New York asks to go back to wearing a mask in public due to a strong rebound in coronavirus cases

The authorities of New York They asked the population on Monday to wear a mask again in all public indoor places and announced that they will distribute millions of home tests to try to contain the rebound in cases of COVID-19. coronavirus covid-19 who is registering in the city.

The recent rise in infections has put the Big Apple on the verge of entering a high alert level, which is declared when certain levels of hospitalization are exceeded and a certain proportion of beds occupied by patients with COVID-19 is reached. covid-19.

This month, cases in the city have risen sharply again, reaching just over 300 per 100,000 inhabitants in seven daysaccording to the latest official data, which also shows a clear increase in hospital admissionsa situation that is even worse in other areas of the state of New York.

In response, local authorities today recommended the use of masks in all public indoor placeswhich includes stores, offices, building entrances, elevators and, in general, any other place where space is shared with strangers.

The subway and the rest of the New York public transport system, meanwhile, continue to require all passengers to wear a mask.

In addition, the City Council New York announced that it will distribute another 16.5 million home tests and one million quality masks.

“Home tests and masks offer New Yorkers reliable and convenient ways to protect themselves and others and allow them to enjoy our city,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.

New York was at the beginning of the pandemic one of the world epicenters of covid-19 and the city already accumulates more than 40,000 deaths by the disease, according to official data.