New York is experiencing a bump in COVID cases that might put a damper on people’s summer plans.
Cases have been rising nationally and locally for about two months, driven by so-called “FLiRT” variants — versions of the virus that have evolved to evade immunity.
Mandatory COVID mitigation measures have largely been waived, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has eased its recommendations for how long people should isolate themselves after getting sick. But there are still precautions people can take to avoid getting COVID or spreading it to others.
Here’s what to know about the latest COVID wave.
How big is the current COVID wave?
New York City data shows an average of 687 cases of COVID reported per day during the week ending on June 22, 250% higher than the amount reported two months prior. That same week, there was an average of 53 COVID-related hospitalizations each day — primarily involving older adults — and one death, according to city data.
A decline in testing means COVID case counts don’t necessarily show the full picture, according to public health experts. Based on state wastewater testing data, New York City appears to be experiencing a bump in COVID similar to the increase seen last summer. Current levels of the virus, however, are far lower than what was detected during a surge last winter.
Infectious disease experts say COVID is starting to follow a predictable pattern, with a surge in the fall when temperatures start to drop and people gather indoors, and a smaller bump in the summer.
In the summer, “there are family gatherings, there are weddings,” noted Dr. Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist and professor at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. And while people are more likely to spend time outdoors, where the virus is less likely to spread, “we also spend time indoors when we have a heat wave like we had last week.”
What do we know about the FLiRT variants?
Many people have developed some level of…
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