Park Slope COVID-19 Rates Inch Upwards Amid Delta's Spread

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — After weeks of record-low COVID cases, Park Slope's coronavirus rates have started to rise again in recent weeks, part of a citywide trend that health officials have attributed to the spread of the more contagious Delta variant.

Since the week that ended on July 18, the percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive has been above 1.17 percent in both of Park Slope's ZIP codes. Since the start of June, by comparison, rates were well below 1 percent positive in the entire neighborhood, including rates as low as 0.56 percent in northern Park Slope.

This recent uptick in COVID cases follows a citywide trend, which is most visible in the city's least vaccinated neighborhoods, though some well-vaccinated neighborhoods, like Park Slope, are seeing a slight uptick in COVID cases, too.

"The spread of the Delta variant means that it is perhaps the most dangerous time to be unvaccinated," Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said last week. "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."

Officials have noted that coronavirus positivity rates might be skewed higher given the lower number of people seeking COVID tests. Hospitalization rates will likely become a more useful statistic as health officials continue tracking the virus, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

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In either case, officials are still encouraging vaccinations, particularly in light of a new study and citywide data showed that the city's vaccination campaign has prevented about 250K new coronavirus cases, 44,000 hospitalizations, and 8,300 COVID-related deaths this year.

According to the data, over 98 percent of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID-19 this year were in unvaccinated people.

By contrast, under 1.6 percent of COVID-related cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were in fully vaccinated people.

In Park Slope, both the neighborhood's ZIP codes have consistently had some of the highest vaccination rates in the borough and the city.

As of Thursday, more than 73 percent of adults and 64 percent of all ages had gotten at least their first dose in both 11215 and 11217, data shows.

By comparison, 58 percent of people citywide and 51 percent of people in Brooklyn have gotten their first dose. In neighborhoods with the highest rates, largely in Manhattan, 100 percent of people have gotten their first dose, the data shows.

In recent weeks, in an attempt to expand the city's vaccination campaign, city officials have opened in-home COVID vaccinations to all New Yorkers, and vaccines are still available at hundreds of citywide sites.

"The stakes are so high, and we simply cannot emphasize enough how urgent it is for New Yorkers to get vaccinated," said Dr. Chokshi last week.

Here's a look at where Park Slope's coronavirus rates stand:

• Gowanus/Park Slope/Windsor Terrace: 11215
  • 1.32%
• Boerum Hill/Park Slope: 11217
  • 1.17%

Patch reporters Kayla Levy and Nick Garber contributed to this report.