The largest city in the United States, New York has raised its coronavirus alert level from medium to high after recording a surge in cases.

Making the announcement, Ashwin Vasan, the city's health commissioner said, "New York City has transitioned to a high COVID alert level, meaning now is the time to double down on protecting ourselves and each other by making choices that can keep our friends, neighbours, relatives, and coworkers from getting sick."

In recent weeks, the rise in coronavirus cases has put pressure on New York's health system and it spreading at a high rate in the community.

People living in New York need to avoid high-risk activities and wear a facemask in both crowded outdoor settings and public indoor settings.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-york-city-lifts-covid-19-vaccine-and-mask-mandates-460298/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, wearing masks is not mandatory according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams even though the seven-day average percentage of positive COVID-19 test results rose to 5.18 per cent on Monday.

Referring to the pandemic, top US infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said, "By no means is it over."

Many Americans shed masks and returned to offices after the COVID-19 threat subsided following the Omicron wave last winter.

According to an estimate published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 213,000 children in the country have lost at least one parent or primary caregiver during the pandemic.

According to a tally published by news agency Reuters, the US has now recorded more than 1 million COVID-19 deaths.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The largest city in the United States, New York has raised its coronavirus alert level from medium to high after recording a surge in cases. Making the announcement, Ashwin Vasan, the city's health commissioner said, "New York City has transitioned to a high COVID alert level, meaning now is the time to double down on protecting ourselves and each other by making choices that can keep our friends, neighbours, relatives, and coworkers from getting sick.

The largest city in the United States, New York has raised its coronavirus alert level from medium to high after recording a surge in cases. Making the announcement, Ashwin Vasan, the city's health commissioner said, "New York City has transitioned to a high COVID alert level, meaning now is the time to double down on protecting ourselves and each other by making choices that can keep our friends, neighbours, relatives, and coworkers from getting sick." In recent weeks, the rise in coronavirus cases has put pressure on New York's health system and it spreading at a high rate in the community. People living in New York need to avoid high-risk activities and wear a facemask in both crowded outdoor settings and public indoor settings. However, wearing masks is not mandatory according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams even though the seven-day average percentage of positive COVID-19 test results rose to 5.18 per cent on Monday. Referring to the pandemic, top US infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said, "By no means is it over." Many Americans shed masks and returned to offices after the COVID-19 threat subsided following the Omicron wave last winter. According to an estimate published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 213,000 children in the country have lost at least one parent or primary caregiver during the pandemic. According to a tally published by news agency Reuters, the US has now recorded more than 1 million COVID-19 deaths. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Coronavirus in New York: Largest city in US raises alert level from medium to high as cases surge

America's New York City which was the epicentre of the virus last year announced that 70 per cent adults had taken one vaccine dose as authorities lifted coronavirus curbs.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo said: "Today New York State reached our goal of 70% adult vaccination that means we can return to life as we know it."

"Effective immediately, state-mandated COVID restrictions are lifted across commercial and social settings," the New York governor informed.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today New York State reached our goal of 70% adult vaccination. 
 
That means we can return to life as we know it. 
 
Effective immediately, state-mandated COVID restrictions are lifted across commercial and social settings. <a href="https://t.co/sMdqkSJ6h5">pic.twitter.com/sMdqkSJ6h5</a>
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1404838602509590538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"We have hit 70 per cent vaccination. It is the national goal, and we hit it ahead of schedule. What does 70 per cent mean? It means that we can now return to life as we know," an elated governor Cuomo said.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had earlier announced that a ticker-tape parade to&nbsp;be conducted on July 7 to honour the health workers who fought against the virus to treat patients.

The virus positivity rate has fallen to a dramatic 0.59 per cent. New York witnessed 33,000 COVID-19 fatalities as it battled the virus during the height of crisis with lockdowns and hospitalisations.

"We were knocked down but we got back up and that's something to celebrate about this city," Blasio stated as he celebrated the city's victory over the virus after overcoming dark times most of last year.

The United States is the worst-hit country due to the virus. The country crossed the grim milestone of&nbsp;600,000 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday.

"There's still too many lives being lost," US President Biden said on the continued virus death toll.

According to US health officials, at least 52 per cent of the population has received one dose of the virus even as Biden has set a target of 70 per cent by July 4.

Vaccinations had begun in the US in December with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and had reached a peak of 4 million shots administered per day in April.

(With inputs from Agencies)

America's New York City which was the epicentre of the virus last year announced that 70 per cent adults had taken one vaccine dose as authorities lifted coronavirus curbs.

