Health Care Workers Can Return Sooner After Coronavirus: Hochul

LONG ISLAND, NY — With the highly contagious omicron variant sparking a dramatic uptick in new COVID-19 cases and derailing holiday plans for scores of New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in a Christmas Eve video briefing that the state would be adhering to new guidance allowing health care workers and other members of the state's workforce to return to their positions sooner than in past months.

While in the past, health care workers who tested positive had to remain out of work for 10 days, new, emergency guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that that time can be reduced to seven days with a negative test — or less, if there are staffing shortages.

Hochul said on Friday, however, that New York's work force in health care and other front line businesses including transportation and grocery stores can return after five days if vaccinated and asymptomatic with no fever after 72 hours and a negative test; those returning workers must wear masks, she said.

On Thursday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky issued a statement: “As the healthcare community prepares for an anticipated surge in patients due to omicron, CDC is updating our recommendations to reflect what we know about infection and exposure in the context of vaccination and booster doses. Our goal is to keep healthcare personnel and patients safe, and to address and prevent undue burden on our healthcare facilities. Our priority, remains prevention—and I strongly encourage all healthcare personnel to get vaccinated and boosted."

Looking at the escalating numbers, Hochul said they were not a surprise. "This is very, very contagious variant," she said.

There were 44,000 new cases reported over the last 24 hours, with a seven-day average of 147.3 cases per 100,000, Hochul said. In New York, 4,744 remain hospitalized statewide — with 746 on Long Island. And over the past 24 hours, 69 New Yorkers have died, leaving an empty seat at holiday tables, Hochul said.

However, she added, the situation is not the same as March of 2020 or even last Christmas. So far, the omicron variant has presented with mild symptoms for many.

On the vaccination front, 3.5 million vaccinations have been administered since December 1, Hochul said. And on Thursday, she said, New York "hit a milestone," with 95 percent of New Yorkers 18 and older having received at least one dose. A total of 4.1 million boosters have been administered, she said.

There are 37 million rapid, at-home tests headed to New York, Hochul said, as well as 1,800 testing sites statewide, with 13 additional sites set to launch on Dec. 29.

Two of those sites will open on Long Island at IBEW Local, 25 370 Motor Parkway, in Hauppauge, open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second location will open at Kennedy Memorial Park, 335 Greenwich Street, in Hempstead, from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Appointments can be made here starting on Monday.

"To get through this winter surge and protect New Yorkers, we will use every tool at our disposal," Hochul said. "By mobilizing testing sites throughout the state, we will make sure testing is more accessible and convenient for New Yorkers. We will continue to expand testing availability to every corner of the state, evaluating where more capacity and additional sites are needed soon."

Upon launch, all sites will offer RT-PCR testing. Rapid antigen and rapid PCR tests will also be available within a few days of opening, Hochul said.

In addition, 2 million rapid tests will be distributed to New York schools by Jan. 3, with a focus on keeping children in school and preventing against the educational and emotional struggles they encountered during the pandemic's virtual learning pivot.

"It had a devastating effect and we cannot take steps backward," she said.

Addressing nursing homes, Hochul said visitors must provide consent for boosters, get vaccinated and boosted, be tested before visiting, practice social distancing and wear masks when visiting loved ones.

Vaccinations are available at all nursing homes, as well as boosters, but not 100 percent of residents are vaxed and boosted, Hochul said. To visitors, she said: "Step up. If you want to visit, make sure it is safe."

While not a mandate, Hochul encouraged New Yorkers to think "of the most vulnerable person you love deeply — and the guilt you would feel if something happened to them because you wouldn't take precautions."

As for congregate settings including jails, beginning on Dec. 27, all visitors must be fully vaccinated or have a negative test within 48 hours. "This is a population this could run through like wildfire," Hochul said.

In addition, additional rapid tests are coming next week to congregate facilities, with at home tests for visitors distributed on Jan. 3.

If traveling, Hochul urged: "Spread holiday cheer, not COVID."

People who are masked, vaccinated, and boosted are fine, she said, but said if visiting the elderly or immunocompromised, people should remain masked, maintain distance, visit outdoors, get tested, and wash hands.

Hochul also said New Yorkers should support struggling businesses but maintain social distancing. "There is a way to strike the balance," she said.

The goal moving forward is to keep businesses and schools open while doing it safely — and vaccinations remain key, she said.

"Unvaccinated people are 20 times more likely to die from this pandemic than those who are vaccinated," Hochul said. "That is staggering."

For those that are feeling sick, she said: "Stay home. Don't be that person. That is selfish."

Again, Hochul said 2021 is not 2020. "We have all these tools in our arsenal. Let's be smart."