's risk level is low, with 194 cases per 100,000 people, according to the latest data.
Alert levels in New York City are broken into four categories — low, medium, high and very high.
City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced the new risk level because cases have surpassed a rate of 200 per 100,000 people in the five boroughs. Credit: zz/John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx/zz/John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx
In raising the COVID-19 risk level to medium, officials reminded New Yorkers to remain cautious. Those unvaccinated or at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness, or working, living or interacting with high-risk individuals, should take additional precautions. Officials also suggest wearing a mask in public indoor settings where the vaccine status of others is unknown, and stay home if sick.
"As a practical matter, what this means for New Yorkers is that they must exercise even greater caution than they have the last few weeks," Vasan said in a statement Monday, adding: "If you are at a higher risk for severe disease due to age, underlying health conditions or because you are unvaccinated, consider additional precautions such as avoiding crowded indoor gatherings."
He added, "We continue to strongly recommend all New Yorkers wear a mask in public indoor settings."
Officials recommend getting tested for COVID-19 before and after any gatherings where the status of attendees is not fully known. If positive for the virus, contact a physician or call 212-COVID19 to get evaluated for treatment procedures and protocols, officials said. Those eligible for a booster should get one as soon as possible.
"The coming weeks will be critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and getting back to a Low risk level so we can more safely enjoy our spring," Vasan said. "The steps you take to protect yourself also protect others, especially those most vulnerable. As a city, we have the tools we need to beat back this virus."
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