America's New York City which was the epicentre of the virus last year announced that 70 per cent adults had taken one vaccine dose as authorities lifted coronavirus curbs. New York governor Andrew Cuomo said: "Today New York State reached our goal of 70% adult vaccination that means we can return to life as we know it." "Effective immediately, state-mandated COVID restrictions are lifted across commercial and social settings," the New York governor informed. Today New York State reached our goal of 70% adult vaccination. That means we can return to life as we know it. Effective immediately, state-mandated COVID restrictions are lifted across commercial and social settings. pic.twitter.com/sMdqkSJ6h5 — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 15, 2021 × "We have hit 70 per cent vaccination. It is the national goal, and we hit it ahead of schedule. What does 70 per cent mean? It means that we can now return to life as we know," an elated governor Cuomo said. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had earlier announced that a ticker-tape parade to be conducted on July 7 to honour the health workers who fought against the virus to treat patients. The virus positivity rate has fallen to a dramatic 0.59 per cent. New York witnessed 33,000 COVID-19 fatalities as it battled the virus during the height of crisis with lockdowns and hospitalisations. "We were knocked down but we got back up and that's something to celebrate about this city," Blasio stated as he celebrated the city's victory over the virus after overcoming dark times most of last year. The United States is the worst-hit country due to the virus. The country crossed the grim milestone of 600,000 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday. "There's still too many lives being lost," US President Biden said on the continued virus death toll. According to US health officials, at least 52 per cent of the population has received one dose of the virus even as Biden has set a target of 70 per cent by July 4. Vaccinations had begun in the US in December with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and had reached a peak of 4 million shots administered per day in April. (With inputs from Agencies)

Once virus epicenter, New York lifts Covid curbs after vaccination success

Hard hit New York City begins reopening as coronavirus infection rate plummets

New York remains the worst affected state in the US with nearly 270000 cases of coronavirus so far but a new antibody study by the state shows that people infected could be far more. Watch report.

Nearly 3,176 deaths in last 24-hours | United States | Coronavirus Pandemic

New antibody study in New York: Nearly 14% tests positive for antibodies

Governor Andrew Cuomo said that according to a survey as many as 2.7 million New Yorkers may have been infected with<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-viral-drug-being-hailed-as-coronavirus-cure-fails-first-clinical-trial-294417"> coronavirus </a>which suggests that the number of infected cases may be higher than recorded.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/covid-19-an-end-of-american-hegemony-294491">Also Read:&nbsp;COVID 19: An end of American hegemony?</a>

"If the infection rate is 13.9 per cent, then it changes the theories of what the death rate is if you get infected," Cuomo said.

According to a survey, more than one in five New Yorkers may already have&nbsp;the new coronavirus.

"It's vital for any state, I believe, to first get a baseline study of where you are on the infection rate," Cuomo said.

"I want to see snapshots of what is happening with that rate – is it going up, is it flat, is it going down," the New York governor said.

Cuomo said the official death rate 15,500 was an undercount since it included people who had died in hospitals or nursing homes and not those who died at home without coronavirus diagnosis.

According to a survey by the University of Southern California, the death rate of 863 people was lower than the previous count, including the fact that the virus could have spread widely by people who were not diagnosed with the virus.

The New York governor had said earlier that hospitalizations had fallen 578 to 15,021 patients on Wednesday which was the tenth day of decline.

The United States has the highest number of infected cases in the world with 869,172 cases.&nbsp;

Governor Andrew Cuomo said that according to a survey as many as 2.7 million New Yorkers may have been infected with coronavirus which suggests that the number of infected cases may be higher than recorded.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said that according to a survey as many as 2.7 million New Yorkers may have been infected with coronavirus which suggests that the number of infected cases may be higher than recorded. Also Read: COVID 19: An end of American hegemony? "If the infection rate is 13.9 per cent, then it changes the theories of what the death rate is if you get infected," Cuomo said. According to a survey, more than one in five New Yorkers may already have the new coronavirus. "It's vital for any state, I believe, to first get a baseline study of where you are on the infection rate," Cuomo said. "I want to see snapshots of what is happening with that rate – is it going up, is it flat, is it going down," the New York governor said. Cuomo said the official death rate 15,500 was an undercount since it included people who had died in hospitals or nursing homes and not those who died at home without coronavirus diagnosis. According to a survey by the University of Southern California, the death rate of 863 people was lower than the previous count, including the fact that the virus could have spread widely by people who were not diagnosed with the virus. The New York governor had said earlier that hospitalizations had fallen 578 to 15,021 patients on Wednesday which was the tenth day of decline. The United States has the highest number of infected cases in the world with 869,172 cases.

2.7 million in New York may have coronavirus, survey suggests

As the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-is-10-times-deadlier-than-swine-flu-who-292313">coronavirus</a> death toll in New York crossed 10,000, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared on Monday that the "worst is over".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spains-coronavirus-death-toll-falls-to-517-in-24-hours-292251">Also Read:&nbsp;Spain's coronavirus death toll falls to 517 in 24 hours</a>

"I believe we can now start on the path to normalcy," the New York governor said as he informed that said his administration was working on a plan to gradually reopen the economy.

Cuomo informed that 671 people had died in the last 24 hours as the total COVID-19 death toll in New York reached 10,056.&nbsp;

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had said earlier that public schools in New York would remain shut until the end of the school period.

