New York authorities reported 21,027 new cases of coronavirus on Friday. This is the highest daily total since the days when test availability was not as widespread as it is today since the early days of the pandemic.
Data reflecting Thursday’s test results showed a dramatic change in the presence of the virus in New York. Over the weeks, the number of cases has been steadily increasing. This is mainly due to the winter surge caused by the delta mutation. However, epidemiologists believe that the recent surge is due to the rapidly prevailing variant of Omicron.
Dr. Wafaa El Saddle, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, said that so far, Omicron variants appear to infect more people than in other parts of New York.
“In that sense, it reminds me of March 2020,” she said. “We are riding the first wave of Omicron in this country. Like last time in New York, we are essentially a test site for what this variant does.”
According to the New York Times trackers, viral cases in the state have increased by 56% in the last 14 days, and hospitalizations have increased by 25% over the same period, well below the peak of the last two years. As of Thursday, the state’s positive rate had risen to almost 8 percent.
Governor Kathy Hokul said on Friday that the surge in the incident “reminds us that the pandemic is not over yet and we must take special care to keep ourselves and each other safe.” Stated.
Earlier this week, Houtul said the entire state, as the winter and vacation seasons are approaching, and many people are planning to travel and spend more time indoors to curb the spread of the virus. Mandated the obligation to wear a mask for everyone indoors Space that does not require evidence of complete vaccination against the virus for invasion.
Among the notable signs of the impact of the surge on New York City’s life, the producer of Radio City Music Hall’s permanent Christmas show, starring Rockets, said at the end of Friday, “The Increasing Challenges from the Pandemic. I said that I would completely overcome this season and finish the execution of this season.
The announcement followed a canceled performance by some Broadway shows and a decision by the University of New York to cancel some activities or conduct a final exam remotely.
As another effort to contain the spread of the virus, Hochul also said state officials would change the definition of complete vaccination to include receiving booster vaccinations.
“I certainly want qualified people to do it, but when it comes to requirements, I just need to make sure I’m adapted to the flexibility I need,” the governor said in an interview. On CNN. She said recently vaccinated people are not yet eligible for booster shots.
In New York City these days, the number of cases has doubled from a week ago.
“This big jump only happens when something big has changed and the only big thing that has changed across the city is Omicron,” said Dr. Denis Nash, a professor of epidemiology at CUNY School of Public Health. increase. However, there are few reliable and up-to-date data showing what percentage of new cases in the city are caused by mutations.
Mayor Bill de Blasio advised New Yorkers to get booster shots quickly.
“People need to be vaccinated now, get that booster now,” he said Thursday. “If you feel sick, take the test now. It’s an urgent situation.”
On Thursday, the mayor will distribute millions of free KN95 masks and 500,000 home tests, enforce mask and vaccine obligations more tightly, and expand test time and capacity in the city. A site that has announced plans to tackle the surge in incidents.
Recently, many New Yorkers are rushing to get a test kit at home, some stores are sold out, and a line of people waiting at some test sites is wrapped around the block. Omicron variants have been torn throughout New York, including those who have been vaccinated.
Gene Goldstein-Preser, 32, who was waiting to be tested at a municipal site in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, said, “Two vaccinated friends (one boosted) were Covid last week. I was infected with. ” Thursday. “Literally, I received an email saying that the party I was planning to go to this weekend was cancelled.”
Goldstein-Plesser said the most difficult part of the surge was “going back to that horrifying math, where you’re willing to take risks, and you risk in your life.” Where are you willing to? “
The daily number of cases announced on Friday may not be the maximum pandemic, as many viral cases were not reported in the early stages when the test infrastructure was not fully equipped. However, it is clear that the number of cases has increased significantly in the state.
Omicron variants appear to be spreading rapidly between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Nowhere is it as clear as Cornell University in Ithaca, where 99% of students on campus are vaccinated against the virus.
Still, the number of students’ bodies has skyrocketed this week. In the seven days that ended Thursday, there were cases of 1,567 students out of more than 26,000 students. The positive rate was over 7%.
Only a small percentage of positive cases are analyzed to determine if they are deltas, omicrons, or other variants. However, according to the Governor’s Office, about 117 Omicron cases have been detected in Tompkins County, including Ithaca, more than any other county.
Cornell University officials moved the campus to “Alert Rebel Red” for the first time in the last three semesters after a surge in incidents, moved the final exam online, canceled their December graduation, and much more. Introduced safety measures. New York University, also facing a surge, canceled “unnecessary” rallies this week.
Matt Stevens Report that contributed.