Half of NY counties could mask up indoors under CDC rules

Half of NY counties could mask up indoors under CDC rules

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Half of New York’s counties have passed a mark that means they should mask up indoors under federal guidelines – even if they’re fully vaccinated.

Thirty one counties – including all five boroughs of the city – out of 62 in the Empire State now have a substantial or high number of coronavirus transmission, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday.

That number is a large leap from Sunday, when 23 counties had substantial or high transmission rates, according to CDC designations.

The CDC issued new guidance on mask wearing last week as cases of the more contagious Delta variant surge across the country.

The CDC has four categories of transmission level – low, moderate, substantial and high based on the amount of new cases per 100,000 of population or a high number of positive tests.

CDC data suggests the majority of New York counties have a “substantial” or “high number” of COVID-19 transmission.
CDC data suggests the majority of New York counties have a “substantial” or “high number” of COVID-19 transmission.
CDC

Areas with 50 new cases per 100,000 of population are considered substantial transmission counties and areas with 100 or more new cases per 100,000 are considered high, according to CDC guidelines.

CDC numbers show the seven-day average in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Nassau County hitting the “high” standard. The Bronx, Queens, Suffolk County and the northern suburbs, meanwhile, hit the “substantial” mark.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has previously stated that “high-risk” areas should consider bringing back a mask mandate.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has previously stated that “high-risk” areas should consider bringing back a mask mandate.
Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Only Orleans and Yates counties were designated as low transmission in the latest CDC numbers.

City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that New Yorkers will have to show proof of vaccination to enter indoor businesses including restaurants and gyms beginning Sept. 13.

“If you want to participate in society fully, you’ve got to get vaccinated,” de Blasio said of the program, dubbed “Key to NYC Pass.”

A woman wears a face mask in Midtown Manhattan on July 29 2021.
A woman wears a face mask in Midtown Manhattan on July 29 2021.
AFP via Getty Images

Citywide data show the seven-day average of confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths increasing when compared to the daily average of the last 28 days.

“High”

Kings County

Nassau County

New York County

Richmond County

A woman walks past a sign enforcing mask use at Penn station on August 2, 2021.
A woman walks past a sign enforcing mask use at Penn station on August 2, 2021.
AFP via Getty Images

“Substantial”

Albany County

Bronx County

Chenango County

Columbia County

People ride down elevators while wearing masks at Penn station on August 2, 2021.
People ride down elevators while wearing masks at Penn station on August 2, 2021.
AFP via Getty Images

Delaware County

Dutchess County

Erie County

Lewis County

A restaurant on the Upper West Side enforces a mask mandate amid Valentine's Day celebrations on February 11, 2021.
A restaurant on the Upper West Side enforces a mask mandate amid Valentine’s Day celebrations on February 11, 2021.
Getty Images

Monroe County

Montgomery County

Niagara County

Onondaga County

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon speaks at an event at the new Salt City Market in downtown Syracuse, NY on April 28, 2021.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon speaks at an event at the new Salt City Market in downtown Syracuse, NY on April 28, 2021.
REUTERS/Zoe Davis

Orange County

Otsego County

Rockland County

Putnam County

Queens County

Mayor Bill de Blasio has urged New Yorkers to get vaccinated “to participate in society fully.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio has urged New Yorkers to get vaccinated “to participate in society fully.”
Braulio Jatar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Rensselaer County

Saratoga County

Schenectady County

Schoharie County

Seneca County

Mayor Bill de Blasio has mandated COVID-19 vaccination proof in order for New Yorkers to enter gyms.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has mandated COVID-19 vaccination proof in order for New Yorkers to enter gyms.
AFP via Getty Images

Suffolk County

Sullivan County

Tompkins County

Ulster County

Westchester County

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