New York City’s health commissioner who’s appeared in ads promoting COVID vaccines tests positive for coronavirus
- NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi, 39, says he was recently tested, received a positive diagnosis, and has mild symptoms
- Chokshi was named commissioner last August after Mayor Bill de Blasio clashed with his predecessor
- Chokshi has appeared in scores of public service announcements urging New Yorkers to wear masks and practice social distancing
- More recently, Chokshi has led the city’s efforts in promoting the newly developed COVID vaccines
New York City’s health commissioner announced on Wednesday he has been infected with the coronavirus.
Dr. Dave Chokshi, 39, says he was recently tested, received a positive diagnosis, and has mild symptoms.
He was named New York City health commissioner last August after Mayor Bill de Blasio clashed with previous commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. Chokshi previously served in the Louisiana Department of Health during Hurricane Katrina.
Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi, 39, says he was recently tested, received a positive diagnosis, and has mild symptoms. Chokshi is pictured at a COVID-19 vaccine hubs at the South Bronx Educational Campus on January 9
Chokshi released a statement announcing his diagnosis on Twitter on Wednesday
‘In New York City and across the country, COVID continues to circulate in our communities, and all of us are potentially exposed to the virus. A testament to this fact is that I recently got tested and received a positive diagnosis for COVID-19,” Chokshi said in a written statement.
“I now have mild symptoms, but they are manageable. I have been in touch with New York City’s Test and Trace Corps to ensure that anyone who was potentially exposed is offered services and care.’
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Chokshi has appeared in scores of public service announcements urging New Yorkers to follow coronavirus protocols for mask wearing and maintaining social distance.
In recent months, Chokshi has led the city’s efforts in promoting the newly developed COVID vaccines, but there is no record of him getting the jab.
As of Wednesday, the coronavirus has claimed more than 447,000 across the US, including 27,000 in New York City alone.
According to a press release announcing Chokshi’s appointment as a health commissioner last year, he was planning to keep seeing patients as a primary care physician at Bellevue Hospital.
Chokshi has appeared in scores of public service announcements urging New Yorkers to wear masks and practice social distancing
Chokshi is married to a public school teacher and lives with his wife and baby daughter in Queens. It is unknown whether his family members have contracted COVID as well.
Chokshi graduated from Duke University summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree before earning his master’s degree in global public health as a Rhodes scholar at the University of Oxford. He earned his medical degree with distinction from University of Pennsylvania, then did a clinical fellowship at Harvard Medical School.
He also served as a White House Fellow during the Obama Administration and was the principal health advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.