MAYOR DE BLASIO UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON CITY’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

New Yorkers should text COVID to 692-692 to get regular updates on the latest developments with COVID-19

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today updated New Yorkers on the City's response efforts regarding COVID-19. There are now 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York City.

“As New York City continues to see more cases of community transmission, I am reminding New Yorkers to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect themselves," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We are continuing to do everything in our power to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy, and are asking our federal partners to help us increase testing capacity so we can get the job done faster."

Over 20,000 New Yorkers have signed up for COVID, the City’s text notification system. To get regular updates on the latest developments with coronavirus in New York City text COVID to 692-692. You will receive regular SMS texts with the latest news and developments.

DCWP has declared facemasks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes temporarily in short supply to prevent stores from overcharging New Yorkers. The declaration makes it temporarily illegal to drastically increase prices. Stores found to be overcharging consumers will be issued a violation with a fine up to $500 per item. New Yorkers DCWP encourages consumers who feel they were overcharged to file a complaint at nyc.gov/dcwp or by contacting 311.

The Department of Health will expand translations of outreach materials into 7 additional languages to include Vietnamese, Hindi, Tagalog, Nepali, Punjabi, Hebrew, and Greek.  DOHMH is working alongside MOIA and NYCEM to ensure up to date guidance reach all New Yorkers in the languages that they speak. This expansion will allow outreach materials to reach over 93% of New Yorkers with Limited English Proficiency.

Given the high risk COVID-19 poses to seniors, a coordinated task force of representatives from DOHMH, DFTA, NYCHA, HPD, HDC, NYCEM, and PEU are having daily meetings regarding the City's elderly population. DFTA will immediately visit over 600 senior facilities to survey compliance with proper hygiene protocols and procedures. Additionally, DFTA staff will distribute literature and signage to DFTA Senior Centers with facts about COVID-19 and the proper precautionary measures to take. 

New Yorkers should continue to exercise basic precautions while going about their lives: wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. If you have any questions on finding medical care call 311. To get regular updates on the latest developments with coronavirus in New York City text COVID to 692-692. You will receive regular SMS texts with the latest news and developments.

Currently, 24 New York City residents are under mandatory quarantine and 2,019 are under voluntary home isolation. Those under mandatory quarantine receive daily calls and twice weekly unannounced visits by DOHMH. Upon identification, all individuals under voluntary home isolation will receive calls and texts with information and reminders to call a doctor or DOHMH if they feel sick or develop symptoms, such as fever and cough or shortness of breath.