The percentage of positive COVID test results in New York City dropped fast over the last several days, strongly suggesting the Omicron/Delta surge is passing. Roosevelt Island registers much better than average.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
As of January 10th, when the city’s positive rate hit a high of 22.1%, Roosevelt Island was behind the curve at 20%. A relatively small difference, but when you look at neighborhood by neighborhood results, the community was among the lowest in the city. The Omicron/Delta surge jammed many others near the top.
Roosevelt Island’s high vaccinated rate of 91% – fully vaccinated, 81% – plays a role as does awareness created by the increased presence of PSD officers in Tram cabins and on buses. Where they were once a common cause for alarm, maskless passengers are now rare.
Perhaps the greatest impact came from elected officials, City Council Member Julie Menin and State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, pitching in mobile testing, KN95 face mask handouts and vaccine awareness. Both filled in where a characteristically absentee RIOC remained mostly asleep at the wheel.
While local statistics lag, New York State Department of Health reports show the city positivity rate plunging to 18% by the 12th. Roosevelt Island almost certainly followed that sharp downward trend.
A quick aside on vaccinations
Getting vaccinated is a personal choice, even though it affects everyone around you. But a glance at recent statistics is an eye-opener.
The most recent results from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene show a 7-day average of 189 COVID-19 cases among vaccinated people. Compare that with a stunning 757 among the unvaccinated. Not convincing enough? The comparison among those hospitalized is more dramatic: 25 unvaccinated to 3 vaccinated.
The message is clear: Get vaccinated. It’s good for you and, also, everyone around you.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Fatal Stabbing on J Train at Woodhaven Boulevard Spurs Subway Safety Concerns in QueensA fatal stabbing on J train at Woodhaven Boulevard raises fresh subway safety concerns in Queens, as NYPD investigates and riders reflect on recent incidents.
- J and M Train Weekend Service Changes: What Riders Need to KnowJ and M train weekend service changes will impact riders for five weekends as crews replace elevated track switches. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for modified schedules across Brooklyn and Queens.
- Coastal Flooding Disrupts Southeast Queens Streets and TransitCoastal flooding disrupted streets and transit across Southeast Queens as a fall nor’easter brought heavy rain and renewed calls for resilience and improved drainage.
- Nor’easter Brings Slow Streets and Transit Delays Across Queens and NYCAfter the nor’easter, slow streets and transit delays across Queens and NYC greeted commuters. Utility crews continued repairs as normal routines resumed Monday.
- Nor’easter Brings Flooding and Disruption Across New York CityA powerful nor’easter brings flooding and disruption across New York City, with heavy rain, gusty winds, and coastal flooding impacting neighborhoods through the weekend.
Stack Work Advances While Answers Do Not
On June 17 and 18, HPD told the first meeting of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant Demolition Community Advisory Group that smokestack demolition had no projected start date. Residents and the CAG would receive at least five business days’ advance notice once a date was set. Scaffolding around the stacks could not proceed until soil removal and backfill were complete and the area stabilized.
1 COMMENTS