NEW YORK.- Governor Kathy Hochul presented a series of measures to keep New Yorkers protected against Covid-19 due to the emergence of a new variant, called BA.2.86, and the increase in hospitalizations during the summer season.
These actions include extensive monitoring by the Wadsworth Laboratory and the promotion of safety measures in schools and nursing homes.
The world-renowned Wadsworth Laboratory is closely monitoring samples of the new BA.2.86 variant, which has yet to be detected in New York state.
Governor Hochul stressed the importance of continued surveillance and collaboration with experts to understand the spread of these variants and their potential impact on public health.
In response to reports of this new variant, Hochul announced the availability of N-95 masks statewide upon request, with the goal of providing greater protection for New Yorkers.
Additionally, he reminded nursing home providers of their responsibility to keep residents protected and reduce transmission among vulnerable populations.
New York maintains epidemiological surveillance
The New York State Department of Health continues to monitor and test samples for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, in collaboration with the Wadsworth Center.
Strategies such as wastewater surveillance and clinical laboratory analysis have been instrumental in understanding the spread of variants and their impact on public health.
In this context, the BA.2.86 variant has been identified, and the Wadsworth Center has intensified early detection efforts.
Next arrival of new vaccines
Governor Hochul stressed the importance of staying abreast of updates on Covid-19 vaccination.
In September 2023, major vaccine manufacturers are expected to launch a new shot targeted to protect against certain Omicron variants.
The administration encouraged New Yorkers to check the websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health for up-to-date information on vaccine administration.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald stressed the importance of early testing and treatment in case of infection.
In addition, he recommended following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, especially in school settings.
In line with this, schools were urged to promote vaccination and testing, encourage students and staff to stay home in case of symptoms, optimize indoor air quality, and reinforce hygiene and handwashing practices.
New Yorkers were reminded that home tests are available at local pharmacies and that high-quality N-95 masks and test kits continue to be provided upon request.
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Francisco España, a 60-year-old covid-19 patient, looks out over the Mediterranean Sea in the coastal city of Barcelona. After almost two months of being sedated and connected to intravenous lines in the intensive care unit of the Hospital del Mar, Spain was able to have a few minutes to fill his ailing lungs with fresh air.
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
2/9
Lying in a hospital bed on the city’s waterfront and accompanied by a doctor and three nurses who constantly monitored his vital signs, España briefly closed his eyes and soaked up as much sunlight as possible. “It’s one of the best days that I remember,” he told the AP agency.
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
3/9
The medical team at Hospital del Mar, located off the coast in Barcelona, is seeing if short trips to the beach can help Covid-19 patients after long and traumatic stays in intensive care units.
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
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4/9
“The Paco we said goodbye to was in very bad shape. He couldn’t speak and he could barely breathe, he was drowning,” said Xavi Matute, an old friend who was with Spain when an ambulance brought him to the hospital.
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5/9
For Spain the trip to the beach was a good sign. “Let’s see if they’ll let me have a beer in the hospital cafeteria now,” she joked before he was wheeled back to the intensive care unit.
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
6/9
Judith Marín, a doctor at the hospital, says the trip from Spain to the beach is part of a program to “humanize” intensive care units that the group had been experimenting with for two years, long before the coronavirus hit Spain. .
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
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7/9
In April, the hospital had to expand its capacity to deal with the pandemic. “Suddenly we were slipping back into old habits of keeping family members away from loved ones. And it is very difficult to transmit bad news through a phone call”. In the photograph, Spain in the Intensive Care Unit.
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
8/9
Since the program was restarted in early June, doctors have said that even 10 minutes on the beach seems to improve a patient’s well-being. The team wants to take this experience further and see if outdoor walks can help in the medium and long-term recovery of covid-19 patients.
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
9/9
The country managed to lower its infection curve with a strict three-month lockdown that ended on June 21. But now Spain is leading Europe’s new wave of infections, with a rise that has brought the total number of cases to nearly half a million. At least 29,400 people have died. See here our updated map of the coronavirus: figures for reported cases, deaths and recoveries
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
2023-08-29 23:30:00
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