On Monday, long lines for COVID-19 tests continued across New York City as the omicron coronavirus variant spreads and Christmas days away.
In Times Square, a line of 200 people waited to get tested on Monday morning. Kaitlyn Blades, 23, a biomedical lab worker from Newcastle, United Kingdom waited in line. She was anxious because she had to show a negative COVID-19 test to board her flight home in a few hours, but the line was barely moving.
Miriam Van Harn, 23, a New York resident and graduate student, said her roommate had tested positive, so she was getting tested. She will quarantine instead of spending Christmas with her family if she tests positive.
Just ahead of her in line was Johnny De Triquet, 38, a resident of New York City who works in luxury fitness management. He was hoping to test negative he could travel to see family for the holidays.
New York's mayor has said the new variant is already in "full force." The spike is scuttling Broadway shows and spurring long lines at testing centers, but so far new hospitalizations and deaths are averaging well below their spring 2020 peak.
Much about the omicron coronavirus variant remains unknown, including whether it causes more or less severe illness. Scientists say omicron spreads even easier than other coronavirus strains, including delta, and it is expected to become dominant in the U.S. by early next year. Early studies suggest the vaccinated will need a booster shot for the best chance at preventing an omicron infection but even without the extra dose, vaccination still should offer strong protection against severe illness and death.
According to city statistics, about 90% of adults and about 80% of all residents have received at least one vaccine dose.
For the third straight day on Sunday, New York state had a record number of new COVID-19 cases — nearly 22,500. About 12,400 of those new cases were in New York City. The state has been averaging about 16,300 new cases per day in the seven-day period that ended Saturday. That's 60% higher than the previous week.
The mayor and health officials announced Thursday the city would give out 1 million free N95 masks and 500,000 free at-home tests, to be distributed through community organizations. On Sunday they said eight new fixed-site testing sites and 17 new mobile units would be opened by this week, bringing the city's totals to 36 fixed sites and 93 mobile units, with more anticipated.
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