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Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff,
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As of November 22, 2022, there are approximately 98.1 million cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 1,073,115 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 Mexico (211), while Mississippi reported the least (35.1). For comparison, New York has 107.9, New York City 207.8, and Arkansas has 61.2.
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Locally, Long Island is now at 6.2 percent for the seven-day average positivity rate testing for COVID-19, compared to a 6.3 percent positivity rate for all New York City boroughs. Throughout New York State, new hospitalizations have increased to 1.98 per 100,000 people from 1.88 one month ago. This remains relatively stable since June 2022.
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The surveillance continuum for the coronavirus usually starts with increased transmission demonstrated by increased cases, followed by increased hospitalizations and finally increased mortality rate (rate of death). In the last seven-day period, Alaska is currently the state with the highest mortality rate at 3.1 deaths per 100,000 people. North Dakota and Vermont have the lowest mortality rate at 0 deaths reported per 100,000 people. For comparison, New York is at 0.8 deaths per 100,000.
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The CDC emphasizes reviewing “Community COVID Levels” where a combination of metrics —1) case rate per 100,000 population; 2) new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population; and 3) the percentage of staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19—is used to assign a specific county level of high, medium, or low risk. As of November 22, 2022, four New York City boroughs (Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx) are now designated as “high risk.” Mask wearing is therefore recommended indoors in those counties. Meanwhile, Manhattan, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties are now in the “medium risk” category, which carries no similar masking recommendations.
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At New York Tech, we have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases over the past five days, with 20 employees and 17 students currently in isolation. Therefore, as we enter into Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we should remain vigilant to avoid becoming infected by continuing to adhere to community mitigation activities (e.g., wearing masks as appropriate, washing hands thoroughly and frequently, and remaining at home and isolating if ill or symptomatic).
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As a reminder, please note that all members of the New York Tech community must continue to report to contacttracing@nyit.edu if they have tested positive. 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. Our medical students can reach out to NYITCOM’s Counseling and Wellness in Long Island (516.686.7636) or Arkansas (870.680.8839).
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Sincerely,
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Brian L. Harper, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
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