As respiratory viruses, including flu and the dreaded COVID-19 rise in the United States, New York City has reintroduced indoor mask requirements at all public hospitals.

The mandate, as per ABC News, applies to 11 hospitals, 30 health centres and five long-term care facilities run by NYC Health + Hospitals.

<h2>Mask mandate</h2>

Dr Ashwin Vasan, New York City's health commissioner, says the mask mandate is only for the areas where patients are being treated.

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He said that while none of the hospitals are currently overwhelmed&nbsp;and are handling the recent rise in the number of patients well, the mask mandate will help protect the hospital staff from falling sick.

New York's mask guidelines come as hospitals in at least six other US states &nbsp;— California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin — have put in place similar masking mandates.

<h2>Cases in New York and the US</h2>

As per the report citing the New York State Department of Health, during the week ending on Dec 23, hospitalisations in New York rose from 653 to 696.

The same week, across the United States, there were 29,059 new weekly admissions due to COVID-19, reported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the seventh consecutive week of rising numbers and also the highest figure reported in almost a year — since late January 2023.

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Additionally, 14,732 new hospital admissions across America were linked to influenza in the same week. This is almost a 50 per cent jump&nbsp;from the previous week's 9,930 cases, CDC data shows.

Respiratory infections like pertussis or whooping cough are also on the rise, with 108 cases reported in Suffolk County, New York. While there are no known hospitalisations, as per a Suffolk County Department of Health Services press release, this outbreak is mainly among vaccinated children and their parents.

(With inputs from agencies)

As respiratory viruses, including flu and the dreaded COVID-19 rise in the United States, New York City has reintroduced indoor mask requirements at all public hospitals.

As respiratory viruses, including flu and the dreaded COVID-19 rise in the United States, New York City has reintroduced indoor mask requirements at all public hospitals. The mandate, as per ABC News, applies to 11 hospitals, 30 health centres and five long-term care facilities run by NYC Health + Hospitals. Mask mandate Dr Ashwin Vasan, New York City's health commissioner, says the mask mandate is only for the areas where patients are being treated. Also read | Monkeys on Thai island started using stone tools when Covid stopped tourist inflow: Study He said that while none of the hospitals are currently overwhelmed and are handling the recent rise in the number of patients well, the mask mandate will help protect the hospital staff from falling sick. New York's mask guidelines come as hospitals in at least six other US states — California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin — have put in place similar masking mandates. Cases in New York and the US As per the report citing the New York State Department of Health, during the week ending on Dec 23, hospitalisations in New York rose from 653 to 696. The same week, across the United States, there were 29,059 new weekly admissions due to COVID-19, reported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the seventh consecutive week of rising numbers and also the highest figure reported in almost a year — since late January 2023. Also read | Get rid of toxic air indoors if you want to boost your creativity, suggests study Additionally, 14,732 new hospital admissions across America were linked to influenza in the same week. This is almost a 50 per cent jump from the previous week's 9,930 cases, CDC data shows. Respiratory infections like pertussis or whooping cough are also on the rise, with 108 cases reported in Suffolk County, New York. While there are no known hospitalisations, as per a Suffolk County Department of Health Services press release, this outbreak is mainly among vaccinated children and their parents. (With inputs from agencies)

Mask mandate reinstated in New York City hospitals as COVID-19 cases rise

New York state Governor Kathy Hochul has lifted the 28-month-old Covid mandate requiring masks on public transport effective immediately.

The governor added that masks are no longer required in airports and ride-share vehicles, as the rate of infections wanes and hospitalisation decline

The mask mandate was first introduced in April 2020 when the virus was spreading fast throughout New York City.

The governor said that wearing masks have been made optional, citing recent guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hochul said that new boosters that target the dominant omicron subvariant BA.5. should also offer better protection against Covid.

According to CNBC, Hochul made the announcement before receiving her latest Covid booster.

“We do believe that we are in a good place right now, especially if New Yorkers take advantage of this booster. That is how we get back to not just a new normal, but a normal normal, and that is what we are striving for,” Hochul said during a news conference.

However, mask mandates are still in force in nursing homes, hospitals and other health-care facilities licensed by the state, the governor added.

President Joe Biden had first ended the nationwide mask mandate on public transport in April after a Florida judge ruled that the directive was unlawful. However, New York decided to continue with the mandate.

Since then, the people in New York started ditching the rule despite widespread compliance early in the pandemic.

