NYC Covid-Positive Rate Below 5% as Daily Shots Set Record

(Bloomberg) -- New York City’s positive test rate for Covid-19 dipped below 5% for the first time in several months as daily vaccinations reached a record, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The seven-day average for positive tests fell to 4.91% as of Friday, below a key public-health safety threshold established a year ago. On the same day, the city set a record for vaccinations with 106,528, bringing the total to 5,746,378 doses to date.

Last time the positive test rate was below 5% was on Nov. 29, when it was also at 4.91%, according to the city’s health department. The latest data may change if new information is added.

“Grassroots sites are working,” the mayor said at a news conference on Monday.

The city reported that daily hospital admissions for the virus totaled 163, below the 200-person standard established to indicate how much stress is placed on hospital resources during the pandemic. The seven-day average for new cases stood at 2,384 and still remained above the 500-case standard.

De Blasio also announced the city will create walk-in vaccination sites that won’t require appointments for anyone 50 years and older.

“This is something we are experimenting with but we hope to expand going forward,” he said.

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