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COVID-19: Fast-Spreading JN.1 Variant Now Accounts For 86 Percent Of US Cases COVID-19: Fast-Spreading JN.1 Variant Now Accounts For 86 Percent Of US Cases
Covid-19: Fast-Spreading JN.1 Variant Now Accounts For 86 Percent Of US Cases There's a new dominant variant of COVID-19 in the United States, and it's way ahead of the rest of the pack. JN. 1, a highly contagious off-shoot of the Omicron strain, now makes up around 86 percent of COVID cases in the United States after accounting for less than 5 percent of infections nationally in early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. It's also the most dominant across the globe. JN.1 cases in the US have doubled over the last month.  In late December, it caused 44 percent of cases in the US, after making up around 22 percent of inf…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning
Covid-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning As the new COVID-19 variant named XBB.1.5 rapidly spreads through New York, officials are urging people to receive their booster shots to protect themselves.  Earlier Report - COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Accounts For 70% Of Tristate NY Cases, Sparking Concerns Of New Wave The variant, which spreads more quickly than other currently circulating strains of the virus, is already making up more than 50 percent of cases in the state, making it the predominant strain, according to the New York Department of Health.  Although it is not yet clear if the XBB.1.5 variant is more se…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Tripledemic' Concerns Grow As Surge In Flu Activity Strikes Amid Ongoing RSV, COVID-19 Cases 'Tripledemic' Concerns Grow As Surge In Flu Activity Strikes Amid Ongoing RSV, COVID-19 Cases
'Tripledemic' Concerns Grow As Surge In Flu Activity Strikes Amid Ongoing RSV, Covid-19 Cases Concerns of a so-called "Tripledemic" are growing amid the most widespread flu activity nationwide at this point in the season in over a decade while respiratory illnesses, particularly among children, are straining hospitals as COVID-19 is still an ongoing issue.  "There’s no scientific definition for this term," according to Yale Medicine. "It simply refers to a collision of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), flu, and COVID-19 to the extent that it might overwhelm hospital emergency departments." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, so far this season…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Here's Name Of New Booster Targeting Omicron Strain, What To Know, How To Get Vaccine COVID-19: Here's Name Of New Booster Targeting Omicron Strain, What To Know, How To Get Vaccine
Covid-19: Here's Name Of New Booster Targeting Omicron Strain, What To Know, How To Get Vaccine Health experts are recommending the use of updated COVID-19 booster vaccines to protect people from the most prevalent subvariants of the virus currently circulating. The newly-approved boosters are officially named "bivalent vaccines" that target the original strain of COVID-19 and what is now the predominant subvariant of Omicron, BA.5., according to a report from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center with Dr. David Tweardy, the head of the Department of Infectious Diseases. “The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating C…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Long Island Seeing Steady Increases In Cases, Positive-Test Rate; Here's New Data COVID-19: Long Island Seeing Steady Increases In Cases, Positive-Test Rate; Here's New Data
Covid-19: Long Island Seeing Steady Increases In Cases, Positive-Test Rate; Here's New Data New York continues to tout improved COVID-19 numbers, though the data has been slowly getting worse on Long Island. For the third straight day, the average seven-day average COVID-19 positive infection rate on Long Island has slipped, up to 1.95 percent of those tested on Sunday, March 20, up from below 1.90 percent throughout the rest of the week. Related story - COVID-19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks Statewide, the positivity rate is also on the rise, up to 1.92 percent on March 20, up from below 1.50 percent earlier in the month. In mid…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tests Positive COVID-19: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tests Positive
Covid-19: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tests Positive New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who grew up in Northern Westchester County and now represents parts of the Bronx and Queens, has tested positive for COVID-19. "She is experiencing symptoms and recovering at home," Ocasio-Cortez's office said in a statement released early Sunday evening, Jan. 9. "The congresswoman received her booster shot this fall, and encourages everyone to get their booster and follow all CDC guidelines." The 32-year-old Ocasio-Cortez, a 2007 graduate of Yorktown High School, recently returned from a trip to Florida. A photo of her dining outdoors in Miami m…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Nears 25 Percent; These Are Most-Affected Communities COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Nears 25 Percent; These Are Most-Affected Communities
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Nears 25 Percent; These Are Most-Affected Communities Long Island continues to be the hardest-hit region in New York State by the Omicron COVID-19 variant as nearly one in four people tested in Nassau and Suffolk has tested positive for the virus. The average seven-day positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island remains the highest in the state, as it rose from 22.69 percent on Friday, Dec. 31 to 24.94 percent as of Sunday, Jan. 2, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health. Statewide, the infection rate also continues to rise, from 19.79 percent to 21.49 percent during the same time frame. No region in New York ha…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Large Holiday Gatherings Are Not Safe — Even With Booster, Fauci Says COVID-19: Large Holiday Gatherings Are Not Safe — Even With Booster, Fauci Says
