New York’s Covid-19 infections may have reached a peak, about a month after the city’s first case of the omicron variant was identified.
The seven-day average of people visiting New York emergency departments with Covid-like illness has dipped significantly in all five boroughs since the end of December, according to data from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Bronx saw the biggest drop, with the 7-day average retreating 35% in the week through Friday.
Citywide, the rate of positive tests also appears to be declining, with the 7-day average down to 31% on Thursday, from a peak of 34% on Jan. 2.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday said it was too early to call a Covid peak but the data over the last few days made her “hopeful” that “hospitalizations should start seeing the beginnings of a plateau.” State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett told New Yorkers to expect a difficult January and that “things should be much better by February.”
