NYC Health Inspections, Enforcement Efforts Continue In Neighborhoods With Growing COVID-19 Infection Rates – CBS New York

September 26, 2020 steven

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Inspections and enforcement efforts continue Saturday after health officials reported COVID-19 spikes in parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

Doctors said they’re starting to see an uptick in the number of patients hospitalized in Brooklyn, CBS2’s Christina Fan reported.

City officials are focusing in on a list of clusters causing concern:

Gravesend/Homecrest — 6.42% infection rate
Midwood — 5.05% infection rate
Kew Gardens — 4.18% infection rate
Edgemere/Far Rockaway — 4.05% infection rate
Borough Park — 3.9% infection rate
Bensonhurst/Mapleton — 3.45% infection rate
Gerritsen Beach/Homecrest/Sheepshead Bay — 3.34% infection rate
Flatlands/Midwood — 3.1% infection rate

Most of the reported COVID clusters are in Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods that are home to Orthodox Jewish communities, some of whom feel unfairly targeted by the city’s intervention. But local leaders are echoing safety precautions.

“I urge each of you to be vigilant about mask wearing and social distancing,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch.

MORE: New York City Neighborhoods Experiencing COVID-19 Spikes May Face More Shutdowns

On Friday, health officials visited communities with high infection rates to reiterate the importance of wearing masks and social distancing.

“We know that the rates are three times higher, and then when we drive through, walk through the neighborhood, we see people are not adhering. So we know that the transmission is going on,” said Dr. Mitch Katz, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Mobile testing sites are set up in the neighborhoods. Non-public schools will undergo regular inspections.

The city health department said non-public schools that do not comply with “risk reduction” measures can be fined $1,000 and forced to close. They include mandatory social distancing, face coverings, coordinating with the Health Department to identify positive cases and requiring students and staff with symptoms to stay home.

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea plans on increasing enforcement on masks and social distancing within clusters.

If there isn’t enough compliance across the board, city officials said all non-essential businesses in those areas could be ordered to close.

You can get the latest news, sports and weather on our brand new CBS New York app. Download here.

Source link