Nearly 4 years in, the latest on Long Islanders and COVID-19 – Newsday

As the four-year anniversary approaches since a novel coronavirus originating in China arrived in New York, the disease it causes COVID-19 continues to infect Long Islanders, although rates have continued to slowly fall since Christmas. The latest variant,JN.1, is similar to its more recent cousins and has not led to a spike in serious illness.

Heres the latest about the virus.

As of Jan. 26, there were 450 patients hospitalized, which amounts to 15.85 per 100,000, according to the New York State Department of Healths COVID-19 tracker. The rate had been rising since mid-November, with about 200 patients a day and 6.48 per 100,000, appearing to peak around early January, with about 650 patients and 23 per 100,000.

At St. Francis Hospital in Flower Hill, rates of COVID-19 hospitalization are trending down but not by much, according to Dr. Alan Bulbin, director of infectious disease.

Maybe its diminished a little bit, but unfortunately, still seems rather widespread and prevalent, still requiring a number of admissions daily, Bulbin said. So, maybe flattening to some degree, but still concerning in the overall number.

He said the hospital still gets several admissions per day for COVID-19, a number that excludes those who come for treatment at the emergency room or as outpatients.

Sean Clouston, a professor and epidemiologist at Stony Brook University, said overall hospitalization rates peaked right after Christmas but have slowly dropped ever since.

Theyre generally on the decline, he said.

The figures are for those hospitalized because of COVID-19, notfor patientstreated in the emergency room for something separate but who alsohappen to be positive. Hospitals, he said, are generally no longer performing COVID-19 tests absent symptoms.

Its called JN.1, and isa variant of SARS-CoV-2. It's currently themost widely circulating variant in both the United States and globally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (JN.1 was first detected in the United Statesin the fall.) Clouston said that in the past, cases had seen a quick drop-off after Christmas. But with this variant, its plateaued, or more slowly dropped off. Its kind of lingering more, Clouston said of new cases.

As of Jan. 26, 551 people tested positive 19.4 cases per 100,000, with 26.9 cases per 100,000 on the seven-day average, according to the health department. On Nov. 16, there were 339 people who tested positive, 11.9 cases per 100,000 and 11.4 cases per 100,000 on theseven-day average. On Jan. 2, there were 2,096 positive people, 73.8 cases per 100,000 and 54.1 per 100,000 on the seven-day average.

Bulbin said the JN.1 variant hasnt led to overall more serious disease.

Its basically similar to its prior omicron cousins who predated it, he said. So, if any good news, its not leading to any more severe disease.

Especially if a person is older than 65, immunocompromised, has underlying medical problems or some combination: Stay current on vaccines, and consider avoiding crowds and group gatherings, Bulbin said.

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.

Here is the original post:

Nearly 4 years in, the latest on Long Islanders and COVID-19 - Newsday