New York City reported its highest daily positivity rate since June on Tuesday, the same day elementary schools started welcoming students back in person and a day before restaurants began indoor dining.
City officials started ringing alarm bells about the increases last week. On Sept. 19, six neighborhoods accounted for 20% of all COVID-19 cases citywide. The areas in question included neighborhoods with large Orthodox Jewish populations, and officials warned that gatherings during the Jewish high holidays and a general lack of mask compliance could spread the virus.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also announced new enforcement of mask-wearing. “Anyone who refuses to wear a face-covering will be told if they don’t put one on they will be fined,” he said during Tuesday's press briefing. — Mayor Bill de Blasio September 29, 2020 During the pandemic, New York City was one of the earliest- and hardest-hit cities in the country. But as of Tuesday, the citywide positivity rate for the virus was 1.38% on a seven-day rolling average, as the city continues its phased reopening. For the first time since March, about 300,000 public elementary school students returned to classrooms Tuesday. Middle and high school students report by the end of the week.
Story continuesBeyond New York City, other areas of New York state are also seeing increases in COVID-19 cases. Statewide, there are 20 ZIP codes with an average positive test rate of 5%, which is five times the statewide average, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday. The clusters in Brooklyn, as well as Rockland and Orange counties, show overlap with large Orthodox Jewish communities, he said.
Use the COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Hub to track new cases in every state and county against key indicators about the economy, employment, spending, travel, and more:
As a NY resident, I just hope the virus doesn't hit us like it did a few months ago...
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