Prospect Heights' COVID Rate Is Nearly Double NYC's As Cases Rise

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — A citywide rise in coronavirus fueled by the latest subvariant has brought Prospect Heights' positivity to almost double that of New York City's, data shows.

Seven-day positivity in Prospect Heights' 11238 ZIP code stood at 8.33 percent at the end of last week, nearly twice the 4.8-percent citywide rate, according to health data.

The rate in Prospect Heights is among the highest out of the city's 145 ZIP codes, though nearby Crown Heights ZIP codes have managed to stay relatively low. Crown Heights ZIP codes' positivity rates ranged from 4.38 to 7.2 percent as of Saturday, according to the data.

The rising cases come as New York City inches from a "low-risk" to "medium risk" coronavirus status, which is determined by a new color-coded alert level system. Health officials have predicted the city will reach the "medium risk" category by early next week.

The steady increase — which is fueled by the even-more-contagious BA.2 subvariant of omicron — could mean new restrictions, though so far both city and state officials have held off on putting mask mandates or other guidelines in place.

Mayor Eric Adams said Monday that New Yorkers are advised to wear a mask in indoor public settings, but that rates have not yet reached the level needed for a full mandate.

Read More: NYC COVID Cases Inch Higher As 'Medium Risk' Status Looms

The latest surge is far from the winter spike caused by the omicron variant, when infections rose to a staggering 50,000 in a single day. Total daily cases had dropped to under 400 several days in February and stand around 2,200 now, data shows.

Here's a look at where positivity rates stand in Crown and Prospect Heights:

• 11216: Bedford-Stuyvesant (West)/Crown Heights (West)
  • 7-day percent positive: 7.2%
  • People tested (reported to date): 1,916
  • New people positive (reported to date): 138
• 11233: Bedford-Stuyvesant (East)/Ocean Hill-Brownsville
• 7-day percent positive: 4.38%
• People tested (reported to date): 1,712
• New people positive (reported to date): 75
• 11213: Crown Heights (East)
  • 7-day percent positive: 4.61%
  • People tested (reported to date): 1,539
  • New people positive (reported to date): 71
• 11225: Crown Heights West/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
  • 7-day percent positive: 6.66%
  • People tested (reported to date): 1,381
  • New people positive (reported to date): 92
• 11238: Clinton Hill/Prospect Heights
  • 7-day percent positive: 8.33%
  • People tested (reported to date): 1,884
  • New people positive (reported to date): 157