Politics & Government
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Tests Positive For COVID-19
Williams said he has mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19, like thousands of other New Yorkers in recent days.
NEW YORK CITY — A growing wave of COVID-19 cases in New York City hit Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Williams, who is running for governor, said he tested positive for the virus Thursday.
"I have mild symptoms and am quarantining at home away from my pregnant wife, who has tested negative," he said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Public Advocate Williams tested positive for COVID-19 with a PCR test tonight, and is experiencing mild symptoms while isolating at home.
We will provide additional updates as needed. pic.twitter.com/JR6Kq7xFiJ
— Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams (@nycpa) December 17, 2021
The city's enormous COVID-19 surge has seen cases hit nearly 4,000 a day so far and positivity rates double over less than a week.
The omicron variant is here in "full force," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday. He and city health officials outlined new efforts to stop the variant, including measures to ease long lines at testing facilities.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
But Williams, who has long advocated for strict steps against the coronavirus, said "more restrictive measures" are needed.
"Government should take the lead by immediately transitioning to remote work whenever possible," he said in a statement.
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