Covid-19: Large Holiday Gatherings Are Not Safe — Even With Booster, Fauci Says The nation’s top infectious disease expert is cautioning Americans against hosting large holiday parties or gatherings due to the increasing threat of the Omicron COVID-19 variant of the virus, even if precautions are taken. Dr. Anthony Fauci said that it's reasonable for Americans vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 can be with family over the holidays but attending large gatherings is not safe, even for those who received a booster dose. Fauci’s statement comes as the country is facing a winter surge of new COVID-19 infections amid the spread of the Omicron variant. “There are many …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Soars Past 10 Percent As Cases Increase COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Soars Past 10 Percent As Cases Increase
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Soars Past 10 Percent As Cases Increase Long Island's COVID-19 infection rate in New York as the region, already the highest in New York, spiked past 10 percent while other parts of the state have seen some relief from the winter surge of the virus. In the past three days, Long Island has seen its seven-day average positive infection rate rise a full percentage point, to 10.32 percent of those tested, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health.  Statewide, the infection rate also rose similarly, from 6.88 percent to 7.88 percent as of Monday, Dec. 20.  No other region in the state has a positive…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Climb In Cases As Infection Rate Tops 8 Percent COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Climb In Cases As Infection Rate Tops 8 Percent
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Climb In Cases As Infection Rate Tops 8 Percent After coasting through the summer and fall, the holiday spike of COVID-19 cases on Long Island has led to it being among the hottest beds for the virus in New York. Long Island now has the second-highest seven-day average positive infection rate of the state's 10 regions, as it spiked past 8 percent to 8.19 percent, with only Western New York (9.24 percent and trending downward) reporting worse numbers. Statewide, the positive infection rate is also on the rise, from 4.83 percent to 5.73 percent in the past three days, according to the latest update from the New York State Department of Hea…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says COVID-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says
Covid-19: These Will Be Key Signs When End To Pandemic Is Coming, CDC Director Says The COVID-19 pandemic is now nearly two years old, and there's still no end in sight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says there are two key signs to look for down the line that are key indicators when the time comes that it does finally wind down. The first is a manageable number of hospitalizations, and the second is a significant drop in the number of daily deaths, she said in an interview with ABC News. To get there, Walensky emphasized the importance of relying on strategies that have proven to be effective, namely vaccines and mask…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties
NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties With all eyes concentrating on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, flu season has quietly snuck up on New Yorkers, which reported hundreds of new cases of influenza, according to the state Department of Health. In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 980 cases of influenza out of more than 49,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “first week widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” According to health officials, 47 counties reported cases of influenza, with just five having none. The hardest-hit areas, with more than 10 …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Climbs Over 5 Percent As Number Of Cases Keeps Climbing COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Climbs Over 5 Percent As Number Of Cases Keeps Climbing
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Climbs Over 5 Percent As Number Of Cases Keeps Climbing Long Island hit a concerning milestone in its fight against COVID-19 as the positive infection rate rose above 5 percent as New York contends with variants of the virus. The average seven-day positive infection rate on Long Island rose .23 percent overnight, according to the latest update from the New York State Department of Health, up to 5.17 percent, leaving New York City (1.94 percent) and the Hudson Valley (3.73 percent) as the only regions to remain under a 4 percent positivity rate. Statewide, the positivity rate continues to spike, up from 4.12 percent to 4.37 percent in the past th…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Number Of Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Number Of Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Increases In Number Of Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown The positive COVID-19 infection rate of those tested for the virus on Long Island is rapidly approaching a dubious milestone. After remaining at or below 3 percent for most of the summer and early fall, Long Island has seen weeks of new waves of COVID-19 infections, with the average seven-day positivity rate jumping from 4.43 percent to 4.78 percent in the past three days, according to the state Department of Health. Statewide, the positivity rate also has been spiking, from 3.95 percent to 4.12 percent during the same timeframe, with the numbers expected to continue trending in the wrong d…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Rises Again As NY Cases Hit Seven-Month High COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Rises Again As NY Cases Hit Seven-Month High
