A Message from Our Chief Medical Officer: Novel Coronavirus Update

Dear New York Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff:

As of February 10, 2022, more than 77.1 million cases of COVID-19 and 910,373 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 Alaska (1,230.6); Maryland reported the least (143.7). In comparison, New York State has decreased to 259.7 cases per 100,000 people from 754.9 two weeks ago; New York City has decreased to 183.8 from 718.6; Arkansas has decreased to 475.9 from 1,786.1.

Locally, Long Island’s seven-day average COVID-19 testing positivity rate is now at 4.2 percent (vs. 10 percent two weeks ago), compared with a 2.6. percent positivity rate for all boroughs of New York City (vs. 6.4 percent two weeks ago). These percentages continue to decrease, which is a good sign that transmission of the Omicron variant may be waning in our region. In New York State, new hospitalizations have also decreased over the past two weeks, from 5.92 cases per 100,000 people on January 25 to 2.64 cases on February 9.

The surveillance continuum for the coronavirus usually starts with increased transmission demonstrated by increased cases, followed by increased hospitalizations, and finally, increased mortality rates (rate of death). In the past seven-day period, Virginia is currently the state with the highest mortality rate, at 9.9 deaths per 100,000 people. Alabama still has the lowest mortality rate at 0.5. In comparison, Arkansas’ mortality rate is 7.9 deaths per 100,000 people and New York State’s is 3.2.

Nationally, the CDC forecasts mortality rates to remain stable (or have an uncertain trend) over the next four weeks, likely the result of decreasing transmission rates.

As a result of these decreasing trends in testing positivity rates, new cases, and hospitalizations, many states are relaxing community mitigation efforts such as mandatory mask-wearing in public settings. These include New Jersey, Connecticut, and most recently, New York. In New York, masking remains mandatory in "high-density settings" such as schools and childcare facilities, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, detention centers, homeless and domestic violence shelters, and public transit. However, the governor has left it up to localities and businesses to impose their own requirements.

These changes in state recommendations are somewhat controversial since they differ from the CDC’s recommendations. The director of the CDC recommends that in areas with “high and substantial transmission,” mandates should not be removed and people should continue wearing masks. Most jurisdictions in the U.S. have “high and substantial transmission,” because they have had greater than or equal to 100 new cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven days. Therefore, by this CDC standard, the mask mandate should remain. However, the CDC also indicates that state and local governments can make their own decisions. Hence, the variety of differing laws. Even local medical experts also have differing opinions on the mask mandate.

There has been no change to our current masking requirements; however, New York Tech is reviewing the mask policy and a final recommendation is forthcoming.

The vaccine rollout continues, with more than 545 million doses administered in the United States: 75.8 percent of the population has received at least one dose, 64.3 percent are now fully vaccinated, and 42.6 percent has received an additional booster as of February 10. In New York State, the CDC reports that 88.1 percent of the total population has received at least one dose and 74.7 percent are fully vaccinated. At New York Tech, 100 percent of employees and 95 percent of students are in compliance with New York Tech’s vaccination policy.

On the vaccine development front, there is a new vaccine called Novavax that has submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use approval. This is a traditional protein subunit-based vaccine that can reportedly be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures and has a shelf life of about nine months. This is a particularly important development for those who have concerns about mRNA-based vaccines as it will provide an alternative to those vaccines.

As a reminder, proof of vaccination is still required at New York Tech. Please find more information about our vaccination and testing policies and how to upload proof of vaccination here. If you have not done so, please upload your proof of vaccination so that we have a record for our database and health screen! 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