East Farmingdale, NY- Health experts say the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading at an alarming rate. Dr Rochelle Wallinsky, director of the CDC said yesterday during a White House COVID briefing that Omicron is now estimated to account for about 13% of all COVID infections in New York and New Jersey. And what’s worrisome, the highly contagious Omicron variant doesn’t hold up too well against vaccines with only an approximately 30% effective rate against preventing symptomatic disease for two doses of Pfizer. Public health officials are urging Americans ages 16 and older, to get COVID-19 boosters as preliminary data shows that boosters can prevent hospitalization up to 70%.
Experts say a multi-layered approach including vaccines, boosters, masks, social distancing and hand washing is our best defense as Omicron and Delta spread along with the flu.
Both Pfizer and Moderna say they’re working on a Omicron variant booster which should be ready in March.
The 7 day positivity rate on Long Island, is now over 7%.
Photo: Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaks during an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
