New York City has overcome its most recent COVID-19 wave, according to the city’s Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.
In a series of tweets posted Thursday morning, Vasan said COVID-19 cases have fallen by 26% in the five boroughs since May 23, “giving us confidence that we have passed the peak and we are heading into a safer environment.”
On May 17, the city moved from a “medium” COVID alert level to a “high” alert level amid a significant untick in cases.
While officials did not imposed any new mandates, New Yorkers were urged to wear high-quality masks in public indoor settings and “crowded outdoor spaces."
The last masking mandate that remained in New York City was for children ages 2-4 in schools and day cares. That mandate was set to be lifted on Monday.
Vasan on Thursday noted that while cases have begun to go back down, “COVID-19 is still with us.”
“We continue to strongly recommend masks in public indoor settings and urge New Yorkers to protect themselves and others with testing, treatments and staying home if ill,” he said.
All eligible New Yorkers are also being urged to get vaccinated and boosted against the virus.
New York City was still listed as being at a “high” COVID alert level as of Thursday. It remains unclear when, or if, that alert will be lowered again.