NYC Now At 'Medium' COVID-19 Risk Alert, Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's official COVID-19 risk alert level has been upgraded to "medium" — a sign that the virus is spreading faster through the five boroughs.

The case rate in the city now stands at 200 per 100,000 people, health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said Monday.

That rate increases the city's risk alert from the "low" level it stood at for months after the staggering omicron variant wave in the winter.

"As a practical matter, what this means for New Yorkers is that they must exercise even greater caution than they have the last few weeks," Vasan said in a statement.

COVID-19 infections have steadily increased for weeks as an even-more-contagious subvariant of omicron known as BA.2 took hold in the city.

The renewed surge prompted Vasan and other health officials to warn that the city's risk alert will likely change to a level indicating increased danger for vulnerable New Yorkers, such as those who are older or with underlying health conditions.

The city saw more than 2,500 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, according to state health department data. On March 1, there were 788 new cases, data showed.

The increase also comes as city, state and federal officials relaxed many stringent COVID-19 mandates, such as for indoor mask wearing and vaccinations.

Vasan, in his announcement, didn't outline any renewed mandates. Instead, he continued to encourage — not require — New Yorkers to wear masks in public indoor settings.

New Yorkers should continue to get vaccinations and recommended booster doses, he said.

"The coming weeks will be critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and getting back to a Low risk level so we can more safely enjoy our spring," he said in a statement. "And remember, the steps you take to protect yourself also protect others, especially those most vulnerable."