The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has begun its rampage across New York City, with more cases of the coronavirus recorded Friday in the city than in any other day since the start of the pandemic.
Dr. Tom Friedan, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warned in a tweet on Saturday, “Omicron already made up [some] three percent of COVID in the US on December 11. . . New York City, the original COVID epicenter in the US, is again at the forefront with Omicron.
Omicron already made up ~3% of Covid in the US on December 11. The proportion is significantly higher now, doubling every 2-3 days. New York City, the original Covid epicenter in the US, is again at the forefront with Omicron. https://t.co/Lrx89c60c3 3/
— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden)
In the city, as of Thursday (Dec. 16), the positivity rate over the latter three days of the week was 4.39 percent; in Long Island it was 8.19 percent. There were 10,286 newly diagnosed cases of the coronavirus reported, including 32 cases of the Omicron variant, in New York City. In Nassau County, there were 1,940 new cases of COVID-19, including six diagnosed with Omicron.
“The data that we monitor so closely is showing an alarming trend,” said Dr. Dave Chokshi, NYC Health Commissioner in a statement Friday to reporters. “Omicron is here in New York City and it is spreading quickly.”
We’re taking six approaches to aggressively fight . issued a new advisory calling on New Yorkers to take steps to prevent spread: get vaccinated and boosted now, mask up in all public and indoor settings, get tested and stay home if sick. pic.twitter.com/aBFl6ThFUD
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor)
The seven-day average percentage of positive test results reported between Wednesday and Friday was 4.25 percent in Brooklyn, 4.49 percent in Manhattan, 4.53 percent in Queens, 5.26 percent on Staten Island and 3.83 percent in the Bronx, according to the office of Governor Kathy Hochul.
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-updates-new-yorkers-states-progress-combating-covid-19-111
Mobile COVID-19 testing sites were set up at locations across the city to offer free coronavirus tests to New Yorkers.
. has mobile testing units set up at locations throughout the city today. The walk-in testing sites are no cost to you. Find a location: https://t.co/9WkBHFCKGJ pic.twitter.com/h6YNIjG4qr
— City of New York (@nycgov)
New York State reported 21,027 people testing positive for the virus on Thursday alone, a one-day record, out of 263,536 tested, with a positivity rate that leaped to 7.98 percent. The seven-day average positivity percentage for the state was 5.73 percent on Friday, according to data collected by the state health department’s Heath Electronic Response Data System.
“We have the tools to fight this virus,” Hochul contended. “Wear a mask. Get vaccinated. . . get your booster as soon as you can.”
We can’t — and we won't — go back to where we were 21 months ago.
We have the tools to fight this virus. Wear a mask. Get vaccinated. If you’re fully vaccinated, get your booster as soon as you can. https://t.co/CVLsdGPUby pic.twitter.com/3sFkG7Gsbv
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul)
In the city, the number of cases doubled within a three-day period before setting a pandemic record Friday. At least 70 percent of city residents have completed their series of vaccine shots.
Just a week before the biggest American shopping holiday of the year, the city has begun once again to shut down its most popular venues in response to the pandemic.
Even more startling, Radio City Music Hall canceled the remaining Christmas shows for the iconic Rockettes’ dance troupe – and the rest of their season – due to the pandemic.
“We had hoped we could make it through the season and are honored to have hosted hundreds of thousands of fans at more than 100 shows over the last seven weeks,” the producers said in a statement tweeted Friday. “We have loved bringing back this cherished tradition that helps usher in the holiday season in New York City and look forward to welcoming fans back to Radio City Music Hall in 2022.” Tickets are being refunded at point of purchase.
The world-renown Rockettes usually perform four shows daily during December. The show is an annual holiday tradition in New York City, and on Friday the audience – including many tourists who traveled from across the country to attend — was already seated when informed the show was canceled.
In addition, live shows on Broadway – just recently reinstated – temporarily shut down their performances due to breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among the cast members, among them “Hamilton,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway!” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”