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Rises Again As NY Cases Hit Seven-Month High Long Island continues to see its positive COVID-19 infection rate surge as New York contends with its worst outbreak of the virus since the spring as the number of new cases spiked to a seven-month high. Both Nassau and Suffolk counties reported more than 350 new COVID-19 cases, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health, as the average seven-day infection rate on Long Island rose to 3.59 percent.   Statewide, in the past three days, the positive infection rate in New York has risen from 3.30 percent to 3.47.  There have now been a total of 248,244 CO…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New York's State Of Emergency To Be Lifted COVID-19: New York's State Of Emergency To Be Lifted
Covid-19: New York's State Of Emergency To Be Lifted The State of Emergency put in place in New York more than a year ago is set to expire as the state continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that as of Thursday, June 24, the State of Emergency will be lifted as the state went from one of the COVID-19 hotbeds in the world to the lowest infection rate in the country. “The State of Emergency expires tomorrow, and it will not be renewed,” Cuomo said during a COVID-19 briefing in Manhattan on Wednesday, June 23. “It will punctuate the end of the emergency we’ve been in because New Yorkers and essent…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: American Federation Of Teachers President Calls For Full School Reopenings In Fall COVID-19: American Federation Of Teachers President Calls For Full School Reopenings In Fall
Covid-19: American Federation Of Teachers President Calls For Full School Reopenings In Fall The head of the second-largest teachers union in the United States is calling on a full return to five-day-a-week in-person learning at all schools in the fall, declaring that her organization was “all-in.” In an address posted on social media, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers said that with more and more Americans becoming eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, it is imperative that schools fully reopen for students and staff during the next academic year. “Conditions have changed,” she said. "We can and we must reopen schools in the fall for in-person te…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Vaccine Rivalry? Comparisons Between Moderna, Pfizer Doses Can Get Heated COVID-19: Vaccine Rivalry? Comparisons Between Moderna, Pfizer Doses Can Get Heated
Covid-19: Vaccine Rivalry? Comparisons Between Moderna, Pfizer Doses Can Get Heated Are you Team Moderna or Team Pfizer? A good-natured rivalry has been brewing between those receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine versus the Pfizer vaccine as more doses have been made available to the majority of the public. Since Americans began receiving their initial doses of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, photos of vaccination cards and celebratory videos of successful shots have flooded social media, with some on both sides taking playful jabs at the other in the process. Related story - COVID:19: COVID-19: Brand-New Study Compares Side Effects Of Pfizer, Moderna Va…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Cases Of More Contagious South African Strain Have Now Been Reported In These States COVID-19: Cases Of More Contagious South African Strain Have Now Been Reported In These States
Covid-19: Cases Of More Contagious South African Strain Have Now Been Reported In These States The more transmittable COVID-19 variant from South Africa continues to make the rounds across the country, with newly confirmed cases of the strain being reported throughout the Northeast. The South African COVID-19 strain has now been reported in nine states, including New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and one territory, as the country works to vaccinate as many people as possible to prevent the spread of the virus. Other states reporting confirmed cases of the South African strain include: California; Texas; Illinois; Virginia; South Carolina; Maryland; The District of Col…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: Cuomo Blames 'Incompetent Federal Government' After AG Report On Nursing Home Deaths COVID-19: Cuomo Blames 'Incompetent Federal Government' After AG Report On Nursing Home Deaths
Covid-19: Cuomo Blames 'Incompetent Federal Government' After AG Report On Nursing Home Deaths New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is taking some heat after attempting to shift the blame on the state’s COVID-19 nursing home deaths by placing the culpability on the “incompetent federal government" after Attorney General Letitia James issued a report that found that deaths may have been underreported by as much as 50 percent during the pandemic. Earlier story - COVID-19: NY AG Report Says Nursing Home Deaths May Have Been Undercounted By 50 Percent During an appearance on MSNBC earlier this week, Cuomo took another jab at the administration of former President Donald Trump, saying that “in…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Reduces Length Of Quarantine Period COVID-19: NY Reduces Length Of Quarantine Period
Covid-19: NY Reduces Length Of Quarantine Period In an effort to ensure that those instructed to quarantine due to possible COVID-19 exposure in New York are following the state’s guidance, health officials announced it will be amending its quarantine guidelines. State officials announced this week that New York would be following in the footsteps of the CDC, which reduced required COVID-19 quarantines from 14 to 10 days. Anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 will be reached by contact tracers, who will then instruct that person to quarantine, while following up with them daily through text messages and phone calls. Earlier story…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New Rules Announced In These Cluster Zones, Including In Hudson Valley COVID-19: New Rules Announced In These Cluster Zones, Including In Hudson Valley
