Because the four-year anniversary nears since a novel coronavirus originating in China arrived in New York, the illness it causes — COVID-19 — continues to contaminate Lengthy Islanders, though charges have continued to slowly fall since Christmas. The most recent variant, JN.1, is just like its more moderen cousins and has not led to a spike in severe sickness.
Right here’s the newest in regards to the virus.
How many individuals are being hospitalized on Lengthy Island with COVID-19?
As of Jan. 26, there have been 450 sufferers hospitalized, which quantities to fifteen.85 per 100,000, in keeping with the New York State Division of Well being’s COVID-19 tracker. The speed had been rising since mid-November, with about 200 sufferers a day and 6.48 per 100,000, showing to peak round early January, with about 650 sufferers and 23 per 100,000.
At St. Francis Hospital in Flower Hill, charges of COVID-19 hospitalization are trending down — however not by a lot, in keeping with Dr. Alan Bulbin, director of infectious illness.
“Possibly it’s diminished a bit bit, however sadly, nonetheless appears somewhat widespread and prevalent, nonetheless requiring quite a lot of admissions every day,” Bulbin mentioned. “So, perhaps flattening to some extent, however nonetheless regarding within the total quantity.”
He mentioned the hospital nonetheless will get a number of admissions per day for COVID-19, a quantity that excludes those that come for therapy on the emergency room or as outpatients.
Sean Clouston, a professor and epidemiologist at Stony Brook College, mentioned total hospitalization charges peaked proper after Christmas however have slowly dropped ever since.
“They’re typically on the decline,” he mentioned.
The figures are for these hospitalized due to COVID-19, not for sufferers handled within the emergency room for one thing separate however who additionally occur to be optimistic. Hospitals, he mentioned, are typically not performing COVID-19 exams absent signs.
What’s the newest variant of COVID-19?
It’s referred to as JN.1, and is a variant of SARS-CoV-2. It is at the moment the most generally circulating variant in each the USA and globally, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. (JN.1 was first detected in the USA within the fall.) Clouston mentioned that previously, instances had seen a fast drop-off after Christmas. However with this variant, it’s plateaued, or extra slowly dropped off. “It’s sort of lingering extra,” Clouston mentioned of latest instances.
And what number of COVID-19 instances are in Nassau and Suffolk counties?
As of Jan. 26, 551 individuals examined optimistic — 19.4 instances per 100,000, with 26.9 instances per 100,000 on the seven-day common, in keeping with the well being division. On Nov. 16, there have been 339 individuals who examined optimistic, 11.9 instances per 100,000 and 11.4 instances per 100,000 on the seven-day common. On Jan. 2, there have been 2,096 optimistic individuals, 73.8 instances per 100,000 and 54.1 per 100,000 on the seven-day common.
Bulbin mentioned the JN.1 variant hasn’t led to total extra severe illness.
“It’s mainly just like its prior Omicron cousins who predated it,” he mentioned. “So, if any excellent news, it’s not resulting in any extra extreme illness.”
What ought to somebody do who’s involved about COVID and needs to take precautions?
Particularly if an individual is older than 65, immunocompromised, has underlying medical issues or some mixture: Keep present on vaccines, and contemplate avoiding crowds and group gatherings, Bulbin mentioned.