All Eyes On Staten Island As Next Potential Coronavirus Hotspot

NEW YORK CITY — Expanded testing is coming to Staten Island as the city's potential second wave of coronavirus threatens to first wash over the forgotten borough.

A Tottenville ZIP code — 10307 — had the highest coronavirus positivity rate in the city last week at 6.57 percent, according to newly-released data.

The high rate comes from 28 positive cases out of 426 people tested. It's a relative handful of cases compared to some affected neighborhoods, but still a worrisome sign for city health officials.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday reiterated a past pledge to redouble testing and prevention efforts in Staten Island. Doing so will stop a second wave from hitting the borough and the city, he said.

"We are going to see a Day of Action tomorrow in Staten Island," he said Monday. "And this Day of Action means a lot outreach, a lot of mask distribution, a lot of testing. There'll be an outreach effort at the ferry terminal and other locations around the island."

De Blasio has warned a second wave is knocking on New York City's door. Its positivity rate now stands at above 2 percent over a seven-day average and it hit a 779 new case average, according to the most recent data.

Previous worrisome coronavirus hotspots in Brooklyn and Queens appear to be cooling off. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday lifted the most restrictive "red zone" label from a swath of southern Brooklyn — a move that lets non-essential businesses and houses of worship begin to reopen ever-so-slightly.

Cuomo and health officials have not made a decision on applying the color-coded zones to parts of Staten Island on a coronavirus uptick.

De Blasio, when asked about numerous Bronx ZIP codes currently at 3 percent or more, said those have yo-yoed up and down while Staten Island has seen a steady, and thus more-worrisome, increase.

Ted Long, who heads the city's Test and Trace Corps, encouraged Staten Islanders to get tested so the city can fight the coronavirus. He said 75 health workers will be roving around the island on Tuesday.

"They'll be at the ferry, they'll be at Staten Island Mall, they'll be at Brick Town Center at Charleston and they'll be at Forest Plaza," he said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get tested. Again, come to any of our sites for a fast, easy, and, of course, free test. You will help us to win this fight. We'll see you on Tuesday."