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New
York City COVID-19 Updates
NYC is currently experiencing an increase in
COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates, which is driven by the highly
contagious Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. There has been a high level
of cases in the City since April, with little reprieve, due to a series of
back-to-back surges caused by the Omicron BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and now the
BA.4/BA.5 subvariants. As a result of the high case and increasing hospitalization
rates, the City is at a “High” Alert Level, as per the CDC Alert Level
system.
On July 14, 8,098 people tested positive for
COVID-19 in NYS and 4,760 individuals tested positive in NYC. The statewide
7-day average of cases per 100K was 36.84. The highest 7-day average was 51.09
in NYC. According to NYS hospitalization data, as of July 14, there were 2,458
people hospitalized statewide due to COVID-19, with 237 individuals in the
ICU. In NYC, there were 1171 Coronavirus patients hospitalized, with 107
individuals in the ICU. As of July 12, the 7-day average of deaths in NYC,
confirmed and probable, was 6 (however, this figure may be based on
incomplete data).
According to NYS COVID-19 variant data, the
Omicron BA.1.1 sub-variant is causing 0% of cases, an unnamed variant is causing
3% of cases. BA.2 and BA.2.12 are causing 5% of cases, BA.2.12.1 is causing
27% of cases, BA.4 is causing 16% of cases, and BA.5 is causing 49% of
cases.
At the time of this email, the NYC COVID-19 Alert
System website has not been restored; we can still identify NYC’s current
Alert Level, however, as well as the corresponding safety measures we
should follow to help prevent contracting the Coronavirus and manage our
increasing rate of community transmission and hospitalization. The CDC
website indicates that all 5 boroughs are now at a “High” Alert
Level. The NYC Health Department previously issued the following list
of recommended actions to follow when NYC is at a “High” Alert Level:
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Stay up to date: get vaccinated and
boosted. Getting vaccinated and boosted is the
most effective safety measure we have to prevent severe illness,
hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, although it is important to reiterate
that staying up to date with vaccinations goes hand in hand with mask
wearing and other safety measures as part of the layered approach,
particularly when NYC is at a “High” Alert Level. Prevention is crucial vs.
relying on COVID-19 treatment; many New Yorkers are struggling with Long
COVID, and we still have much to learn about long-term impacts of the
Coronavirus on the heart and lungs. For maximum protection against COVID-19,
it is necessary to have received the initial vaccine series, as well as any
booster shots for which you are eligible. To date, 12.1% of NYC
residents are unvaccinated, 8.9% are partially vaccinated, and only 39.2%
have received an additional dose or a booster shot;
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Wear a face mask in all indoor public
settings and crowded outdoor spaces. Public
health experts describe BA.5 as being the most contagious COVID-19 variant
and more contagious than the measles. The risk for virus transmission is much
greater indoors, however, people are contracting the Coronavirus during
outdoor activities as well. Due to the high transmissibility of BA.4 and
BA.5, it is critical to wear a well-fitting high-quality mask, such as a
kf94, kn95, or n95. Your nose and mouth must be fully covered at all times
for effective protection. Masks are still required on public transportation,
in health care facilities, and in other congregate settings;
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Consider avoiding higher-risk activities
(such as crowded, indoor gatherings). This is a
critical time to carefully evaluate whether to attend small or large indoor
gatherings, as well as outdoor gatherings where people will be crowded
together or gathered in large numbers. When NYC is at a “High” Alert Level,
it is safest to avoid these settings, especially if you are at risk of
severe illness; however, if you participate in a higher-risk activity, the
following actions can help to reduce risk:
ü
Take a COVID-19 at-home rapid test
the day of the event before you leave home, but if you are experiencing
symptoms, stay home regardless of the test result;
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Wear a well-fitting, high-quality
mask during the activity, and limit removing it as much as possible;
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Keep some space between yourself and
others and go outside if possible; and
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Take a COVID-19 at-home rapid test,
or a PCR test 2 – 3 days after the event, if you develop symptoms, or if
you learn that you were exposed to someone with the Coronavirus at the event.
You can also take rapid tests again on days 3, 4, and 5, or if you develop
symptoms, to confirm that you do not have COVID-19. If you test positive, isolate
from others, inform anyone who might have been exposed, and speak to your
primary care provider about eligibility for COVID-19 treatment;
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Limit gatherings to small numbers.
Due to the high transmissibility of BA.4 and BA.5, this recommendation is
prudent to follow whether gatherings are indoors or outdoors. Smaller
numbers allow people to keep more space between themselves and others, and
reduces the risk of transmission. Even with smaller numbers, it is a good
idea to ask attendees to take an at-home rapid test become coming;
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Get tested if you have symptoms or
were exposed, recently traveled, or attended a large gathering.
When NYC is under a “High” Alert Level, testing is a particularly important
safety measure to help break the chain of community transmission and to
protect those who are vulnerable, including older adults, people who are
unvaccinated, people who are immunocompromised, pregnant people, and children.
The City has community PCR testing sites, and you can get free at-home
tests from the City and federal government. If you test positive, speak
with your primary health care provider about eligibility for COVID-19
treatment (more information is provided below);
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Stay home if sick or recently
exposed. This is a particularly tricky time
of year because COVID-19 symptoms can initially resemble cold or allergy symptoms.
Before the pandemic, most of us were used to going to work and school, and
to participating in social activities when we had a cold or allergies, and
even when we felt sick. The pandemic has provided a different perspective
on the importance of staying home when feeling unwell or when exposed. Our
hospitalization and fatality rates are significantly lower now thanks to
the COVID-19 vaccines; however, we still have the potential to spread the
virus to others, which results in prolonging the pandemic.
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Keep hands clean.
We learned over time that COVID-19 is an airborne virus, however, that does
not make hand washing obsolete. Frequent hand washing promotes good hygiene
and helps to prevent spread that could happen if, for example, you touch something
that has the virus on it and then touch your eyes.
I understand that many New Yorkers are so tired
of dealing with this public health emergency and just want to resume
pre-pandemic life. I can relate to that feeling. But at this stage of the
pandemic, people are still getting Long COVID, being hospitalized, and
dying. If we stop using COVID-19 safety measures, particularly when at a “High”
Alert Level, even more people will become sick, additional variants will
develop, and the pandemic will last even longer.
The NYC COVID-19 Alert System is a valuable tool
because it provides a system of parameters for increasing and relaxing use
of safety measures as appropriate, which helps us break the chain of community
transmission, shorten the duration of surges, reduce the number of new
variants, and ultimately move us towards transitioning out of pandemic
status sooner than we would otherwise.
As a friendly reminder, the following individuals
are currently eligible for a second Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 booster
shot, if they received their first booster shot at least 4 months ago:
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All people age 50+
Ø People
age 12-49 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
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People age 18-49 who received their
initial vaccination series and first booster shot with the Johnson &
Johnson vaccine.
I am aware that some New Yorkers are wondering
whether to get their second booster shot now or wait until the fall, when
it is anticipated that we will have updated boosters that are better
matched to the Omicron BA.5 subvariant. The NYC Health Department and other
public health experts advise that if you are eligible, you should get the second
booster shot now; you will also be able to get the updated COVID-19 booster
shot once it is available and you are eligible. For additional details, please
see the following UCHealth article.
·
July 12:
Mayor
Adams Further Expands City's Network of At-Home Test Distribution Sites to
NYC Parks, Bolstering NYC's COVID-19 Preparedness and Protecting New
Yorkers
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