NYC Hits Lowest Coronavirus Rate In 6 Months, Mayor Says

NEW YORK CITY — The coronavirus rate in New York City hit a months-long low as the city is poised for a wide reopening.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday told WNYC's Brian Lehrer that the city's average positivity stood at 2.41 percent.

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“This is the lowest COVID rate in New York City in six months,” he said.

The low rate coincides with a wider drop statewide. New York's overall rate stood at 1.22 percent — the lowest level since Oct. 22, according to the governor's office.

City and state officials measure positivity rates slightly differently — and the state's numbers typically skew much lower — but the combined trend indicates COVID-19 is on the decline.

De Blasio credited the cratering numbers to coronavirus vaccinations — the city has doled out 6.87 million total doses of vaccine, according to data.

"Everyone now has perfect proof that vaccination was the difference maker,” he said. “Because we went from a situation where COVID was rampant to a situation where it’s now on the run.”