NYC enters ‘medium risk alert level’ as COVID cases climb – New York Daily News

New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan declared Monday morning that the city has elevated its COVID threat level to a “medium risk alert’ due to a recent increase in cases.

It’s the first time Mayor Adams’ administration has upgraded the COVID threat level since he took control of City Hall on Jan. 1.

Prior to Monday, the city was on “low risk alert.”

“Cases have now surpassed a rate of 200 per 100,000 people in the five boroughs. As a practical matter, what this means for New Yorkers is that they must exercise even greater caution than they have the last few weeks,” Vasan said in a written statement issued Monday. “If you are at a higher risk for severe disease due to age, underlying health conditions or because you are unvaccinated, consider additional precautions such as avoiding crowded indoor gatherings.”

In early April, Vasan said that he expected to raise the city’s COVID threat level in the coming days, but the city stopped short of that move, with Adams noting at the time that he and city health officials were weighing the data.

Last month, the mayor was sidelined — and had to quarantine — after testing positive for COVID. And on Saturday night, he attended the Inner Circle gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom along with hundreds of politicos, lobbyists and journalists, most of whom did not wear masks.

On Monday, Vasan recommended that New Yorkers do pretty much the opposite.

“We continue to strongly recommend all New Yorkers wear a mask in public indoor settings,” he said in his written statement Monday morning. “The coming weeks will be critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and getting back to a Low risk level so we can more safely enjoy our spring. And remember, the steps you take to protect yourself also protect others, especially those most vulnerable.”

This is a breaking news story.