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Coronavirus Updates: NYC Positive Testing Rate Rises To 2.31% As Daily Cases Continue To Climb

By

Elizabeth Kim

Published Nov 10, 2020

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Children play in Central Park on Sunday as a man blows giant bubbles.

 

Lori Hillsberg / Flickr

By

Elizabeth Kim

Published Nov 10, 2020

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This is our daily update of breaking COVID-19 news for Tuesday, November 10th, 2020. Previous daily updates can be found here, and up-to-date statistics are here.

New York City is in Phase 4 of reopening now, which includes zoos, botanical gardens, museums, and gyms. Certain parts of Brooklyn and Queens are under a zoned shutdown. Get answers to questions you may have with our "Ask An Epidemiologist" series, or learn more about NYC COVID-19 testing options with our explainer. Here are some local and state hotlines for more information: NYC: 311; NY State Hotline: 888-364-3065; NJ State Hotline: 800-222-1222.

Here's the latest:

New York City's test positivity rate for COVID-19 now stands at 2.31%, marking the sixth day in a row that the number has been above 2%, according to newly released data on Tuesday from the Department of Health.

For weeks, the city's positivity rate has been on a steady upward march, with new daily cases now averaging at around 800. And in a sign that the virus is spreading more broadly across the city, a total of 86 ZIP codes out of 177 have positivities above 2%, while 25 ZIP codes are above 3%. The data reflects a seven-day average between October 31st to November 6th.

"We’re not approaching our second wave. We are in our second wave," Mark Levine, a Manhattan City Councilmember who chairs the health committee told Gothamist on Tuesday. "This is citywide."

Levine noted that the increase in positive testing rates has come while the weather has been relatively mild.

"Which means the greatest risk is still ahead," he said.

According to experts, colder weather will make the virus more transmissible and also increase the likelihood of people having social gatherings indoors.

New York City is now publishing daily positive test rates for all ZIP codes.

Despite the discouraging trends, Mayor Bill de Blasio has stopped short of calling the surge a second wave. On Monday, he told New Yorkers they had "one last chance" to wear masks and refrain from gatherings in order to avert a second wave of the virus. Governor Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, has said the state would continue its micro-cluster strategy of applying restrictions and expanded testing only in areas with outbreaks.

Other states in the region are also grappling with a surge. On Monday, New Jersey announced a plan requiring indoor bars and restaurants to close by 10 p.m.

Connecticut last week said it would restrict indoor and outdoor gatherings to 10 people, which had previously been capped at 25 and 150 respectively.

The state also urged residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Within the tristate region, hospitalizations are rising the fastest in Connecticut, nearly quadrupling in the past month.

Tagged

covid-19 updates

coronavirus

Elizabeth Kim

Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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