Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff: As of January 14, 2022, more than 63.3 million cases of COVID-19 and 842,873 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 Rhode Island (3,534.4); Maine reported the least (538.7). In comparison, New York State has 2,048.1 cases per 100,000, New York City has 3,162.9, and Arkansas has 1,729. In our area, Long Island now has a seven-day average COVID-19 testing positivity rate of 24.3 percent, compared with 19.4 percent for all boroughs of New York City. The increased communicability of the Omicron variant is demonstrated by these high positivity rates, which have decreased slightly in the past week. Fortunately, there is a parallel decrease in severity (i.e., death and hospitalization rates) for those contracting the Omicron variant compared with the Delta variant. Nonetheless, the high infection rate has led to an increase in hospitalizations. It appears that in New York State, while cases are starting to plateau, hospitalizations are not. More than 524 million doses of the COVID vaccine have been administered in the United States: 74.7 percent of the population has received at least one dose, 62.8 percent is now fully vaccinated, and 37.5 percent has received an additional booster as of January 13, 2022. In New York State, the CDC reports that 85.6 percent of the population has received at least one dose and 72.6 percent is fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” is still defined as two doses of Pfizer, two doses of Moderna, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, despite new booster requirements. The CDC (and New York State) is now recommending booster vaccination for 12- to 15-year-olds. Additionally, Governor Hochul now requires that healthcare workers receive a COVID-19 booster dose within two weeks of being eligible. Booster doses are being recommended because they increase an individual’s immune response and should improve people’s protection against COVID-19. Clinical trials also show that booster shots help prevent severe disease. A New England Journal of Medicine peer-reviewed study demonstrated a reduction in mortality for those who received a booster vaccine, particularly for those 50 and older. Therefore, consistent with supporting science and New York State college requirements, New York Tech strongly encourages all community members to receive a booster when they become eligible for one. As a result of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the CDC has also changed a number of its guidelines: It will likely recommend soon that KN95 or N95 masks should be used vs. cloth masks, which may provide less protection against the variant. The use of KN95 or N95 masks is also recommended at New York Tech, where all individuals are required to wear face masks indoors on campus. The CDC also recently changed isolation and quarantine guidelines. These frequent changes have been a source of frustration and misunderstanding for many. Here is a summary of the updated guidelines: People exposed to COVID-19 who are up to date on vaccinations do not need to quarantine, but should get tested at least five days after having close contact with an infected person, watch for symptoms, and wear a mask for 10 days. People who are exposed but are not up to date on vaccinations should quarantine for five days, get tested at least five days after close contact, watch for symptoms, and wear a mask for 10 days. People who have tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, should stay home for five days and isolate themselves from people in their home as much as possible. Individuals who are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication can end isolation after five days and should wear a mask until day 10. As a reminder, New York Tech requires proof of vaccination and boosters. Please find more information about our vaccination and testing policies and how to upload proof of vaccination by logging in to my.nyit.edu. If you have not done so, upload your proof of vaccination so that we have a record for our Health Screen database! 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. Sincerely, Brian L. Harper M.D., M.P.H. Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Copyright © 2022 New York Institute of Technology