omicron variant

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is showing up in testing for the virus in New York. But she said so far, it is not spreading as fast as it has in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Onondaga County officials are trying to clear up confusion about changing COVID-19 contact tracing protocols as the number of new cases continues to rise. On December 31st, the county said it would no longer be calling individuals to trace infections. The state followed suit Tuesday.

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled what her administration is calling Surge 2.0, a plan to deal with the current spike in coronavirus omicron cases. Her plan includes increased testing, mask mandates, keeping schools open, minimizing illness and death.

New York’s Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett has tested positive for COVID-19, Governor Kathy Hochul announced in a briefing that documented the worsening situation in the state as the omicron variant multiplies. Hochul says Dr. Bassett is experiencing mild symptoms and is self isolating for the next several days.

Concerns about the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 are growing, as the more contagious version of the virus is beginning to take hold in New York. The state reported 21,000 new cases on Thursday, up more than 40% from the day before, and the highest single day case total since the pandemic began.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is warning that the state could face rapidly rising rates of COVID-19 in the coming weeks, based on early data and trends in Europe, where waves of the disease have often preceded surges in the U.S.

The Omicron Variant of the Coronavirus has now been discovered in cases here in Onondaga County. But the strain linked to South Africa was already having impacts on people here in Syracuse.

The first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant has been confirmed in Onondaga County, and officials say it serves as another reminder to get vaccinated and wear a mask. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta says we know it’s more transmissible, but symptoms appear to be milder and the vaccine seems to offer good protection.

Ithaca-based Rheonix says that its COVID-19 MDx assay test will detect the newly emerging Omicron Variant.

Despite five emerging cases of omicron variant in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul is not issuing any mask mandates or economic shutdowns.