11K NYers Self-Isolated In Hotels Under City Coronavirus Program

New York City NY

23 February, 2021

2:22 PM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — A city-run program to help New Yorkers with the coronavirus safely isolate in hotel rooms hit a milestone. More than 11,000 people have quarantined in free hotel rooms under the Take Care initiative, health officials said. "They know they're safe, they're getting the help they need, they know their families are safe," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday. The Take Care program is overall the nation's largest isolation and quarantine program. The people who took advantage of free hotel stays received access to medical support, three meals, free wi-fi and other services. They ultimately are just a fraction of the city's more than 700,000 COVID-19 cases, but the program offers more services. More than 192,000 people received referrals for food and medicine delivery, mental health support, paid sick leave and other supports under the program, officials said. New Yorkers who have tested positive for COVID-19 or were in close contact of a case are eligible to receive services through the Take Care program. People with COVID-19 symptoms or think they have been exposed are urged to call the Test & Trace Corps hotline at 212-COVID19 for support or visit nyc.gov/takecare.