The number of people hospitalized in the city has also increased, from 725 people hospitalized for the virus at the beginning of June to 877 people today, according to state data.
The rapidly spreading Omicron subtypes known as BA.4 and BA.5 account for about 46 percent of virus cases in the city as of June 18, and these numbers are growing, according to city data.
BA.4 and BA.5 can eliminate some antibodies produced after vaccination and coronavirus infections, including infections caused by some previous versions of Omicron. But There is not much evidence yet that they cause more severe disease.
The city’s health commissioner, Dr Ashwin Vasan, defended his decision to remove the warning system on Thursday and said the city was “re-evaluating” its approach, though he did not provide details on what the city could do instead.
“While we continue to see a lot of contagion here in New York, we are also at another stage of the pandemic that requires new analytical tools to match these,” said Dr. our assessment and communication of risk to reality,” Dr. Vasan said in a news release. conference in Manhattan to announce new mobile test units will deliver antiviral treatments.
Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the mayor, said in a statement Friday that the city has always intended to periodically reevaluate the warning system as conditions change, and that Dr. to the change at the press conference.
“What we’ve seen recently is bouncing between warning levels, which doesn’t provide clear or helpful information to New Yorkers,” Mr. Levy said. “All Covid-19 indicators continue to be updated on the Ministry of Health website and we will continue to clearly communicate our recommendations.”
Nationwide, BA.4 and BA.5 have the same become dominant among new casesaccording to new estimates released this week from the CDC BA.4 accounts for 15.7% of new cases and BA.5 is 36.6%, numbers that experts say are likely to increase in the weeks next. Federal regulators have recently recommended that coronavirus vaccine makers update their boosters to target BA.4 and BA.5, despite uncertainty about what form of the virus could circulate later this year.
New York City’s “Warning Levels” website on Friday said the city is facing high levels of transmission and that residents should continue to wear masks in public places indoors and around crowds. outdoor and check before and after traveling or gathering.
Under the color-coded alert system introduced by Mr. Adams in March, certain health policy measures were recommended at each level of risk. At a high level of risk, the mayor is encouraged to require masks in all indoor public settings and bring back the mandate to vaccinate restaurants and bars that was carried out under the mayor. Finally, Bill de Blasio.
When the city high risk in MayMr. Adams chose not to reintroduce the mask and vaccine missions. Mr. Adams, a Democrat who took office in January, has focused on reopening the city and persuading workers to return to Manhattan, and he argues that there is only a significant increase in the number of workers. New hospitalizations can spur more aggressive action.
Dr. Jay Varma, an epidemiologist and former senior medical adviser to Mr. de Blasio, said on Friday that he believes a wave of BA.5 manipulation is starting in the city and officials. Healthcare should provide clearer guidance to New Yorkers on how to change their behavior during regular press conferences.
“I worry that the removal of the warning system is a sign that the city wants to wait until there is a significant increase in the number of severe cases and deaths before any further action will be taken. considered,” said Dr. Varma.
Mr. Adams attended a press conference this week about mobile trial sites offering Paxlovid, and he visited a vaccination site for children under 5 the week before they started getting the shots. But the mayor has not held regular press conferences to update New Yorkers on the virus as Mr. de Blasio did.
