New York City has moved from a “medium” COVID-19 alert level to a “high” alert level amid a rise in cases, the five boroughs’ health commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, announced Tuesday morning.
While officials have not imposed any new mandates, the city is urging New Yorkers to wear high-quality masks in public indoor settings and “crowded outdoor spaces,” the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a press release.
New Yorkers should “consider avoiding higher-risk activities (such as crowded indoor gatherings) and any gatherings should be limited to small numbers,” the release said.
The city is also continuing to advise New Yorkers to get vaccinated and boosted, the release added.
“New York City has transitioned to a high COVID alert level, meaning now is the time to double down on protecting ourselves and each other by making choices that can keep our friends, neighbors, relatives and coworkers from getting sick,” Vasan said in a statement. “As a city, we have the tools to blunt the impact of this wave, including distributing tests, masks and promoting treatments.”
“Getting back to Low Risk depends on everyone doing their part and if we follow guidance, our forecasts anticipate this wave’s peak will not last long,” he added. “What we do now can make all the difference.”