COVID is back in NY. What to know about schools, nursing homes and more

The recent resurgence of COVID-19 in New York has renewed focus on infection-control practices at schools, nursing homes and hospitals.

But current public health efforts are less intrusive than earlier in the pandemic, as health officials assert improved medical treatments and vaccinations reduce the virus’ ability to disrupt society.

Still, concerns are mounting that New York could face severe outbreaks and rising death tolls in the fall and winter, particularly if the new BA.2.86 variant, nicknamed Pirola, surfaces here.

Meanwhile, some troubling trends — such as low COVID-19 vaccine booster rates and gaps in antiviral pill use — suggest some New Yorkers may forgo key tools for protecting themselves and others.

“While New Yorkers might want to be done with COVID-19, COVID-19 isn’t done with us,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday, calling for people to remain vigilant about public health updates in coming weeks.

What follows are key details about the latest infection-control guidelines and recommendations for New Yorkers.

How NY schools are handling COVID?

State officials are relying on federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for limiting the spread of COVID-19 in schools and other settings.

Many measures are triggered based on tracking COVID-19 hospital admission rates in the community. That is because, in part, many infections go unreported due to at-home test use, or lack of testing.

New York’s weekly hospital admission rate is now low at 5.5 per 100,000 population. That is well below the “high” level of at least 20 per 100,000, which triggers more severe infection-control measures.

Among the “high” level recommendations for schools:

• Universal indoor masking in schools, as it is in the community at large.

• Consider implementing screening testing for students and staff for high-risk activities – such as close contact sports, band, choir and theater.

• Screening testing can also help at key times, such as before/after large events like prom, tournaments, group travel, or returning from breaks -- such as holidays, spring break, at the beginning of the school year.

• Any screening testing program should include both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Further, schools serving students with serious underlying health conditions should consider masking and screening programs at medium and high hospital admission levels.

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One key change to earlier in the pandemic involves public reporting of COVID-19 cases in schools. Last fall, state officials stopped requiring schools to report cases, despite the fact New York City continued its required public disclosure of known infections.

For further details about recommendations for schools, visit the CDC website at cdc.gov.

What about COVID quarantine, isolation in NY?

Regardless of vaccination status, people should still isolate from others when they have COVID-19, CDC says.

That isolation includes if they are sick and suspect they have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.

The isolation period lasts five days and can end based on a variety of factors, including when symptoms resolve.

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Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19, except in certain high-risk settings such as correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and nursing homes.

In schools, which are generally not considered high-risk congregate settings, people exposed to COVID-19 should follow recommendations to wear a well-fitting mask and get tested, CDC says.

What are NY nursing homes doing about COVID?

In March, state officials stopped requiring nursing homes in New York to verify that visitors have a negative COVID-19 test before entry. At the time, the requirement to conduct active COVID-19 screening, such as symptom questionnaires and temperature checks, also ended.

Before that, the state last year also stopped requiring screening testing of nursing home workers.

Amid those changes, a total of 372 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19 so far this year, which added to more than 15,000 earlier in the pandemic.

And as concerns about another wave of infections hitting soon unfold, one ongoing issue at nursing homes involves vaccine booster rates.

A total of 467 nursing homes, or 72% of facilities statewide, reported data on residents who received a booster dose. Of that group, about 86% of residents got a booster dose, meaning they had improved protection against serious illness, federal data show.

But only 27% of nursing home workers in those facilities were up to date on COVID-19 vaccination. That is slightly above the 25% national average, but well below the level needed to limit fallout from outbreaks in already understaffed nursing homes.

That trend gets even worse in the general population, with only 15.5% of New Yorkers currently being up to date on COVID-19 vaccination, state data show.

State officials last year dropped a push to mandate booster doses for medical workers, including at nursing homes, citing concerns it would lead to thousands of workers quitting or being fired for refusing the shot.

In May, state officials also repealed a vaccine mandate for workers at nursing homes, though the facilities are still required to make vaccine doses available to residents.

Health officials and Hochul also recently noted they will be releasing details soon about the rollout of a new COVID-19 vaccine booster expected next month.

What NY hospitals are doing about COVID?

Hospitals are still required to stockpile personal protective equipment for workers, as authorities seek to avoid shortages that wreaked havoc during prior waves.

Recently, some health systems have also renewed requirements that visitors and workers wear masks. Many other hospitals continue to require mask wearing in certain high-risk settings, such as cancer wards.

How to get COVID tests, treatment

After the public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 ended in May, access to free COVID-19 test kits and testing diminished. But some federal programs continue to support that free access for uninsured Americans.

For further details, visit the CDC website at testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search.

Health officials noted New Yorkers with COVID-19 symptoms and positive test results should consult health care providers to secure treatment options.

The federal “Test to Treat” program also provides assistance in accessing COVID-19 tests and medications, including a searchable online tool that provides locations of providers. That help can be accessed on the website, aspr.hhs.gov, or via the hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: COVID in NY: What you need to know about schools, nursing homes, more