What you should know
- The Omicron subvariant BA.5 now accounts for approximately 82% of COVID cases in the CDC’s New York region. It is more than four times more resistant to the vaccine than its predecessor and has been linked to a higher risk of reinfection and progression cases and hospitalizations, state and national data show.
- The risk of reinfection has increased across the board in New York State, with Long Island reporting the highest reinfection rate (7.3 per 100K) over the past week, followed by New York City (6.9 per 100,000), according to state data.
- White House COVID Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha joined Governor Kathy Hochul for her first COVID briefing since April to discuss the challenge we face, which he said in no uncertain terms is BA.5 .
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NEW YORK – New York City and Long Island are experiencing their highest COVID reinfection rates in half a year, new state data shows, and while new case increases associated with this latest pandemic wave are slowing and hospitalizations are manageable, many in areas heavily affected by the BA.5 variant are once again worried about getting sick again.
The so-called "worst version" of Ómicron so far has proven to be more transmittable than its predecessors. It also appears to be at least 4.2 times more resistant to vaccines, with only one therapeutic antibody licensed for clinical use retaining its full potency against it and its sister strain BA.4, according to a recent Columbia University study.
Combined, those two variants account for at least 84% of all cases in New York City, city data shows, with BA.5 making up the majority (67%). Statewide, Health Department data puts the prevalence of the strains at about 76%, suggesting faster spread of those variants in denser counties compared to less populated regions.
So is it a coincidence that New York City and Long Island have the highest reinfection rates in the state? Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID response coordinator, would probably say no. He joined Gov. Kathy Hochul's first live COVID briefing in months to discuss BA.5, which he called "immunely evasive."
A new study revealed that the BA.5 omicron variant is more contagious and resistant to vaccines.
"People who got infected three months ago were seeing high levels of reinfections. People who have now had boosters for a while, who haven't had a vaccine in a while, we're now seeing a lot of advanced infections," he said.
As of Tuesday, Long Island and New York City are at their highest reinfection levels, (9.8 and 9.4 per 100,000, respectively), since the week beginning January 10. Those rates mark increases of 34% and 59% for Long Island and New York City since the state's previous reinfection update for the week beginning June 27. The two regions have the highest mobile case rates of any region in New York State by a substantial amount, at least 30% higher than the next closest region.
Both regions now, all seven counties between them, are firmly in the CDC's high-risk category for the spread of COVID. No new mask-wearing mandates have been implemented locally, but New York City health officials and even Dr. Anthony Fauci recommend wearing masks indoors, especially in public places, for everyone, regardless of status. vaccination at this time.
Luis Alejandro Medina reports on the latest with COVID-19 in New York City,
BA.5 is also the nationally dominant COVID strain, and its associated threats certainly transcend New York. That is why health officials at all levels of government are once again urging enhanced protections and reinforcements for those who have not yet received them. If she is over 50, hasn't had her booster dose, and wants to stay out of the hospital, Jha tells her to get hers now.
A round of Omicron-specific vaccines is expected in the US this fall. Officials stress that any future strains developing from the original Omicron lineage must be closely monitored given the more sophisticated threats now posed by BA.4 and BA. 5. However, they also stress that the precautions that worked at the start of the pandemic still work now.
And as Governor Kathy Hochul regularly tries to remind New Yorkers, we've been through this several times before. If BA.5 doesn't turn the tide, COVID rates should decline more aggressively later in the summer, heading into the fall.
“I remind all New Yorkers to remain vigilant as we continue to respond to COVID-19,” the Democrat said in her latest COVID update. "Use the tools we have available and stay up to date on your shots and booster doses, and talk to your child's pediatrician about vaccinating as soon as possible. If you're traveling or not feeling well, get tested and if positive, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
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