Hell's Kitchen Coronavirus Rates Fall Amid Citywide Drop

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — After peaking in mid-January, coronavirus rates have fallen in Hell's Kitchen amid a citywide drop in cases in recent weeks, city data shows.

In all three Hell's Kitchen ZIP codes, the percentages of COVID-19 tests coming back positive have declined since last month, when all three recorded their highest-ever positivity rates.

The city, too, posted its highest-ever positivity rates in January, which were attributed to increased travel and indoor gatherings during the holidays. Citywide rates have dipped since then, as they have nationwide — likely due to more mask-wearing, social distancing, and the arrival of the vaccine, the New York Times reported Monday.

Here is the seven-day COVID-19 testing data in Hell's Kitchen between Feb. 13 and Feb. 19:

• 10018: 544 people tested, 10 positive cases, 1.84 percent positivity
• 10019: 1,736 people tested, 57 positive cases, 3.28 percent positivity
• 10036: 973 people tested, 31 positive cases, 3.19 percent positivity

By contrast, during the week that ended Jan. 23, positivity rates in 10018, 10019 and 10036 stood at 5.78, 5.24 and 5.79, respectively. Still, positivity rates in Hell's Kitchen and across New York remain higher than they were last fall, before the holiday surge.

Declining virus rates in New York have prompted Gov. Andrew Cuomo to loosen some restrictions, including those on indoor dining, which reopened Feb. 12 at 25 percent capacity and will increase to 35 percent on Friday.

That move was hailed by the restaurant industry, but has been questioned by others who point out that the city's virus rates remain higher than they were when indoor dining was suspended in December.

Meanwhile, leaders hope that the city's vaccination campaign will help further tamp down the coronavirus. Here are the latest vaccine numbers in Hell's Kitchen, as of Monday:

10018:

• Adults partially vaccinated: 315
• Percentage of adults partially vaccinated: 3 percent
• Adults fully vaccinated: 397
• Percentage of adults fully vaccinated: 4 percent
• Neighborhood adult population: 11,074

10019:

• Adults partially vaccinated: 2,270
• Percentage of adults partially vaccinated: 6 percent
• Adults fully vaccinated: 3,220
• Percentage of adults fully vaccinated: 8 percent
• Neighborhood adult population: 40,079

10036:

• Adults partially vaccinated: 1,365
• Percentage of adults partially vaccinated: 5 percent
• Adults fully vaccinated: 2,330
• Percentage of adults fully vaccinated: 9 percent
• Neighborhood adult population: 25,289