New Yorkers were desperate to find COVID test results as Omicron infections surged throughout the Empire State.
Amazing photos reveal how the police were able to maintain order at Flatbush Avenue’s city-sponsored truck on Friday while officials gave out 2000 free Binax COVID home test kits.
An assortment of locals, frustrated by the current outbreak, were seen holding out their hands in hopes that they would be able to receive one of these home testing children. Unfortunately, the US was slow in approving the request and the kids are currently in short supply.
Many of them gathered around the bus to test the kits. A woman was visibly unhappy that she didn’t get a kit.
There were four other busses that gave out the 2,000 test in each of the four boroughs. Snaps show a quieter line waiting at Manhattan’s Harlem location.
The latest COVID surge has scared many Americans and New Yorkers alike. On Friday, the state broke its daily diagnosis record for the third consecutive day.
There have been reports of lines of six hours at the testing clinics. Many people who were tested had to wait for days beyond the 24 to 48 hour time limit. This ruined many Christmas plans.
A truck was handing out FREE COVID home test kits in Brooklyn on Friday. It attracted many locals who were eager to be given one.
Many locals were eager to get one of the 2,000 free tests at the Brooklyn site.
Flatbush Avenue was the scene of an angry woman during Friday’s free handout. On Friday, five buses were stationed in the city. Each distributed 2,000 Binax test for free.
It was evident that the crowd wanted to be tested. There were long waiting lines at the testing centers throughout the city and slower processing times.
As New Yorkers surround the bus in a record number of COVID cases, a city worker is seen getting ready to give the tests.
At the Harlem test giveaway, things were markedly more calm
There was a large line, and each bus stopped at five boroughs to give out 2000 free test.
For protection during the most recent NYC COVID surge, this woman used a N95 and face shield to keep herself safe.
New York shattered its COVID cases record for the third day running, recording an enormous 44,431 new cases on Christmas Eve.
The numbers were shared by State Governor Kathy Hochul at a Friday morning press conference. She blamed the huge spike on the Omicron variant, estimated to be behind 92% of new infections in the Empire State, and said: ‘This is a very, very contagious variant.’
After Hochul’s announcement of his resignation, Bill de Blasio published separate numbers for New York City. This made it grim reading.
On Friday there were 12900 new diagnoses throughout NYC’s five boroughs, an increase of 12% over Wednesday and 17% above Wednesday.
De Blasio, who will be replaced as mayor by Eric Adams on January 31, also revealed that hospitalizations across the city had risen to 259, up 31 per cent from Thursday.
Hospitalizations are increasing by 20% each week, but the mayor says the actual numbers can be managed.
Hochul struck an optimistic note when she said, “This isn’t Delta.” Omicron has shown that its effects are not quite as serious. This is not the same situation we had in March 2020 or even last winter’s surge. We’ve had more testing. We’ve had more opportunities.’
Hochul revealed also that COVID hospitalizations increased by five percent in one day and currently sit at 4,744. The governor pointed out that this figure is much lower than the number of people who contracted the virus in December 2020, when 7,000 were admitted to hospital.
Hochul said Friday that New York essential workers need to be isolated only for 5 days after they are positive for COVID. Hochul claims she does this in an effort to combat staff shortages that are being blamed for current isolation rules of 10 days.
It applies to workers fully vaccinated who are not symptomatic but have had no fever for 72 hours or more.
Kathy Hochul (NY Governor) is shown announcing on Christmas Eve the new COVID record.
Hochul announced also her plan to maintain public schools by home-testing children
New booster-focused guidelines were presented by her to help elderly residents in care homes.
Hochul revealed, in order to protect inmates’ safety, that every visitor to jails or prisons must also have received a positive COVID testing.
People are expected to line up at a COVID mobile clinic in Harlem for Christmas Eve amid records-breaking coronavirus diagnosis across the Empire State
Hochul announced her decision 18 hours following Thursday’s evening update. The Empire State had 38,835 COVID diagnosis records, an unprecedented number, up from 10,000 in December 22, when 28924 cases were recorded.
New York has been reestablished as America’s COVID epicenter. However, hospitalizations are still far below what they were during the peak of the Spring 2020 wave.
Around 26 percent of New York City’s COVID-positive residents were hospitalized back then. Only 2.1 of every 100,000 individuals now require medical treatment.
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