NEW YORK — Kavita and Amit Padhiar will head out of the city to visit family for the holidays — as long as their COVID-19 tests come back negative.
They plan to keep their gathering small and safe.
What You Need To Know
- New Yorkers were lined up outside a CityMD in Gramercy on Monday as COVID-19 rates spike
- The demand has been so great, CityMD adjusted hours to close earlier for the health and safety of its staff
- The mayor said last week nearly 300,000 New Yorkers got tested
- The mayor also said almost 75,000 New Yorkers got checked for COVID-19 on Friday alone
“Hopefully we're a bit more efficient in how we process and triage patients than we were back in March, but it’s going to be a difficult time for everyone, I think, generally,” said Amit Padhiar.
The Padhiars were among the many New Yorkers out getting tested Monday as the city’s positivity rate rose. They waited in line at a CityMD, where the demand is so high, all the clinics locations now close 90 minutes earlier. CityMD cited the health and safety of staff and doctors working longer hours for months now.
Longer lines have also been seen at many other testing sites.
“A coworker of mine tested positive, and also I have a pregnant wife,” said another New Yorker. “We're due next week, so we want to make sure everything is good.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said nearly 300,000 New Yorkers got tested last year. The mayor also said almost 75,000 New Yorkers got checked for COVID-19 on Friday alone.
People NY1 spoke with said fears of a second wave, combined with the upcoming holidays, motivated them to get a test.
“My dad is coming into the city tomorrow and I’ll be leaving to go home for Thanksgiving shortly after that,” one resident getting tested said Monday. “So with all with new restrictions and stuff in place, I just thought it was the smart thing to do.”
“I think it’s important that we know exactly how many people are sick, and if the rates are going up I think it’s important these restrictions are taken seriously,” said another.
City officials are reminding New Yorkers that even small Thanksgiving gatherings can lead to COVID-19 transmission. They're urging people to take part in traditions virtually and celebrate at a safe distance.
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