New York monitors for COVID

New York continues monitoring for cases of new COVID-19 variant as hospitalizations rise

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New York continues monitoring for cases of new COVID-19 variant as hospitalizations rise

Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced new steps to protect people from COVID-19 in the state of New York, following reports of a new variant, BA.2.86. This comes after COVID-19 hospitalizations increased across the state. So far, the new variant has not been detected in New York.

The Department of Health and the Wadsworth Center continue monitoring for and analyzing samples of SARS-CoV-2, as reports emerge of new strains. Analysts at the Wadsworth Center have searched wastewater data from the last six months to confirm the new strain was not detected in New York.

According to the health department, this process will continue to be used to help monitor for the variant in new wastewater samples.

Wadsworth Center is also coordinating with health care professionals across the state to expand the pool of samples submitted for analysis, to increase the opportunity for detecting BA.2.86, should it enter the state.

A new COVID-19 vaccine, that targets omicron variants, is expected to be released by the three major COVID-19 vaccine producers in September 2023.

As students begin to return to school for the next academic year, the state recommends that schools review current CDC school guidance for COVID-19 prevention and work with their local health department to implement effective and feasible public health measures.