COVID-19 Hospitalizations Surge on Long Island, Prompting Concerns for Fall

COVID-19 Hospitalizations on Long Island More Than Double in Past Month

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Long Island has more than doubled in the past month, reflecting a summerlong trend of a gradual but steady increase in cases across the region. While the current hospitalizations are still lower compared to the worst days of the pandemic, experts are closely monitoring the situation.

As of Friday, Long Island reported a total of 157 hospitalizations, compared to 447 a year ago and over 4,000 in April 2020. On July 14, there were 67 hospitalizations for COVID-19 on the island. Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of public health and epidemiology at Northwell Health, expressed concern about the rising numbers and the clusters of infections being observed.

The increase in hospitalizations can be attributed, in part, to new subvariants of the virus. The subvariants, known as EG. 5 and FL. 1.5.1, are descendants of the omicron variant. Experts believe these new variants are contributing to the rise in cases.

In addition to the subvariants, other factors are also playing a role in the increase. The summer heat wave has driven many people indoors into air-conditioned spaces, where they are potentially exposed to more individuals with COVID-19. Furthermore, many individuals have not received booster shots or have received them months ago, leaving them more vulnerable to severe illness.

Dr. Susan Donelan, medical director of health care epidemiology at Stony Brook Medicine, highlighted that a significant majority of the population has given up on mitigation measures such as masking. She emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and taking precautions, especially for vulnerable populations.

While a new booster shot tailored to the latest variants is on the way, it won’t be available for several weeks. Experts recommend waiting for the updated booster rather than getting the current one. Dr. Alan Bulbin, director of infectious disease at Catholic Health St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, described the current increase in hospitalizations and cases as a “swell” rather than a “surge,” noting that it is manageable at this point.

However, if the number of cases continues to grow, healthcare workers are better equipped to handle the situation compared to 2020. Bulbin advised individuals to consider their own health situations and take appropriate measures, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

Dr. Donelan emphasized that COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon and will likely be part of our living situation for the foreseeable future. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald urged New Yorkers to remember that COVID-19 is a treatable disease and encouraged individuals to get tested and seek treatment if they test positive.

As the summer comes to an end and people head back to school or office jobs, it is crucial to remain cautious and follow recommended guidelines to prevent further spread of the virus.

How do the new subvariants of the omicron variant, EG. 5 and FL. 1.5.1, contribute to the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the region

Recent data shows that COVID-19 hospitalizations on Long Island have more than doubled over the past month, signaling a steady increase in cases throughout the region. While current hospitalization numbers are still lower than the peak of the pandemic, experts are closely monitoring the situation.

On Friday, Long Island reported a total of 157 COVID-19 hospitalizations, compared to 447 at the same time last year and over 4,000 in April 2020. On July 14th, there were only 67 hospitalizations for the virus on the island. Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of public health and epidemiology at Northwell Health, expressed concern over the rising numbers and the presence of infection clusters.

The rise in hospitalizations can be attributed, at least in part, to the emergence of new subvariants of the virus. These subvariants, named EG. 5 and FL. 1.5.1, are descendants of the omicron variant. Experts believe that these new variants are contributing to the increase in cases.

It is important to note that while the number of hospitalizations has increased, the severity of cases may not be as severe as during previous surges. Vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization, and the majority of recent cases have been among unvaccinated individuals.

Other factors, such as the relaxation of restrictions, increased social gatherings, and a slowdown in vaccination rates, may also be contributing to the rise in cases. As the situation evolves, health officials are urging individuals to continue practicing preventive measures such as vaccination, mask-wearing, and social distancing to help curb the spread of the virus.