The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations are on the rise not only in New York City but across the state, as numbers reach those similar to May 2020 during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the state of New York, over 10,000 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, with more than 1,700 new admissions Tuesday.

Reports are showing that these numbers are mostly to do with the omicron variant, with almost 94% of cases currently being reported as the new variant. This Monday, 99 people lost their lives to COVID-19, and over 30,000 people in New York City tested positive.

However, state officials are currently working to combat not only the spread of the virus, but the long lines for testing of COVID-19. Councilmember Rafael Salamanca has helped to secure a new mobile testing site in Longwood to help get people tested faster.