Last week, the CDC&nbsp;approved the new boosters to fight against Omicron. While Pfizer’s shots are available for people ages 12 and older, Moderna’s vaccines are for adults ages 18 and older.

Around 78 per cent of New York state's population are fully vaccinated.

(With inputs from agencies)

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New York state Governor Kathy Hochul has lifted the 28-month-old Covid mandate requiring masks on public transport effective immediately. The governor added that masks are no longer required in airports and ride-share vehicles, as the rate of infections wanes and hospitalisation decline The mask mandate was first introduced in April 2020 when the virus was spreading fast throughout New York City.

New York state Governor Kathy Hochul has lifted the 28-month-old Covid mandate requiring masks on public transport effective immediately. The governor added that masks are no longer required in airports and ride-share vehicles, as the rate of infections wanes and hospitalisation decline The mask mandate was first introduced in April 2020 when the virus was spreading fast throughout New York City. The governor said that wearing masks have been made optional, citing recent guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hochul said that new boosters that target the dominant omicron subvariant BA.5. should also offer better protection against Covid. According to CNBC, Hochul made the announcement before receiving her latest Covid booster. “We do believe that we are in a good place right now, especially if New Yorkers take advantage of this booster. That is how we get back to not just a new normal, but a normal normal, and that is what we are striving for,” Hochul said during a news conference. However, mask mandates are still in force in nursing homes, hospitals and other health-care facilities licensed by the state, the governor added. President Joe Biden had first ended the nationwide mask mandate on public transport in April after a Florida judge ruled that the directive was unlawful. However, New York decided to continue with the mandate. Since then, the people in New York started ditching the rule despite widespread compliance early in the pandemic. Last week, the CDC approved the new boosters to fight against Omicron. While Pfizer’s shots are available for people ages 12 and older, Moderna’s vaccines are for adults ages 18 and older. Around 78 per cent of New York state's population are fully vaccinated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New York state ends mandatory Covid mask requirement in public places

A US judge dismissed President Joe Biden's mask mandate meant for public transportation.

District judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle declared the mask mandate was unlawful while adding that it exceeds the statutory authority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Amid a recent surge in coronavirus cases, officials had extended the mask mandate by 15 days for public transport including in planes and taxis. However, a group called Health Freedom Defense Fund in July 2021 challenged the US government's move.

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The CDC had issued an order in February for people to wear masks in interstate transportation as the US transport administration put out a security directive to enforce the order.

After the verdict was announced by the Florida court, &nbsp;United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Airlines reportedly dropped the mask guideline.

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The White House said the decision by the judge was "disappointing". White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: "The CDC continues recommending wearing a mask in public transit."

The United States has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases with BA.2 Omicron subvariant sweeping the country.

The CDC had said last week that BA.2 Omicron subvariant was responsible for 86 per cent of coronavirus cases in the United States with the northeast area being the worst hit.

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Coronavirus cases have surged in the past month in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. The US had recorded 28,339 COVID-19 cases in the seven-day period till April 9.

(With inputs from Agencies)

A US judge dismissed President Joe Biden's mask mandate meant for public transportation. District judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle declared the mask mandate was unlawful while adding that it exceeds the statutory authority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A US judge dismissed President Joe Biden's mask mandate meant for public transportation. District judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle declared the mask mandate was unlawful while adding that it exceeds the statutory authority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Amid a recent surge in coronavirus cases, officials had extended the mask mandate by 15 days for public transport including in planes and taxis. However, a group called Health Freedom Defense Fund in July 2021 challenged the US government's move. Also Read: Coronavirus can get you sick with just one nasal droplet The CDC had issued an order in February for people to wear masks in interstate transportation as the US transport administration put out a security directive to enforce the order. After the verdict was announced by the Florida court, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Airlines reportedly dropped the mask guideline. Watch: New type of UV radiation developed to combat COVID-19 The White House said the decision by the judge was "disappointing". White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: "The CDC continues recommending wearing a mask in public transit." The United States has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases with BA.2 Omicron subvariant sweeping the country. The CDC had said last week that BA.2 Omicron subvariant was responsible for 86 per cent of coronavirus cases in the United States with the northeast area being the worst hit. Also Read: Moderna's 'Spikevax' coronavirus vaccine gets full FDA approval in US Coronavirus cases have surged in the past month in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. The US had recorded 28,339 COVID-19 cases in the seven-day period till April 9. (With inputs from Agencies)

US judge rejects Biden administration's mask mandate for public transport