'Record High' 20,000 People in a Day in New York State, USA

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the Omicron variant of the virus rapidly spreads in the United States, New York State has recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in history.

On the 17th (local time), according to Bloomberg News and others, New York State reported 21,027 new confirmed cases that day. This surpassed the previous record of 19,942 cases set in January.

As of that day, the COVID-19 test positivity rate in New York State was 7.98%. The number of hospitalized patients was around 3,800, double the level of early last month, but much lower than the early pandemic peak in April last year (19,000 patients).

The daily death toll was 60, the highest in recent times, but not close to the nearly 800 deaths recorded in April last year.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State issued a statement that day, saying, "The sharp increase in COVID-19 cases this winter reminds us that the pandemic is not over yet," and added, "We must take additional measures to keep ourselves and each other safe."

The surge in COVID-19 cases in New York State and the northeastern United States is analyzed to be the result of the simultaneous spread of the existing Delta variant and the new Omicron variant.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that the Omicron variant accounts for 13.1% of all confirmed cases in New York and New Jersey.

As of that day, the official number of confirmed Omicron cases in New York State was 250, but since it takes a long time to make a final determination on variant virus confirmation, the actual number is likely much higher.

Governor Hochul expressed concern in an interview with CNN, saying, "The number of confirmed Omicron variant cases is increasing exponentially," and urged vaccination and mask-wearing.

Due to many recent infections among performers, some famous Broadway musical performances such as "Hamilton," "Tina," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Moulin Rouge" were partially canceled, and the Christmas performance of the Radio City Music Hall "Rockettes" dance troupe in New York was also canceled that day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.