NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — COVID instances in New York hit another record for a third day in a row Sunday, seemingly fueled by the Omicron variant.
Now, two new vaccine mandates go into impact within the metropolis, affecting tens of thousands of people working with kids.
READ MORE: Moderna: Booster Significantly Raises Omicron Fighting Antibodies
Manhattan has the best COVID price among the many 5 boroughs, however officers say it’s partly due to elevated testing.
“I’m completely assured within the potential of our well being system to maintain this new surge,” a confident Mayor Bill de Blasio mentioned Sunday — the identical day the state marked one other one-day report for COVID. The positivity price is now at 8.4%, with nearly 22,500 instances. “We count on these subsequent weeks to see a really, very huge surge within the variety of instances, greater than we’ve seen beforehand. After which we count on after a time period that it’s going to dissipate.”
Monday, two new vaccine mandates take impact for all staff working in a child care program and, just like public college academics, staff of Catholic colleges, yeshivas and different personal colleges should even have not less than their first shot.
FIND TESTING SITES: Click here for New York City’s testing site locator, together with cellular websites and at-home appointments
AVOID THE LINES: Click here for NYC Health+Hospitals testing wait times
COVID VACCINE
Mayor-elect Eric Adams was requested on CNN if he’ll mandate booster photographs for workers when his time period begins.
“I imagine we could get to that time. I can not proceed to emphasise that this can be a transferring goal, and we shouldn’t be so stringent and unwilling to pivot when is important,” he mentioned.
Adams mentioned the choices made within the subsequent two weeks might decide the success of the town for the subsequent two years. To start out, he and the present mayor say they may ramp up testing this week — beginning Tuesday, after they open new testing websites in each borough.
“We’re including 17 cellular items this week, we’re increasing hours, we’ve got our wait time tracker,” mentioned Dr. Ted Lengthy, director of the NYC Take a look at and Hint Corps. “We’re handing out house check kits, and dealing with neighborhood primarily based organizations.”
To cut back hospitalizations, the town can also be investing $10 million right into a media marketing campaign to encourage vaccinations and booster photographs.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
This comes as at-home speedy COVID checks proceed to promote out at drug shops, together with lengthy traces at testing tents and brick and mortar areas.
“I had a pal who waited for 2 hours as we speak on the East Aspect, and earlier than he obtained to his place, they stopped the road,” Manhattan resident Josh Ellis mentioned.
“I needed to e book an appointment for the subsequent day,” mentioned Manhattan resident Siddharth Konde.
The mayor mentioned the New Year’s celebration in Times Square remains to be on, on condition that vaccinations are required and it’s open air, however he’ll make a remaining choice earlier than Christmas.
