NYSHD: Hospitalizations caused by COVID increase by 22% in a week
The state health departments say there are no concerns about hospital bed capacity because of the new increase in hospital admissions.
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Hospitalizations caused by COVID-19 have climbed for a second straight week, according to the New York State Health Department.
The state health departments say there are no concerns about hospital bed capacity because of the new increase in hospital admissions.
The numbers released Wednesday from the NYSHD say the number of people admitted to the hospital with COVID increased by 22% compared to the week before. That is over 100 admissions a day across the state, which is still significantly lower than during the height of the pandemic.
Dr. Sharon Nachman, of Stony Brook Children's Hospital, says the current rise in hospitalization is a warning that there are going to be significantly more COVID cases in the winter.
"If we're seeing them in the summer, they're circulating in our environment," Nachman says. "Granted we're outdoors, maybe the windows are open, stuff like that, but it means that they haven't gone away and they will be back and it kind of gives us a warning that the winter will be bad."
Some Long Islanders say the numbers are very alarming, while others say it does not bother them.
Nachman says people over the age of 65 and anyone with underlying health conditions should consider getting a COVID vaccine booster in the fall. She says that the boosters won't protect people completely from getting sick, but they will prevent death and hospitalization.
Ethan Libonati, of Bethpage, is a nursing student who works at a rehabilitation center. He says COVID is still "pretty prevalent."
Nachman advises anyone that has a respiratory illness and has to go out to wear a mask to avoid getting others sick.
