COVID summer surge hits NY. How bad is it?

A summer surge in COVID-19 infections sweeping the nation has hit New York, prompting health alerts about rising hospital admissions and calls for those infected to seek treatment.

In New York, hospital admissions for COVID-19 leaped 22% last week, reaching more than 100 admissions per day statewide, health officials said. A total of 644 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized as of Monday, including 64 in intensive care units, state data show.

Reported cases in New York also spiked 55% last week, with an average of 824 infections per day. But the case count underrepresented the true scope of outbreaks due to many infections going unreported, health officials added.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald urged New Yorkers with symptoms of COVID-19 to seek testing and treatment, including prescription antiviral pills that can prevent hospitalization and death. All New Yorkers, he added, should stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses to prevent risk of severe illness.

Older New Yorkers and those with underlying health conditions or other risk factors such as smoking should also consider taking precautions, including wearing a mask in public, McDonald noted.

How bad is New York’s COVID summer surge?

While the uptick in COVID-19 hospital admissions triggered an alert, health officials noted the outbreak remains smaller than surges earlier in the pandemic that saw thousands of New Yorkers hospitalized per day.

Further, there currently are no concerns about hospital bed capacity, health officials added, evoking dark memories of some New York hospitals being stretched to the breaking point at times during the past three years.

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After months of limited COVID-19 infections, many states across the country have seen a recent spike in cases and hospitalizations.

This latest summer surge followed patterns from earlier in the pandemic, bucking some experts' predictions that the virus had evolved to a point to join other respiratory illnesses that primarily spread during the fall and winter.

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Despite the rise in hospital admissions, health officials emphasized the medical community is much better equipped now to reduce risks from COVID-19. That also limits the prospect of a return to the days when the virus caused major disruptions to workplaces and schools.

Still, health officials noted some COVID-19 medications, such as Paxlovid, are most effective when started within five days of the onset of symptoms, which makes early detection via at-home or lab testing crucial.

How to get COVID tests, treatment

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).

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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: COVID summer surge hits NY. How bad is it?