A Message from Our Chief Medical Officer: Novel Coronavirus Update

Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff:

As of December 2, 2021, more than 48.6 million cases of COVID-19 and 781,963 cumulative total deaths have been reported in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since the start of the pandemic. Over the past seven-day period, the state reporting the highest number of cases per 100,000 people is New Hampshire (505.1); Florida reported the least (46.4). In comparison, New York State has 327.9 cases per 100,000, New York City has 162.4 per 100,000, and Arkansas has 130.7 cases per 100,000.

The COVID vaccine rollout in the United States continues. As of December 2, more than 464 million doses have been administered: 70.6 percent of the population has received at least one dose, and 59.6 percent is now fully vaccinated. Approximately 78.4 percent of New York State residents has received at least one dose, and 68.6 percent is fully vaccinated. Overall rates are expected to increase now that pediatric COVID vaccinations have been approved.

Omicron Variant Information and Responses
The World Health Organization and CDC have determined that Omicron, a variant initially found in South Africa, is a new variant of concern (VOC). The CDC defines a VOC as a variant for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (for example, increased hospitalizations or deaths), significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures. There are now two VOCs on the CDC’s list: Omicron and Delta.

At the beginning of this week, there were no Omicron variant cases in the U.S. As of December 2, five cases of Omicron coronavirus have been reported in New York State (including one case on Long Island), with a total of 10 cases reported nationwide. California, Colorado, and Minnesota reported cases among patients who were fully vaccinated and developed only mild symptoms, while Hawaii reported a case affecting an unvaccinated person who had moderate symptoms. This new variant has prompted responses from President Biden and New York State Governor Hochul.

Overall, ongoing CDC recommendations include boosters for adults, vaccinations for children, and increased access to home testing. Although booster vaccines do not specifically address the Omicron variant, they do increase the strength of your antibody response. So, when the virus mutates, a booster makes it more likely that your antibodies can protect you against the new variant. Accordingly, the CDC issued updated guidance recommending every adult get a booster.

Governor Hochul also issued an executive order declaring a "disaster emergency," which lets hospitals postpone elective surgery and allow more hospital beds for COVID patients.

Testing and Mitigation Efforts at New York Tech
We thank the New York Tech community for their participation in the campus-wide testing initiative on November 30 – December 2. Because initial and subsequent studies have never shown the efficacy of the vaccine to be 100 percent, there is always a possibility that those who are vaccinated could be infected. In recent weeks, a small number of our community members contracted the virus (due to exposures off campus) despite being vaccinated. Vaccinated individuals are significantly less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19, but if they contract the virus, they could spread it to others.

Our recent testing initiative allows us to conduct additional surveillance, particularly with the emergence of the Omicron variant, to determine if we have many vaccinated individuals who may harbor the virus and remain asymptomatic. This is an important surveillance step. Although results are still pending, the first 60 individuals tested on the first day revealed no positive results.

To reduce the likelihood of any campus transmission at New York Tech, it remains important for employees/students to wear their masks on campus and remain at home when ill. Many large holiday gatherings have been postponed in an abundance of caution. When possible, it is important to stay at home if you have any flu-like symptoms, in an effort not to put others at risk. As always, those who may feel anxious or uneasy can reach out to Counseling and Wellness Services at our campuses in Long Island (516.686.7683) or New York City (212.261.1773) to talk or make a virtual appointment.

Please find more information about our vaccination and testing policies and how to upload proof of vaccination here.

Sincerely,

Brian L. Harper M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine