Daily NYC Coronavirus Positive Rate Ticks Above 3%: De Blasio

NEW YORK CITY — Nine coronavirus clusters scattered across Brooklyn and Queens have driven the city's daily positive test rate above 3 percent for the first time in months, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

De Blasio outlined the troubling development on Tuesday, the first day of in-person class for thousands of New York City students. He said the city's seven-day infection average stands at 1.34 percent, below the three-day threshold the city set for closing schools again.

But he expressed concerns over the rising rates and announced a new mask enforcement measure and potential shutdowns for private schools and day cares that don't follow city health department rules on COVID-19.

"For the first time in months, you're going to see a daily number over 3 percent," he said. "Obviously, everyone is concerned about that. That is something we all have to work on together to address and something that says to us we have to be on high alert to make sure we fight back this challenge."

Growing coronavirus numbers in Brooklyn and Queens have prompted concerns not only from the city, but also Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who highlighted how the daily positive rate reached as high as 17 percent in those areas.

The city's ZIP codes of "concern" and latest positive rates on a 14-day average are:

• Gravesend/Homecrest [11223] (6.72 percent)
• Midwood [11230] (5.53 percent)
• Kew Gardens [11415] (3.61 percent)
• Edgemere/Far Rockaway [11691] (3.98 percent)
• Borough Park [11219] (5.26 percent)
• Bensonhurst/Mapleton [11204] (5.15 percent)
• Gerritsen Beach/Homecrest/Sheepshead Bay [11229] (4.05 percent)
• Flatlands/Midwood [11210] (4.08 percent)
• Kew Gardens Hills/Pomonok [11367] (3.04 percent)

De Blasio said the city will start fining New Yorkers who refused to wear masks after being offered one.

Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi said private schools and day cares in those now-nine ZIP codes will have to follow health department protocols. Those include maintaining at least six feet of distance, wearing face coverings in school buildings at all times and coordination with health department on investigations.

"Any school found to be out of compliance will be issued a violation," he said.

De Blasio said health officials are reaching out to the communities, which have large Orthodox Jewish populations. He said the city will amp up testing and other outreach.

"It is a situation at this point that is very serious and all options are on the table," he said.