Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff: As of December 9, 2021, more than 49.4 million cases of COVID-19 and 790,766 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 Hampshire (658.9); Florida reported the least (61.1). In comparison, New York State has 462.4 cases per 100,000 people (up from 327.9 last week), New York City has 206.3 (up from 162.4 last week) and Arkansas has 188.3 (up from 130.7 last week). Locally, the percent of COVID-19 tests that are positive on Long Island has surpassed six percent. This is the region's highest level in nearly a year and triple the rate in New York City. At our New York campuses, the previous week's surveillance tests yielded one positive case from a total of 368 tests completed, a positivity rate of 0.27 percent. This is a very good report and we thank all those who cooperated in this initiative. The vaccine rollout continues, with more than 477 million doses administered in the U.S.: 71.5 percent of the nation's population has received at least one dose and 60.5 percent is now fully vaccinated. Approximately 79.7 percent of New York State residents have received at least one dose and 69.3 percent are fully vaccinated. Overall vaccination rates are expected to increase now that pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations have been approved. Two Variants of Concern remain on the CDC's list: Omicron and Delta. As of December 2, New York State had 19 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, including three in Suffolk County and one in Westchester County. On December 7, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D., reported that the Omicron variant has spread to more than 50 countries and 19 U.S. states. So far, more than 40 people in the U.S. have tested positive for Omicron, three-quarters of whom were vaccinated. However, as Dr. Walensky noted, nearly all of these individuals were mildly ill. The CDC is still assessing whether this variant causes milder or more severe illness than other coronavirus types. Although the Omicron variant has received considerable media attention, it is the Delta variant that continues to cause an increasing number of infections and hospitalizations, with more than 120,000 cases emerging in the U.S. each day. Infection rates are especially high in the Great Lakes region, including Michigan, which now has the country's highest hospitalization rate and is receiving support from federal medical teams. There are also a growing number of infections and hospitalizations in the Northeast, including New York State, where Governor Kathy Hochul today ordered face coverings to be worn in all indoor public places unless the business or venue has a vaccination requirement. This measure will be effective from December 13, 2021, through January 15, 2022, aiming to reduce transmission during the holiday season and a time when people move indoors. In an effort to reduce the likelihood of campus transmission, it remains important for New York Tech employees and students to wear their masks on campus and remain at home when ill. This week, we have seen an uptick in the number of employees and students requiring isolation due to COVID-19 infection. Therefore, please stay at home if you have any flu-like symptoms. Get more information about our vaccination and testing policies and how to upload proof of vaccination here. If you have not done so yet, upload your proof of vaccination now so that we have a record in our database for the online Health Screen, which everyone must complete daily to access campus. 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. Sincerely, Brian L. Harper, M.D., M.P.H. Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Vice President, Equity and Inclusion Copyright © 2021 New York Institute of Technology