East NY ZIP Code Sees Highest COVID Rate In Brooklyn As Cases Rise

EAST NEW YORK, BROOKLYN — A section of East New York had the highest positivity rate in the borough as New York City approached a coronavirus high-alert this week, according to city data.

The 11239 ZIP code, which covers Starrett City, had the highest seven-day average coronavirus rate in all of Brooklyn at the end of last week, the latest data available as the city entered its high-alert status Tuesday.

The 15.63-percent coronavirus rate was higher than nearly all ZIP codes citywide, data shows.

It comes as Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan announced the city had moved to its high alert level given rising cases fueled by variants of omicron.

"High" alert means New Yorkers are strongly advised to wear masks in public indoor settings and crowded outdoor settings, the city's risk page states. People are also urged to consider avoiding higher-risk activities such as crowded indoor settings, as well as test before and after traveling or getting together with others.

Just one month ago, the city's COVID-19 risk alert level stood at "low."

Citywide, positivity stands at 9.11 percent and cases are averaging 3,500 per day, data shows.

Some parts of East New York and Brownsville were more in line with the citywide rates than Starrett City, with positivity ranging from 9.74 percent to 11.66 percent in the rest of the neighborhoods' ZIP codes as of May 14, data shows.

Here's a look at the details:

Ocean Hill-Brownsville: 11212

• 7-day percent positive: 10.23%
• People tested (reported to date): 1,154
• New people positive (reported to date): 118

Cypress Hills/East New York: 11207

• 7-day percent positive: 9.74%
• People tested (reported to date): 1,212
• New people positive (reported to date): 118

Bedford-Stuyvesant (East)/Ocean Hill-Brownsville: 11233

• 7-day percent positive: 11.55%
• People tested (reported to date): 1,048
• New people positive (reported to date): 121

East New York: 11239

• 7-day percent positive: 15.63%
• People tested (reported to date): 224
• New people positive (reported to date): 35

Cypress Hills/East New York: 11208

• 7-day percent positive: 11.66%
• People tested (reported to date): 1,304
• New people positive (reported to date): 152