Hell's Kitchen's COVID-19 Rates Inch Upwards Amid Delta's Spread

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — Coronavirus rates have risen mildly in Hell's Kitchen in recent weeks, part of a citywide trend that health officials have attributed to the spread of the more contagious Delta variant.

During the week that ended Sunday, the percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive had eclipsed 1 percent in Hell's Kitchen's three ZIP codes. In late May, by comparison, none was above 0.7 percent.

A total of 41 Hell's Kitchen residents tested positive during that seven-day period, according to city data. The trend represents a change from a few weeks ago, when rates in the neighborhood reached their lowest levels since the pandemic began.

The uptick has been most visible in the city's least vaccinated neighborhoods, including several on Staten Island. The Delta variant, estimated to be 50 percent more contagious than the British Alpha variant, made up 69 percent of new cases during the week ending July 3, according to the city.

"The spread of the Delta variant means that it is perhaps the most dangerous time to be unvaccinated," Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said Monday. "My message is to convey a clear sense of urgency that we have to make sure as many people are as protected as possible in the next few weeks."

Still, the situation in Hell's Kitchen is a far cry from where things stood before the vaccine rollout. During January's post-holiday surge, positivity rates in the neighborhood ranged between 5.11 and 5.64 percent.

Meanwhile, Hell's Kitchen remains one of the city's most heavily vaccinated neighborhoods — 100 percent of residents in 10018 and 10036 are fully vaccinated, while 88 percent in 10019 have gotten both doses.

Previous coverage: Hell's Kitchen Coronavirus Rates Plummet To All-Time Lows: Data