The number of confirmed measles cases in New York City has risen to 550, including seven newly-confirmed cases on Staten Island, the city health department announced Wednesday.
Six of the Staten Island cases — which health officials said were linked to the Rockland County outbreak and date back to March — were recently reported by a health care provider after the infected individuals received medical attention after recovering.
According to the health department, the seventh Staten Island case is linked to Sunset Park, where 12 people had the measles as of Tuesday.
The department says 77 percent of the measles cases in New York City, which stem from an outbreak that started in October, have been diagnosed in Williamsburg. The outbreak has had the largest impact on members of the Orthodox Jewish community in the neighborhood.
Health department officials said 42 people, including 12 admitted to ICUs, have been hospitalized due to complications linked to the outbreak overall.
In April, the city ordered mandatory measles vaccinations for every person older than six months in the zip codes 11205, 11206, 11211, and 11249 — all in Williamsburg. The order applies to anyone living, working, or going to school in the area.
Since then, 123 people in Williamsburg have been fined for not complying with the order, the city said. They face fines up to $1,000. Several schools were also temporarily shut down for not complying, according to health department officials.
The city expanded its mandatory measles vaccination order to Sunset Park last week.
The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reviewing vaccination records of every person who may have been in contact with measles patients. The city said it would help everyone covered by the order get the vaccine if they can't get it quickly through their regular medical provider.