In the midst of the Delta variant, COVID-19 cases in the city are going down, however, parts of the city are seeing a high number of cases.

The seven-day average of positive COVID-19 cases in New York City is 2.5%. The ten zip codes seeing the highest COVID cases in the city are on Rockaway Peninsula in Queens and several areas of Staten Island. Breezy Point on the Rockaway Peninsula has the city’s highest seven-day average of COVID cases at over 15%

Staten Island is the borough with the highest seven-day average of positive COVID cases at 3.3%. As of this week over 10.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the city.

On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new measures to combat the COVID-19 Delta variant, which now accounts for 97% over COVID-19 cases in New York City. The measures include a plan for mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated public and charter school employees and vaccination requirements for all staff at state-regulated facilities and congregate settings.

“Last year every community across the state came together in a profound way to say, ‘We can do this’,” Hochul said. “This war is not over and the Delta variant is a serious threat, especially for people who are still unvaccinated. We all need to remain vigilant to protect each other––and that means coming in to get your shot and booster shot, wearing masks in indoor spaces, and exercising basic safety measures that we are all familiar with by now.”

During his daily press briefing on Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that small businesses can join the vaccine effort by hosting events where the vaccine can be administered.

Last weekend, Melba’s restaurant in Harlem hosted a vaccination pop-up site. A mobile vaccine unit was used and health experts were brought in to answer questions. De Blasio wants to see similar pop-up sites at other small businesses.

“We welcome barbershops and beauty salons. We welcome restaurants. We welcome bodegas,” the mayor said. “Anyone who wants to be a part of this, encouraging community members to come in and get vaccinated, we want those small businesses to benefit. We want to make sure that the individuals from the community come in and get back safe first and foremost, we want them to benefit from it, but we want the small businesses to benefit as well.”

As the city moves forward with its “Key to NYC Program,” enforcement for the vaccine verification program is set to begin in two weeks on Sept. 13. The program requires proof of vaccination in order to get to entertainment venues, restaurants and bars and gyms.

Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnell Dorris said that over 600 canvassers have been out in the field speaking with small businesses. On Tuesday, SBS implemented new industry-specific guidance to further help business owners with the indoor vaccine mandate. Weekly online training will take place every Wednesday.

“If you are a restaurant, you’ll be able to look and see exactly what you need to do If you are a gym, you’ll have specific help on how to put your plan in action. If you’re a movie theater, you’ll find out on how to keep the line moving. Or any business for that matter, we have specific guidance for you,” Dorris said.