COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York surpassed 2,000 for the first time since late February on Tuesday, nearly tripling in just one month, as highly contagious subvariants of Omicron trigger caution from officials locally and nationally.
According to Governor Kathy Hochul’s latest update, 2,050 New Yorkers were hospitalized with COVID in all 10 regions of the state, a 145% increase from April 1 alone, though still well below the nearly 13,000 admitted during the peak of the pandemic. January variant.
The rate of COVID hospitalizations per 100,000 New Yorkers has more than doubled in the same period, from 4.54 to 9.58, state data shows. This with the Finger Lakes region driving the latest increases to a regional rate of 27.86 COVID hospitalizations per 100,000 residents on a rolling 7-day basis. And while only 48.6% of hospitalized COVID patients statewide were admitted for that reason, the numbers are worth tracking.
The proportion of COVID patients hospitalized in central New York, which drove the rise of COVID in New York a few weeks ago, is 65.2%, much higher than the state average, for example. At the time, health officials blamed the overall rise in infection on a higher-than-national-average prevalence of the omicron BA.2.12.1 and BA.2.12 subvariants.
The first subvariant, which is said to be up to 27% more contagious than the “inherently more transmissible” Omicron BA.2 subvariant, is now estimated to account for up to 70% of all viruses circulating in the CDC region. which includes New York, another week-over-week increase in prevalence.
By comparison, the high end of the CDC estimate for the national prevalence of BA.2.12.1 is 45%, and BA.2 is still believed to be driving the majority of cases across the United States. And the possible trickle-down effect in New York may already be playing out.
While the ongoing rate of COVID infection in central New York continues to level off or even decline, the state says, the other regions that saw sustained lower viral rates, including New York City and Long Island, are seeing increases. your core COVID metrics.
The five boroughs now have their highest COVID hospitalization rate per 100,000 residents since early March, and while it’s still fairly low (5.7 on a rolling basis), it could rise in the coming weeks if the infection rate continues to rise.
Earlier this week, city health officials raised the COVID alert level to medium (or yellow), as cases exceeded a rate of 200 per 100,000 people in all five boroughs. It was the first time the Health Department has adjusted that level since the new system debuted under Mayor Eric Adams earlier this year.
Two counties, Manhattan and Staten Island, are also now considered medium-risk COVID counties by the CDC. Of the 56 US counties with a high-risk CDC designation as of Wednesday, more than half are in New York state.
While there is no scientific evidence to date linking BA.2.12.1 to more severe COVID-related illness or reduced vaccine efficacy at this point, the increased transmissibility seems clear.
No new COVID protocols will be implemented (or re-implemented) at this time, but if the alert level reaches a high level, the highest of three set by health officials, the city will consider requiring mask wearing at all public spaces closed again.
For now, New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan says New Yorkers should exercise more caution than they have in recent weeks, and those who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID, for whatever reason, to consider avoiding crowds, indoor gatherings, and other higher-risk situations.
The city continues to recommend that all New Yorkers, vaccinated or not, wear a mask indoors in public places, as the highly contagious subvariants of Omicron continue to spread throughout the city, the state, and much of the world.
“The next few weeks will be critical in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and getting back to a low-risk level so we can more safely enjoy our spring,” Vasan said. “And remember, the steps you take to protect yourself also protect others, especially those most vulnerable. As a city, we have the tools we need to beat this virus. As New Yorkers, we are in this together. By incorporating these steps into our daily life, we can continue to take care of each other and ourselves.
The CDC also reiterated its travel mask advisory a day ago and cited current rates of COVID spread and projected trends in its decision-making process.
Learn more about NYC’s COVID alert level system here.
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