[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] As COVID-19 rapidly resurges in the United States, most areas in New York State have become recommended zones for indoor mask-wearing.
According to local media, on the 13th (local time), with a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, most counties in New York State have been classified as 'high' risk areas by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends wearing masks indoors, including in schools, in high-risk areas.
Although indoor mask-wearing is not yet mandatory in New York State, the state health authorities urged residents in high or 'medium' risk areas to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. Mary Bassett, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, said, "Preventive measures such as mask-wearing, along with proper ventilation, will help reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and lower the risk of severe illness or hospitalization."
Earlier, after the major COVID-19 surge caused by the Omicron variant subsided last winter, all state governments in the U.S. lifted mandatory indoor mask-wearing orders.
The recent daily average of new cases in New York State has reached around 10,000. New cases have increased by 82% over two weeks, and hospitalizations have risen by 30%. However, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has been easing prevention regulations recently, described the rise as a "gradual increase" and said, "We will prepare but will not panic."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
