NYC Daily COVID Cases Top 1K As Thanksgiving Dawns

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's COVID-19 cases are on the rise, but that doesn't mean Thanksgiving is canceled.

Most New Yorkers can hold a safe holiday gathering this year, thanks to vaccinations and testing, said Dave Chokshi, the city's health commissioner.

About 76 percent of all city dwellers have received at least one dose of vaccine, he said.

“First, every activity is safer if you’re fully vaccinated and people can feel comfortable coming together in small gatherings when everyone is vaccinated,” he said Wednesday. “Testing before and after gatherings or travel adds one more layer of safety and testing is widely available across New York City.”

Chokshi's health advice for the city's second pandemic Thanksgiving is vastly different from what officials recommended last year.

New Yorkers were told to cancel or avoid gatherings during the 2020 holiday season to avert a surge in cases. The city saw its highest spike of COVID-19 infections after the holidays.

This year, coronavirus cases are on the rise. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that average infections numbered 1,278 a day — up from 838 in late October.

Chokshi still advised New Yorkers to avoid gatherings if they feel sick or if there's a mix of unvaccinated people, including children.

But he said testing can help holiday planning, especially since about 70 percent of all test results in the city come back within a day.

Vaccinations, including boosters, are also important, he said.

“Every day is a good day to get vaccinated, whether for your first dose or your booster,” he said, though he noted protection is gradual.