COVID-19 Rebounding in New York City as Tracking Outbreaks Changes
COVID-19 cases in New York City are on the rise again, signaling a potential resurgence of the virus ahead of the typical autumn and winter schedule for respiratory diseases. However, tracking these outbreaks has undergone significant changes since the last wave of the pandemic.
In May, federal regulators lifted the public health emergency for COVID-19, leading to several modifications in how the disease is reported to the public. With the relaxation of PCR testing requirements, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer provides daily and weekly updates on confirmed cases. Although New York state and city health departments continue to share case figures, officials and health experts admit that the dwindling official testing numbers make the data less reliable.
Hospitals and emergency departments still conduct routine COVID-19 testing for symptomatic patients and report the results to government officials. As a result, hospitalizations have become the primary method for assessing the occurrence of outbreaks.
Currently, there are 657 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York state, with 294 of them in New York City. This recent increase in hospitalizations is part of a larger trend in the Northeast, where hospitalization rates are growing by more than 20% on a weekly basis. While the CDC classifies this growth as “substantial,” the overall numbers are still considerably lower than previous major waves of the virus. During past surges, hospitalization rates were up to 40 times higher than the current figures.
New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan stated that the recent uptick in hospitalizations has primarily been driven by incidental cases. These are instances where patients visited medical centers for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 but later tested positive for the virus. While this indicates the circulation of the coronavirus, it has not overwhelmed hospitals or resulted in a large number of deaths thus far.
Dr. Vasan spoke about the hospitalization increase and other related topics during an interview with WNYC host Sean Carlson on All Things Considered. He discussed whether a new variant could be driving the trend and the impact of low COVID-19 booster uptake last winter. The updated vaccines are designed to help prevent symptomatic infections.
Regarding the recent hospitalizations, Dr. Vasan highlighted that the levels are still relatively low, and there have not been any concerning outcomes in terms of deaths or severe diseases requiring intensive care admissions. He acknowledged that hospitalizations tend to lag behind initial outbreaks but emphasized that there is a fair number of infections in the community at this time.
Dr. Vasan assured the public that healthcare providers are equipped with the necessary tools to manage the situation. New Yorkers can still get tested easily, whether through their healthcare providers, libraries, or public event spaces. Treatment for COVID-19 is available, and vaccines will be updated in September or early October.
The conversation also touched on the upcoming flu and COVID-19 shots. Dr. Vasan mentioned that discussions are underway at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC regarding updated COVID boosters for this year. He expressed the importance of receiving the booster, especially for those who are more than six months away from their last dose. The updated shot aims to reduce the personal risk of contracting a severe form of COVID-19.
Dr. Vasan acknowledged that the previous booster numbers were not ideal, with only 18% of NYC adults and 7% of NYC children receiving them last year. He attributed this to COVID-19 fatigue and vaccine hesitancy. To improve those numbers, he emphasized the need to normalize COVID vaccinations as part of annual health check-ups and school physicals, especially before the colder months.
When asked about the reason behind the current uptick, considering that it is summertime when indoor crowding is typically lower, Dr. Vasan explained that COVID-19 immunity lasts for about six to ten months, unlike other viruses and vaccines that provide longer or lifetime immunity. With waning immunity, it becomes crucial to update immunization regularly to maintain protection. Although there is no evidence of a dominant new variant at present, continuous monitoring is necessary as emerging variants in other parts of the world often reach New York City.
As New York City faces this rebound of COVID-19 cases, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant, get tested if symptomatic, seek appropriate treatment, and consider receiving COVID boosters to strengthen immunity.