Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff: As of January 21, 2022, more than 68.6 million cases of COVID-19 and 856,288 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 Wisconsin (2,785.9); Maine reported the least (464). In comparison, New York State has 1,270.2, New York City has 1,376.7, and Arkansas has 2,044. Locally, Long Island's seven-day average testing positivity rate is at 15.5 percent this week (vs. 24.3 percent last week), compared with 11.5 percent for all boroughs of New York City (vs. 19.4 percent last week). That these rates continue to decrease is a good sign that transmission of the Omicron variant may be waning. In New York State, hospitalizations have also decreased over the past week, from 9.26 cases per 100,000 on January 13 to 7.54 cases on January 19. The surveillance continuum for the coronavirus usually starts with increased transmission demonstrated by increased cases, followed by increased hospitalizations, and finally, increased mortality (death) rate. In the past seven-day period, Tennessee had the highest mortality rate, at 8.6 per 100,000 people. Alabama and Alaska had the lowest mortality rate, at 0.4. In comparison, Arkansas had three deaths per 100,000, and New York State had 5.3. Nationally, mortality rates are forecast to increase over the next four weeks—the result of earlier transmission rates. The vaccine rollout continues, with more than 531 million doses administered in the United States: 75.3 percent of the population has received at least one dose, 63.2 percent is now fully vaccinated, and 39.3 percent has received an additional booster as of January 20. In New York State, the CDC reports that 86.6 percent of the total population has received at least one dose and 73.3 percent is fully vaccinated. For data collection consistency, "fully vaccinated" is still defined as two doses of Pfizer, two doses of Moderna, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson, regardless of the new booster requirement. The terminology for those who have received the booster is "up to date." One recent CDC report analyzes data from hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits, urgent care visits, and hospitalizations between August 2021 and January 5, 2022. The report shows that a third dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shot was 90 percent effective at preventing hospitalization and 82 percent effective in preventing a trip to the emergency room or urgent care. Questions have also been raised about coronavirus vaccines and fertility. A new NIH research study suggests that vaccination for COVID does not reduce the chances of conception and also indicates COVID infection may temporarily reduce male fertility. Nationwide, there has been a lack of COVID tests available. As a result, the federal government is providing four at-home COVID-19 tests free of charge to every home in the United States. You can request tests at COVIDtests.gov; orders are reported to be shipped in 7–12 days. As a reminder, New York Tech requires proof of COVID vaccination and boosters. Please find more information about our vaccination and testing policies and how to upload proof of vaccination here. 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 © 2022 New York Institute of Technology