"There is nothing easy about this decision," the mayor said. However, Governor Cuomo said he had the authority to take that call.

"You can't make a decision just within New York City without coordinating that decision with the whole metropolitan region, because it all works together," Cuomo said.

New York state, with 19 million people, has registered more than 170,000 coronavirus&nbsp;cases even as the whole of United States reported 558,999 cases which is the highest in the world. Italy has the most number of cases after the US with&nbsp;169, 496 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Adriana Heguy, a geneticist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine who led the research, told AFP that the virus spread in the city after identifying local samples from Europe.

As the coronavirus death toll in New York crossed 10,000, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared on Monday that the "worst is over". Also Read: Spain's coronavirus death toll falls to 517 in 24 hours "I believe we can now start on the path to normalcy," the New York governor said as he informed that said his administration was working on a plan to gradually reopen the economy.

As the coronavirus death toll in New York crossed 10,000, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared on Monday that the "worst is over". Also Read: Spain's coronavirus death toll falls to 517 in 24 hours "I believe we can now start on the path to normalcy," the New York governor said as he informed that said his administration was working on a plan to gradually reopen the economy. Cuomo informed that 671 people had died in the last 24 hours as the total COVID-19 death toll in New York reached 10,056. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had said earlier that public schools in New York would remain shut until the end of the school period. "There is nothing easy about this decision," the mayor said. However, Governor Cuomo said he had the authority to take that call. "You can't make a decision just within New York City without coordinating that decision with the whole metropolitan region, because it all works together," Cuomo said. New York state, with 19 million people, has registered more than 170,000 coronavirus cases even as the whole of United States reported 558,999 cases which is the highest in the world. Italy has the most number of cases after the US with 169, 496 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, Adriana Heguy, a geneticist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine who led the research, told AFP that the virus spread in the city after identifying local samples from Europe.

Worst is over, says New York governor as COVID-19 death toll crosses 10,000

A record single-day death toll of 779 taking the total count to 6000 and counting. Nearly 1,50,000 active cases. This is the tally for New York alone. The United States' most populous city.

A record single-day death toll of 779 taking the total count to 6000 and counting. Nearly 1,50,000 active cases. This is the tally for New York alone. The United States' most populous city. Also read: Coronavirus replaced by racism, xenophobia and hate against foreigners in China The world's financial capital and now global coronavirus epicentre. New york's COVID-19 numbers have surpassed that of Spain's. Also read: COVID-19: New York reports new one-day record death toll as governor Cuomo says hospitalizations have fallen To make the matters worse, authorities have flagged the possibility of under-counting. The situation is a grim reminder of 9/11. New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo said: "I mean, I went through a 9/11 I thought in my lifetime, I wouldn't have to see anything like that again." The city's hospitals are inundated. Patients are now being treated at churches. There has been a fall in the hospitalisation, experts say that the curve may also be flattening but authorities are wary of striking a note too optimistic. "Be careful of counting our chickens before they hatch. We haven't seen cases yet. We are in the midst of this. Don't start doing a retrospective like it's over because that's the attitude we have to avoid," added Cuomo. New Yorkers know its not over, in fact, far from it. Alix Monteleone, a 28-year-old, experiential account supervisor, said: "This is very real. And we're seeing so much chaos manifest outside of our home that we can't imagine how bad it is inside. You know, we stopped counting how many bodies came out." The number of cases in the United States has crossed 4,35,000 and the death toll is nearing 15,000. The US has been the hardest hit by the pandemic. President Donald Trump's weapon of choice is denial. He says social distancing is working, Trump said: "What we've accomplished, if every American continues to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines, we can defeat the invisible enemy and save countless lives that we can do it much more quickly." The reality is thousands of Americans are flouting social distancing norms and the reality is a shortage of test kits, so much so that, frontline workers are being denied tests. That is, unless, they show severe symptoms Fixating over hydroxychloroquine. The reality is also apathy at the highest level. According to the US Media, the White House was warned about a possible pandemic as early as November 2019. The president sat on this putting millions of lives at risk and months later. President Donald Trump said: "So you're talking about 2.2 million deaths, 2.2 million people from this. And so if we could hold that down, as we're saying, to 100,000, it's a horrible number, maybe even less, but to 100,000. So we have between 100 and 200,000. We altogether have done a very good job." The good news is that the latest estimates show fewer projected deaths in the country. Americans are cheering each other up in tough times like these, empathy and solidarity is helping them cope with the crisis.

Trump wobbles as New York becomes coronavirus epicentre

New York City: From a global cultural capital to a ghost town!

COVID-19 cases have risen sharply in the United States and 59% of cases are in the city of New York. The governor of New York said that April and May could be worse than now. Watch report:

1/3rd of COVID-19 cases in New York: US Senate agrees on $2 trillion stimulus package