How COVID-19 is impacting the city’s holiday enjoyment

NEW YORK — The winter season wave of new COVID-19 situations, predominantly the omicron variant, is gripping New York.

“Omicron is a real challenge,” Mayor Monthly bill de Blasio stated at his news briefing Monday. “It is really heading to be a very tough handful of weeks.”

In the metropolis, a lot more people are acquiring analyzed — and testing optimistic. There were being 5,342 new circumstances on Dec. 18, in accordance to the seven-day common — a 7.6% positivity amount.

Meanwhile, there were being 193 healthcare facility admissions for COVID-19-like illness, with 68 people today (35%) tests positive.

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What You Want To Know

• There had been 5,342 new instances in the town on Dec. 18, according to the seven-day ordinary — a 7.6% positivity fee
• Broadway displays like “Hamilton” and “Aladdin” are canceling performances because of breakthrough COVID-19 conditions
• Mayor de Blasio reported he’ll determine this 7 days regardless of whether to adjust protocol for the New Year’s Eve celebration at Periods Sq.

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The improve in scenarios is presently influencing a COVID-19-weary metropolis.

The prepare to deliver back again the New Year’s Eve celebration in Instances Square for vaccinated revelers may have to have to change, with a determination from de Blasio expected this 7 days, right before Xmas.

“Folks who are arranging on being there, be completely ready to,” de Blasio said, “but if we have to modify all those strategies in a way, we are certainly likely to permit people today know that in just the up coming couple days.”

“The celebration goes on. We are scheduling and we’ll be in a position to pivot if essential,” said Tom Harris, president of the Periods Square Alliance, which organizes the New Year’s Eve function.

And some of the most popular Broadway demonstrates, which need evidence of vaccination and masks, have been compelled to cancel performances by means of Xmas simply because of breakthrough COVID-19 instances.

“Hamilton” is on hiatus till Dec. 26 “Ain’t Much too Happy,” the Temptations musical, is suspended as a result of Dec. 28 “Aladdin” is canceled this week, resuming on Dec. 26 “Jagged Very little Tablet,” the Alanis Morissette musical, is shut down for fantastic.

“It’s difficult with the cancellations up and down, but men and women want to see theater, which is the detail,” said Nick Barnes, a Broadway promoter. “If they can, that’s a different dilemma, but persons want to see demonstrates.”

However, at Madison Square Yard in the evening, the COVID-19 spike failed to preserve Billy Joel admirers from seeing the Piano Male return to the venue, exactly where evidence of vaccines had been required but not masks.

“Me and my daughter are both of those absolutely vaccinated, we’re gonna put on masks, we’re gonna be protected. We experience fairly snug,” concertgoer Mark Ellis reported.

“I have grew up with Billy Joel, it’s been performed in the motor vehicle since I was little,” concertgoer Charles Ryan explained. “This is like a once-in-a-life time possibility. I’m not gonna pass up this.”

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