Fast Lab 
Almost two years since Covid-19 emerged, countries and individuals are beginning to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Institutional and community responses have significantly improved as people have adjusted to life in a world with the virus — restrictions are beginning to loosen up, medical know-how is making great strides forward, and people are easing back into their daily lives.
New York City residents were among some of the hardest hit by the virus. Both big and small commercial establishments had to halt operations, people had to relocate away from the city, or otherwise have had their livelihoods affected.
This is how things are currently looking in terms of Covid-19 in the Big Apple:
- There is a current average of 3,453 cases per day as of October 28, 2021. That represents a 24% decrease in the previous fourteen days. 2.1% of all COVID-19 tests in the State of New York come back as positive. In terms of hospitalization, there has been no change in the amount of cases that require patients to stay in the ICU.
- Over 26.3 million vaccine doses have been administered in the State of New York. 83.8% of New Yorkers over the age of 18 have received at least one vaccine dose, while 76.2% have completed their vaccine series.
- Vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 have also been announced as very likely to start this November. As of October 21, 2021, children under the age of 18 have represented about 25% of the weekly cases reported. With the final stamp of federal health officials, children in New York can soon get inoculated against the coronavirus with the approved Pfizer vaccine.
- The State of New York has introduced a vaccine mandate for all public employees with no test-out option. Employees covered by the mandate had until 5pm on Friday, October 29 to show proof that they had been inoculated with at least one vaccination against the coronavirus. Government officials have revealed that they are expecting shortages in manpower, but are prepared to cover these.
- Moderna and Johnson&Johnson booster shots will soon be available to the New York general public as options for booster shots. Pfizer is the vaccine brand currently available to New Yorkers aged 18 to 65 as of September 2021. As the winter grows nearer, residents of the state can expect an expansion in the booster shot options available to them.
