José Bayona, director of the Office of Ethnic Media together with the Commissioner of Health, Ashwin Vasan and Dr. Ted Long, director of the NYC Test and Trace Corp
Photo: Edwin Martínez / Impremedia
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Los COVID-19 infections continue to rise in New York City, and while the overall positivity rate is currently at 14.2%, with an average of 4,031 new infections every 24 hours, among the Latino community the coronavirus is attacking harder, with contagion rates higher than 20% in neighborhoods like East Elmhurst and Corona.
This was confirmed this Monday by New York City authorities at a press conference for ethnic media, where the Big Apple Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasanmade an urgent call to New Yorkers, but especially Latinos, not to let their guard down against the COVID-19.
The head of the municipal health portfolio asked Latinos living in the five boroughs to use the tools available to stay safe, and if they reach get infected with COVID-19avoid getting seriously ill and even being at risk of death.
“COVID is not gone. COVID is still here. That is why it is important that at this time all the tools we have available are used so as not to get seriously ill. In New York City, regardless of immigration status, everyone can access the resources we have to prevent COVID, severe symptoms, and hospitalizations,” he said. El Dr. Vasanexplaining that in addition to free tests, which can be ordered in hundreds of places, such as libraries, there are also treatments available for those who test positive.
“The recommendation for everyone is that we wear masks indoors, that they get the vaccine and the booster doses, which are now more important, especially in the midst of an environment like this where cases are increasing,” said the Commissioner of the Adams Administration. “For the Latino community it is more important than for other communities to follow these warnings to put on the masks and get the vaccines and booster doses, as well as access to tests and rapid treatment. So if you need those resources, use them by calling to line 311 or (212) 268-4319 they are for you because you are the most affected communities.”
Vasan explained that so far the City has already distributed more than 100,000 COVID treatments to New Yorkers who have tested positive, and warned that they are prepared to ship medications even on the same day to those who test positive.
“Right now we have tests that are much more accessible and treatments that are very accessible and effective to prevent hospitalizations and severe symptoms. That is why if you have a positive result with any type of test, what you should do is call your primary doctor and if you do not have one, call 311 or 212 268-4319 to speak with someone who will connect you with a doctor. and assess whether you qualify for the treatment, which should be used immediately. We have a program that takes you to your home or pharmacyVasan emphasized.
The Health Commissioner insisted that the City is making sure everyone who needs it has access to treatment and testing, but asked that everyone do their part to prevent the spread of the virus.
Vasan mentioned that Of every 18 treatments that are prescribed, only 1 goes to the hospital for more specialized treatment, which demonstrates the high level of effectiveness of the treatment and recalled that even vaccinated people can get it, so the medicine will also help them not to have serious symptoms.
On whether the Adams Administration is reconsidering returning to mandates such as the use of masks in the Big Apple, El Dr. Vasan said that for now it is not within the action plans against COVID to impose the use of masks, warning that the current risk landscape is not the same as in March 2020 when the pandemic began, and there are more options to keep New Yorkers safe .
Likewise, el Dr. Ted Long, director de NYC Test and Trace Corpinsisted that it is vital for New Yorkers to take COVID tests, revealing that in addition to the option of requesting home tests (more than 37 million have already been delivered), there are 375 sites in the Big Apple where you can go to take an exam from COVID.
“We want to ensure that everyone has access when they need it and that if someone tests positive, take the necessary steps to be safe and keep those around you safe,” the official concluded.
Where to ask for help if you test positive?
- 311 is the line to find out about available tests and ask for help
- (212) 2684319 is the line for New Yorkers from all five boroughs to call for treatment
- (888) 873 2869 is the help line outside of New York City
Current situation of COVID-19 in NYC
- 14.2% is the average positivity citywide
- 20% and more is the average number of infections among Latino communities in neighborhoods like Corona and East Elmhurst
- 4,031 new daily infections
- 113 daily hospitalizations
- 6 New Yorkers died in the last 24 hours from COVID
- 2,287,940 New Yorkers have been infected since the pandemic began
- 40,992 have been deaths from COVID since the start of the pandemic
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