Covid-19: New Rules Announced In These Cluster Zones, Including In Hudson Valley New rules have been announced for COVID-19 hotspots in New York State that have cropped up in cluster zones in Brooklyn, Queens, and Broome, Orange and Rockland counties.  The new rules will be in effect for a minimum of 14 days. The state's plan was developed in consultation with national public health experts including Dr. Noam Ross of EcoHealth Alliance, Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota and former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden. The initiative is composed of three steps: Take dramatic action within the cluster. Take action in the area surrounding the cluster to …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Latest Rundown Of Long Island Cases, Hospitalizations, Deaths COVID-19: Latest Rundown Of Long Island Cases, Hospitalizations, Deaths
Covid-19: Latest Rundown Of Long Island Cases, Hospitalizations, Deaths Hospitalization rates for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to drop on Long Island, as both Nassau and Suffolk county look to slowly reopen their economies. In Nassau, there have been 36,161 (307 new) positive COVID-19 tests, which have now resulted in the death of 1,720 county residents. There have been 34,037 (373 new) confirmed cases in Suffolk, leading to the death of 1,203 county residents. "We're seeing signs of strength hope and resiliency throughout the county," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, noting that the county is approaching the magic number of 14 consecutive …

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Nation's Food Supply Chain Is Breaking, Tyson Chairman Warns COVID-19: Nation's Food Supply Chain Is Breaking, Tyson Chairman Warns
Covid-19: Nation's Food Supply Chain Is Breaking, Tyson Chairman Warns The head of one of the nation’s largest companies in the food industry is cautioning that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic could be on the verge of “breaking the supply chain.” In a full-page ad published in The New York Times, Washington Post and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Tyson Foods board chairman John Tyson warned that there will be meat shortages and serious food waste issues due to the virus. According to Tyson, the company, headquartered in ‎Springdale, Arkansas‎, has been forced to close the doors of many of its processing plants due to COVID-19, leaving more tha…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: The Fresh Market Now Requires Shoppers To Wear Face Coverings COVID-19: The Fresh Market Now Requires Shoppers To Wear Face Coverings
Covid-19: The Fresh Market Now Requires Shoppers To Wear Face Coverings Shoppers looking to pick up some groceries from The Fresh Market during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis will be turned away at the door if they don’t have proper face coverings. Citing new guidance from global health organizations, The Fresh Market announced this week that all shoppers inside their stores will have to wear face masks or coverings, starting on Tuesday, April 14. “When the CDC updated their guidance to recommend people wear cloth face coverings when in public settings, The Fresh Market modified their policy to require all team members to wear a face mask or cloth face…

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by Zak Failla
News
Man With COVID-19 Dies At Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, Officials Say Man With COVID-19 Dies At Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, Officials Say
Man With Covid-19 Dies At Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, Officials Say An 83-year-old man from Queens who tested positive from coronavirus died Monday at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside. Officials said a man admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 26, but wasn’t tested because he didn’t meet the federally mandated criteria for testing for coronavirus at the time.  At the time, the CDC was prioritizing those who had been exposed to anyone with symptoms or those who traveled to high-risk countries. Before testing positive, hospital officials noted that the man had underlying “chronic health condition” and after he exhibited new symptoms,…

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by Zak Failla
News
Rockland Resident Is Second New Yorker To Die From COVID-19 Rockland Resident Is Second New Yorker To Die From COVID-19
Rockland Resident Is Second New Yorker To Die From Covid-19 Click here for an updated story: 'We Must Take Additional Action Locally,' Rockland County Exec Says After COVID-19 Fatality A Hudson Valley resident is New York state's second confirmed fatality as a result of the outbreak of the novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Late Saturday, March 14, Rockland County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Laura Carbone confirmed that the death of a resident in Suffern is connected to COVID-19. "The death we have been investigating within the Village of Suffern on Thursday, March 12,  has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)," Carbone said…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Here's Latest Info On Westchester Man Who Tested Positive For COVID-19 Here's Latest Info On Westchester Man Who Tested Positive For COVID-19
Here's Latest Info On Westchester Man Who Tested Positive For Covid-19 New details have emerged on the Westchester man who has tested positive for the second case of the novel coronavirus in New York State. The 50-year-old man, an attorney at a small law firm in midtown Manhattan who lives in New Rochelle, is now hospitalized, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday, March 3, at a news conference in Albany. Cuomo said the man has an underlying respiratory illness. Video: Westchester County Officials Provide Info On Positive COVID-19 Case, Detail Next Steps The man recently traveled to Miami, but no direct connection to China or any country on th…

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by Joe Lombardi