Forest Hills Added To NYC Coronavirus Watchlist

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Forest Hills has been added to the city's coronavirus watchlist.

In a news conference, the mayor urged Forest Hills residents to get tested for the coronavirus and double down on prevention efforts.

De Blasio said the 11375 ZIP Code, which makes up Forest Hills, has seen a 1.95 percent positivity rate in coronavirus tests over the last seven days.

Areas are not subject to restrictions until they surpass 3 percent over seven consecutive days, but areas with positivity between 1 and 3 percent are monitored closely.

The best way to avoid ending up in a restricted areas, de Blasio said, is to get tested and "follow all those basic health and safety rules."

Dr. Ted Long, Executive Director of the city's Test & Trace Corps, said coronavirus testing resources are being diverted to high-risk communities. At least 10 test sites are located throughout Forest Hills. You can find a test site near you online.

"To everyone in those areas," the mayor said. "Please go get tested so we can get the truth about what’s happening in your neighborhood. The more people that get tested, the better picture we get."

All told, 10 areas are on New York City's watchlist:

• Brooklyn
  • 11218 — Kensington/Windsor Terrace
  • 11213 — Crown Heights (East)
  • 11205 — Bedford-Stuyvesant (West)/Clinton Hill/Fort Greene
  • 11211 and 11249 — East Williamsburg/Williamsburg (North)/Williamsburg (South)
  • 11234 — Bergen Beach/Flatlands/Marine Park/Mill Basin
  • 11235 — Brighton Beach/Manhattan Beach/Sheepshead Bay
• Queens
  • 11374 — Rego Park
  • 11365 — Auburndale/Fresh Meadows/Momonok/Utopia
  • 11366 — Fresh Meadows/Hillcrest
  • 11432 — Hillcrest/Jamaica Estates/Jamaica Hills