New York health officials are warning of a potential COVID-19 surge this August, driven by the KP.3.1.1 variant. Emergency room visits for COVID-19 spiked over 55% in July, with a seven-day average of 316, and 1,255 hospitalizations as of Monday, the second-highest early August tally since 2020.
Health experts urge New Yorkers, especially the vulnerable, to avoid crowded indoor spaces and consider wearing N95 or KN95 masks. The CDC advises those infected to isolate for at least five days, as they can be contagious for up to 10 days.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have notably increased in the Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley. With a new vaccine expected in September, experts suggest high-risk individuals get boosters now, while others might benefit from waiting until October.
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