NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — New York set one other report for single-day constructive COVID instances Saturday.
Statewide, 21,908 folks examined constructive, beating out the day gone by’s complete of 21,027 positives. That’s the best variety of reported COVID instances because the pandemic started, and that pushed the day by day positivity price to just about 8%.
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The seven-day common positivity share price elevated to simply over 6%.
Hospitalizations are additionally rising to simply over 3,800, however that’s nowhere near what we noticed to start with of the pandemic.
In the meantime, in New York Metropolis, greater than 5,000 new COVID instances have been reported, and well being officers say simply over 200 folks have been admitted to space hospitals.
COVID VACCINE
Vaccinations proceed, nonetheless. Metropolis officers say greater than 12 million folks have been vaccinated.
Well being officers say vaccines are the important thing to preventing this surge.
Along with vaccines and boosters, you may also get free testing at state-run websites in Johnson Metropolis and Queensbury.
Study extra concerning the websites and about how we’re partnering with communities to battle the winter surge:https://t.co/v5oRpFJR3M
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 17, 2021
With that in thoughts, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced 40 new COVID vaccine pop-up websites throughout the state. Many opened Saturday, together with some in New York Metropolis.
At Cornerstone Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, anybody may get their preliminary doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or the Pfizer booster.
It’s a part of the state’s plan to battle the winter surge in COVID instances and the fast-spreading Omicron variant. It’s additionally a part of a multi-week effort to boost vaccination numbers in sure communities.
“Additionally to have trusted folks from the neighborhood which are right here, in a position to reply questions, and simply entry is de facto essential,” stated Frances Harris, with Select Wholesome Life.
READ MORE: Omicron Detected In 89 Countries, Cases Doubling Fast, Says World Health Organization
The occasion additionally had COVID testing and a grocery giveaway.
Omicron fears and rising numbers are sparking longer traces at testing websites across the metropolis. Wait instances could be as quick as half-hour and so long as two hours in some locations.
“That’s why everyone seems to be getting examined, as a result of the numbers are going up at an alarming price and it’s scary,” stated Raymond Perez, deacon of the First Spanish United Methodist Church.
A cell testing web site outdoors the church is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days every week. Perez says there have been longer traces over the previous couple of days.
“We’re attempting to guarantee that we have been served this time as a result of we perceive that there’s a want for testing proper now. And although individuals are vaccinated there’s a should be examined,” he informed CBS2’s Thalia Perez.
FIND TESTING SITES: Click here for New York City’s testing site locator, together with cell websites and at-home appointments
AVOID THE LINES: Click here for NYC Health+Hospitals testing wait times
With folks planning to journey or see household over the vacations, getting examined is a should.
“I used to be uncovered by a number of folks over the previous couple of days, so I preserve getting examined, simply in case,” stated Emily Kubashky.
Some testing areas reported that they ran out of provides. Quite a few pharmacies additionally stated they ran out of fast at-home take a look at kits.
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CBS2’s Thalia Perez contributed to this report.
