4 Cases Of ‘Stealth’ Omicron COVID-19 Have Been Confirmed In New York

This is just what we need, right? A sub-variant of the COVID-19 Omicron variant has been detected in New York State, according to news reports. We have finally gotten our positivity rate below 10 percent for the first time in almost two months, according to Governor Hochul,

"For the first time since December 20, New York State's percent positivity is in the single-digits. I want to thank New Yorkers for doing the right thing to get where we are in fighting this winter surge. However, this isn't the time to take our foot off the gas. Let's keep using the tools - the vaccine, the booster and masking up - to further bring the numbers down and keep our vulnerable loves ones safe from this virus."

Now this...

The 'stealth' sub-variant, referred to as BA.2 variant is more difficult to detect than its parent, Omicron. You could be infected by BA.2 and not even realize it, due to its ability to go undetected by some PCR tests. According to the New York Department of Health, Omicron is now the dominant variant in the state,

The Omicron variant was first confirmed in New York State on December 2, 2021. For samples of SARS-CoV-2 collected between January 2 and January 15, 2022 from New York that are sequenced and entered into GISAID, 97.9% were the Omicron variant, compared to 88.5% in the previous two-week period.

The CDC says hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant are much higher than the Delta variant,

Although disease severity appears lower with the Omicron variant, the high volume of hospitalizations can strain local health care systems and the average daily number of deaths remains substantial.

Almost 65,000 People Have Died From COVID-19 In New York State

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 64,120 New Yorkers have died due to COVID-19, as of January 26, 2022. Deaths reported via the Health Electronic Response Data System (51,532) are less than the CDC's report because it only includes those who passed away in hospitals, nursing homes, and adult care facilities.

The five counties with the most deaths according to HERDS:

5. Nassau County - 3,674

4. Suffolk County - 4,166

3. Bronx County - 5,143

2. Queens County - 7,926

1. Kings County - 8,473

You Can Now Order 4 Free COVID-19 Home Tests

You can order four free COVID-19 home tests. It took me less than a minute to fill out the form. You can place your order here.

Get our free mobile app