What You Should Know About Masks – NBC New York (47)

NEW YORK – Did you realize that more people may be wearing masks again?

Monday marks the first day of the week since New York City health officials “strongly” advised people to wear face coverings in public places indoors and outdoors when seeing large numbers of people, regardless of state of vaccination. This is due to threats of becoming infected with COVID-19, RSV and influenza viruses (known as triplademia).

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan acknowledged Friday that all three respiratory viruses are “spreading at high levels” right now and urged precautions.

The seven-day moving averages for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the five boroughs for the first week of December are at their highest levels since August and February, respectively. Deaths have remained essentially stable, even if the positivity rate is over 13% and the daily average of new cases has exceeded 3,550. The latter continues to rise, the data shows.

All five boroughs of New York City (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens), currently meet the CDC’s threshold for high community prevalence of COVID, and the CDC exposure guidelines reflect the latest recommendation from the Department of Health. Additional precautions may be needed for people at increased risk of serious respiratory disease.

The city’s flu reports have some data limitations, but as of the most recent, which covered the week ending Dec. 3, flu activity was described as “elevated,” with positive outcomes increasing. tests and emergency room visits for flu-like illnesses. 13% of the weekly total. The positive test rate appears significantly higher than in previous seasons.

New Jersey and Connecticut face “very high” flu outbreaks, according to the CDC, which says virus-related hospitalizations are at the highest level in a decade. The symptoms overlap with COVID-19 and RSV, so it can be difficult to determine the true rate of spread of any of the three without a diagnostic test, and they’re also not 100% accurate.

RSV reporting in New York City has similar limitations to flu data, but the graphs reflect similar trends for the latest available week. Like the flu, this RSV season is looking more intense than usual. RSV accounted for the third-highest number of respiratory virus-related cases reported to the city’s Department of Health during the week ending Dec. 3. COVID-19 in fifth place.

While New Yorkers may hear more frequent reminders about mask wearing and other viral precautions, no new mandates are expected. Instead, public health officials and others are asking people to use the same techniques they’ve been using for the past three years to try to help protect themselves and others.

That means getting your most recent COVID-19 booster dose if you haven’t already, and limiting your time away from home if you’re vulnerable or not feeling well. High quality masks such as KN95 or KF94 or N95 respirators are recommended for additional protection.

As Vasan said when announcing the new mask alert, “Although respiratory viruses are spreading at high levels in New York City, there are common-sense ways to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday season.” indoors or in a crowd and stay at home if you don’t feel well.”