Mayor Adams and Health Commissioner Dr. Vasan Announce New York City has Moved Down Into Medium Risk

June 21, 2022

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today released the following joint statement after New York City moved down from ‘high’ to ‘medium’ on the COVID-19 alert system: 

“Day after day, New Yorkers are stepping up and doing their part, and because of our collective efforts we are winning the fight against COVID-19. We’re grateful to New Yorkers for their continued attention and vigilance as we’ve made our way through to the other side of this wave, and, as a result, we’re pleased to announce that New York has fallen into the ‘medium’ risk category. This surge has taught us a lot about how the virus is currently behaving, and how to prepare for the coming weeks and months. 

“Testing, vaccinations, treatments, and masking have been vital tools to keep people alive and out of the hospital. But we know there remains no greater defense against this virus than vaccination, which is why we’re pleased that young children are now eligible for the protection they deserve, and can’t wait to begin under-5 vaccination tomorrow.” 

DOHMH has provided more than 55,000 courses of the antiviral Paxlovid through home delivery already this year, in addition to the thousands of courses issued through providers, helping reduce the severity of those infected with COVID-19.  

Additionally, NYC Test + Trace has distributed more than 16.5 million at-home tests to New Yorkers over the last month and over 33 million tests since January to help keep New Yorkers home when infected. 

COVID-19 cases per 100,000 are now at 240.4 and hospitalizations per 100,000 have fallen to 9.8. This puts New York City into medium risk, according to the current risk alert system. 

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