COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise in New York state, with experts attributing the increase to new variants such as FLiRT and LB.1. These sub-variants, derived from the JN.1 variant, have been identified in wastewater samples across Monroe, Westchester, Rockland counties, Buffalo, New York City, and Long Island.
According to the latest data from the CDC's Nowcast estimates of circulating variants, New York's top sub-variants spreading last month included KP (40%) and JN.1 (22%). However, LB.1, the fastest-growing variant nationally, has also begun to show up in New York wastewater.
Despite these concerns, hospitalizations remain below the rates seen during the same period in 2023 and are significantly lower than those seen during the summer of 2022. The current uptick in COVID-19 cases is still below the worst summer peak in 2023, which saw nearly 2,800 COVID-19 patients hospitalized.
As people continue to gather for social events and seek refuge from the heat indoors, experts remind New Yorkers to take precautions such as getting tested if they experience symptoms and following current CDC guidance. They also encourage staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines, which are widely available at local pharmacies statewide.
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized the importance of improving indoor ventilation to reduce transmission risk and reminded New Yorkers that updated vaccines are available at their local pharmacies.
At-home COVID-19 tests remain readily available for those who wish to test themselves before social gatherings or if they experience symptoms.
