Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff: As of December 16, 2021, more than 50.3 million cases of COVID-19 and 799,847 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 Rhode Island (720.1); Louisiana reported the least (78.1). In comparison: New York State reported 449.2. (down from 462.4 last week); New York City reported 366.3 (up from 206.3 last week); and Arkansas reported 167.7 (down from 188.3 last week). Currently, there is a 7.5 percent positivity rate in COVID testing on Long Island, compared with a 3.6 percent positivity rate for all of the boroughs of New York City. The vaccine rollout continues, with more than 490 million doses administered in the United States. As of December 16, 72.4 percent of the population has received at least one dose, with 61.2 percent fully vaccinated. In New York State, 81.4 percent of the total population has received at least one dose, with 70.7 percent fully vaccinated. Delta and Omicron remain the CDC’s two Variants of Concern. The center reports that current vaccines are expected to offer protection against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection by the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. On December 14, New York Governor Kathy Hochul shared that New York State has identified 38 Omicron cases. As of December 16, only 13 states have not reported a case of Omicron (one of which is Arkansas). Anthony Fauci, M.D., chief medical advisor to the President, reports that “Delta is reported to have a doubling time of between 11 days and two weeks, compared with every three days for Omicron.” It’s likely only a matter of time, Fauci added, before the new variant dominates U.S. cases. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky reported that Omicron comprises 3 percent of COVID-19 cases nationally and represents a higher share in certain regions. In New York State and New Jersey, the CDC estimates that Omicron already makes up 13 percent of cases, even if the states haven’t formally announced those levels yet. Most studies seem to support the fact that the Omicron variant is less virulent and less likely to cause severe disease but is more transmissible than the Delta variant. According to some estimates, Omicron may be as much as 25 to 50 percent more transmissible than the Delta variant. Delta is reportedly 50 percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was reportedly 50 percent more transmissible than the original version of SARS-CoV-2. So, it becomes evident that mutations, which continue to occur, have contributed significantly to a more efficiently transmitted virus vs. the original version. Therefore, the greatest unknown related to the Omicron variant is whether it will infect so many people that it overwhelms the healthcare system and drives up hospitalizations and deaths, despite the smaller percentage of people who may experience severe disease. As an example of the transmissibility of COVID in the college setting, Cornell University recently decided to shut down its campus due to 903 COVID cases reported in approximately one week. In comparison, during the past week, New York Tech has had approximately 20 cases requiring mandatory isolation. Contributing factors to the stark difference between Cornell and New York Tech include fewer students being on our campuses overall and significantly fewer students living in a dormitory setting. In any case, it remains extremely important for employees and students to follow New York State guidelines and wear masks indoors on campus and remain at home when ill. To reduce the likelihood of transmission, most holiday gatherings and "end-of-year" meetings at New York Tech have been canceled or conducted remotely. To increase access to booster vaccines, on Monday, December 20, New York Tech will offer free Moderna booster shots to New York Tech community members from 1 to 5 p.m. on the New York City campus. Appointments can be made online. 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. Please find more information about our vaccination and testing policies and how to upload proof of vaccination here. If you have not so yet, please upload your proof of vaccination now so we have a record for our health screen and database! Sincerely, Brian L. Harper M.D., M.P.H. Chief Medical Officer, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Copyright © 2021 New York Institute of Technology