2 New Cases Of Omicron Variant Detected On LI: Hochul

LONG ISLAND, NY — Four new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant were detected in New York State — with two found in Suffolk County, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tueday.

The other two cases were detected in Oneida County, she said.

"Four more cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant were just identified in New York State. With the new variant circulating, the best way to stay safe and prevent serious illness during the holiday season is by getting vaccinated or a booster shot," Hochul said. "With more friends and family gathering indoors this time of year, we have the tools to fight this pandemic and you can protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated and encouraging others to get the shot, and mask up."

As of Monday, Long Island's positivity rate stood at 5.89 percent, compared to the statewide 7-day average of 4.82 percent.

Answering questions after a press briefing on Monday, Hochul said the state will continue to work with local leaders to provide updates and ensure they have tools needed.

When asked if, with some areas reflecting dramatic spikes in positivity rates, a statewide approach to mandates might be considered, Hochul said she has been talking for months about the advent of a winter surge.

The biggest concern is hospital capacity, and her team is working day and night with county executives and the New York State Department of Health, she said. Hochul said she had predicted the current post-Thanksgiving spike.

While the uptick is cyclical and similar to last year's, the difference this year is there are vaccinations, Hochul said.

As of now, Hochul said she had no plans for statewide mandates, but said she would be watching the numbers closely.

"I know this state better than anyone and I know people's appetites for more restrictions," she said, adding that she had no problem enforcing mandates if necessary but more information was needed about the new variant.

"We don't know enough right now," she said. The omicron variant, she said, is reportedly highly transmissible "doesn't cause as much illness as delta." However, Hochul said, the information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could change at any time and the state will remain "nimble enough to deploy, should we need to take steps to protect the people of this state."

Hochul said the names of hospitals ceasing elective surgery would be announced Monday but as it stands, none were on Long Island.

A targeted approach will be embraced, Hochul said. "We do not want to return to the scenario of the early months of the pandemic, with the wholesale shutting down. We've learned a lot." A one-size-fits-all-approach, she said, is not needed with the state's hospitals and nursing homes. Instead, help will be sent to hospitals that are struggling; the National Guard is ready and resources and staff can be sent from other areas, she said.

For now, Hochul said the state stands ready to help local leaders but she said she will reserve the right to "take extra steps" if needed.

While none of the new omicron cases are related to the recent anime convention at the Javits Center, the DOH urges anyone who attended to get tested for COVID-19, Hochul said.

The first case of the omicron COVID-19 variant was identified on Long Island on Thursday, Hochul said. That Suffolk County case involved a woman, 67, who was vaccinated, Hochul said.

"No cause for alarm," Hochul said. "We just want to make sure that the public is aware of information when we receive it."

Little is known about the omicron variant, which was first found in South Africa. Experts found the variant had mutations that could make it highly transmissible, but they still don't know whether it causes more or less severe infections. They also don't know how effective the COVID-19 vaccines are against it.

Hochul said based on the information known as of Thursday that the New York cases appeared to be mild. But she said it's still early.

Hochul also stressed that New Yorkers shouldn't panic. She said the situation and tools available are far better than the first wave of COVID-19.

"We're just trying to let people know: we've got this," she said. "Have confidence in what we're able to do because it's a different world right now."

The first omicron case in the country was confirmed last week in California. Earlier Thursday, officials said the second case — in Minnesota — was found in a man who had recently been at the anime convention at the Javits Center in Manhattan.

Omicron's confirmed arrival in New York came a day before a state of emergency went into place in the state to help hospitals cope with rising numbers and the threat of the new variant. It gives overstretched medical centers the ability to cancel scheduled surgeries, and to send supplies and personnel where needed.

Of the new variant, she said: "We do anticipate there'll be more cases, but to the extent that they are mild, we'll address them. . .Again, it was foreseen ever since it was first reported out of South Africa that we knew it would come to New York State at some point. And I want all New Yorkers to know that their state government, in collaboration with our local governments, our cities and our counties, are prepared for this."