NYC COVID-19 Update: Areas in Brooklyn and Queens Showing Spike

The following COVID-19 update, for the Brooklyn and Queens areas in New York City, is from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

We are writing to provide an update on several COVID-19 signals in Brooklyn and Queens that are cause for significant concern. Moreover, this situation will require further action if noncompliance with safety precautions is observed.

For weeks we have been closely monitoring signals in neighborhoods that have seen growth in COVID-19.

These are in Williamsburg (2%), Kew Gardens (2.24%), Edgemere-Far Rockaway (3.69%) and a section of Brooklyn including Midwood, Borough Park and Bensonhurst (4.71%).

It is now clear that these signals in the south of Brooklyn have coalesced into one cluster we are calling the Ocean Parkway Cluster.

The four areas saw a large increase in cases from the week ending 8/1/2020 to the week ending 9/19/2020.

• 3 of 4 areas have tripled in that time (Ocean Parkway, Far Rockaway, and Williamsburg)
• 1 of 4 has doubled in that time period (Kew Gardens)

This increase has led to the four areas above making up 20% of all cases citywide as of 9/19/20.

At this point in time, these increases could potentially evolve into more widespread community transmission and spread to other neighborhoods unless action is taken. We are monitoring the situation for the need to take further steps in these areas.

We will have more to say in the days ahead, however, our guidance to community members is as urgent as it has ever been:

• Large indoor gatherings must be avoided.
• New York State law requires face coverings be worn by everyone older than two-years-old when in public if unable to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others. Hands must be washed frequently and anyone who is ill must stay home. Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 must safely separate from others. Anyone who can’t safely separate at home is able to receive accommodations or additional resources from the city.
• All New Yorkers should get tested for COVID-19. To find a testing site go to nyc.gov/covidtest or call 311. In addition, please answer the phone if you get a call from NYC Test+Trace, which will be from a phone number beginning with 212-540-XXXX or 212-242-XXXX.
• New Yorkers should not use antibody test results to determine whether to return to school or work. Past infection does not guarantee protection from being infected again. In addition, a test should not be used to stop following quarantine precautions. If someone is identified to be a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, they must stay home for the required 14 days, regardless of a negative diagnostic or antibody test.

We urge all New Yorkers to do their part to help us keep COVID-19 at bay.