Mayor Eric Adams tests positive for COVID-19 on 100th day in office
NEW YORK -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, his 100th day in office.
CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer confirmed the mayor's schedule for the day was canceled and he is isolating.
The mayor's office released the following statement:
This morning, Mayor Adams woke up with a raspy voice and, out of an abundance of caution, took a PCR test that has now come back positive.
At this time, the mayor has no other symptoms, but he is already isolating and will be cancelling all public events for the remainder of the week. He is also going to immediately begin taking anti-viral medications offered for free to New York City residents and encourages all New Yorkers eligible for these medications to take them as well.
While he is isolating, he will continue to serve New Yorkers by working remotely.
Adams tweeted Sunday evening, saying, "Thankfully, I'm vaccinated and boosted so symptoms are minimal."
While speaking on WBLS Radio on Sunday morning, Adams sounded hoarse and coughed at times.
Adams' illness comes after a whirlwind of appearances, including marking opening day at Yankee Stadium on Friday, kicking off the National Action Network convention Wednesday in Times Square and, last Saturday, attending the annual Gridiron Dinner in Washington.
The president of the nonprofit journalistic organization says 72 people who attended the dinner have since tested positive, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Guests were asked to show proof of vaccination, but a negative COVID test and masks were not required.
As CBS2's Lisa Rozner reports, COVID-19 cases are on the rise in New York City, likely from the BA.2 variant. The latest numbers in New York City show 3.3% testing positive on a seven-day average, slightly up from 2.67% last week.
"You essentially have this more contagious BA.2 subvariant that's circulating, and we're still amidst cooler and drier weather, so that can promote transmission," said Dr. Bruce Y. Lee, with the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health. "So we really need to be more proactive about COVID-19 precautions."
It's still not as high in terms of cases and hospitalizations as the surge the city saw over the winter, but still, four Broadway shows canceled performances in the last week due to positive cases among cast members.
Theatregoers on Sunday applauded the fact that Broadway is still requiring masks and proof of vaccination to attend shows.
"I feel incredibly safe. It's a good way to know we're all taking the same precautions," Harlem resident Curtis Thomas said.
In March, Mayor Adams lifted mask and vaccine requirements for other indoor venues, like gyms, movie theaters and restaurants.
"The one that I am unhappy about is the rollback of the vaccination requirement in restaurants," Chelsea resident Barbara Raab said.
For now, the city's health commissioner recommends wearing a face mask while inside all public indoor venues.
