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COVID-19cases are rising once again in some major cities.
Although much of the country has seen a plateau in positive cases after the omicron variant surged through the U.S. late last year, cities like New York City and Washington D.C. have been seeing an alarming uptick in cases over the last few weeks – likely because of thehighly contagious BA.2 subvarianthitting the Northeast.
According to data fromtheNew York TimesCOVID tracker last updated on April 8, positive cases have increased 51 percent over the last two weeks in New York City, with an average of 1,572 cases reported per day. While cases have noticeably increased, the death rate for the city has fallen 53 percent, as well as hospitalizations, which have fallen 17 percent.
The state of New York itself is also seeing a rise in cases,reporting a 58 percent increasefrom the average two weeks ago, but has seen a 7 percent decrease in deaths.
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On March 22,Hillary Clintonrevealed shehad tested positive for COVID, writing in a tweet, “I’ve got some mild cold symptoms but am feeling fine. I’m more grateful than ever for the protection vaccines can provide against serious illness. Please get vaccinated and boosted if you haven’t already!”
The same day, White House Press SecretaryJen Psakirevealed she had alsotested positive for COVIDafter meeting with PresidentJoe Bidenahead of their trip to Europe.
On Thursday, Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi also sharedher positive diagnosis.
“After testing negative this week, Speaker Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic,” her spokesman, Drew Hammill,wroteon Twitter. “The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided.”
“The Speaker will quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly,” Hammill continued.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
