New York COVID-19 Cases Skyrocket To 21K In Single Day: Governor

NEW YORK CITY — The number of COVID-19 cases in New York City skyrocketed Friday to more than 10,000 with 21,000 reported statewide, breaking a grim record in the state's battle against the virus, officials said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul released state data that show 10,286 new COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in New York City Friday and 21,027 statewide.

"The winter surge in COVID-19 cases is a reminder that the pandemic is not over yet," the governor said in a statement. "We must take extra care to keep ourselves and each other safe."

New York City Council Member Mark Levine called it an "All-time record."

COVID-19 hospitalizations mounted to 3,839 with 731 admitted to intensive care units, state data show.

Health officials blame the spike on the highly contagious omicron variant, which hit New York City earlier this month, and may spread at 70-times the rate of the delta variant, a new study from the University of Hong Kong suggests.

In an interview on MSNBC Friday afternoon, Hochul said of omicron, "this spreads quickly but it's not as dangerous."

Hochul added she did not expect, or want, to institute a shutdown similar to the PAUSE policy implemented by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in March 2020 when the virus first hit.

"This is not about shutting down," Hochul said. "This is about taking precautions."

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday delta remains the dominant coronavirus strain in the New York City, but the omicron variant appears to be spreading beyond estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

De Blasio told New Yorkers Friday not expect school shutdowns which he called a weapon of "yesterday's war" during an interview with WNYC's Brian Lehrer.

Three city schools closed Friday due to COVID-19, the highest number this academic year.

Hochul urged all New Yorkers to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the virus.

"The vaccine is still our best weapon to defeat the virus and ensure we are safe from serious illness," the governor said. "Get the shot if you haven't yet and the booster if you have, mask up, and wash your hands."