The rising number of COVID-19 patients in New York hospitals suggests this summer’s wave of infections could be worse than last year’s as new variants spread across the country.
According to the most recent statewide data, as of late June, emergency department visits due to COVID-19 were averaging 181 per week, with hospitalizations totaling about 750. In comparison, as of last summer, key hospital indicators for COVID-19 were 80 visits and 410 hospitalizations.
Wastewater monitoring also identified high COVID detections in parts of Monroe, Westchester and Rockland counties, highlighting the virus’s widespread presence in those areas, but those levels were below the highest levels found primarily in Buffalo, New York City and parts of Long Island.
Which COVID variants are spreading in New York?
The cases are being driven by a consistent rise in a set of subvariants called FLiRT, named after the technical name for the mutation, which the CDC reports is derived from the Omicron-derived JN.1 variant and dominated cases until the spring. Nowcast A rough estimate of variants in circulation.
According to state data, the most widespread variants in New York state over the past month included KP (40%) and JN.1 (22%), but LB.1, the fastest-spreading variant in the nation, has begun to be detected in New York state wastewater, signaling the possibility of further infections.
How does this summer’s COVID-19 outbreak compare to previous outbreaks in New York?
COVID-19 cases are now higher than they were last summer but remain below summer levels early in the pandemic, when the worst summer peak of 2022 saw about 2,800 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, according to state data.
Moreover, experts said the seasonal rise and fall in COVID-19 cases — with peak infection rates in the fall and winter — underscores the fact that the virus can become endemic and entrenched, similar to seasonal influenza, which kills up to 51,000 people a year nationwide.
Will COVID-19 quarantines still be necessary in 2024?
The citizens of New York At least 24 hours People should seek medical attention once their fever has gone away and their symptoms have improved overall, according to updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This is a change from previous guidelines which recommended a minimum five-day isolation period for COVID-19.
USA TODAY’s Eduardo Cuevas and Emily DeLetter contributed reporting..
