For the first time since launching the metrics this spring, New York City has surpassed all three infection and hospitalization thresholds meant to monitor the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed the troubling milestone during a press conference on Friday, while previewing the launch of a new command center that will soon help distribute a COVID vaccine to New Yorkers.
Suggesting a new gravity of the crisis, de Blasio acknowledged what many experts have already said.
"This is now clearly a second wave in New York City," the mayor said. "There are some communities that the numbers are even higher — that is in some cases directly related to use of masks or unwillingness to use masks. But overwhelming, we’ve got a citywide problem."
Hospitalizations reached 205 on Friday, exceeding the 200 mark for the first time in months. The 7-day average of cases is 2,559 and the rolling positivity average is 5.35% — well above the existing thresholds.
"This is a sign of how deep this crisis is right now," the mayor said.
De Blasio said he'd spoken to the governor on Friday morning, but did not say whether the latest indicators would bring about any additional public health measures.
On Friday, Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered indoor dining closed in New York City beginning on Monday. Take out and delivery service could continue as could outdoor dining. Cuomo had warned earlier this week that indoor dining would likely be shut down in the city should hospitalizations continue to increase.
Across the state, there are currently more than 5,000 people hospitalized with COVID.
New York City hospitals have less than 20% of their beds available, according to state data.