Health Officials urge precautions as COVID infections up 125% on Long Island

Health Officials urge precautions as COVID infections up 125% on Long Island

FILE - Dr. Mary Bassett, New York City's health commissioner, addresses the media during a news conference in New York, Aug. 8, 2015. Bassett, currently director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, is New York's new state new health commissioner. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

East Farmingdale, NY- Health Officials in New York State are urging residents to take infection precautions during the Spring holiday season.

On Thursday New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said, “With the spring holidays upon us, case rates elevated and rising across the state, and a highly contagious subvariant on the move, I urge New Yorkers to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and others against this new subvariant,” Bassett also added that “Vulnerable New Yorkers and those gathering in indoor public spaces should consider wearing masks—particularly with this new subvariant on the move. If you have not yet gotten fully vaccinated or boosted, now is the time to do so to reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization. These recommendations are particularly important as New Yorkers prepare to gather for the upcoming religious holidays or perhaps travel during spring recess.”

And according to data from the New York State Department of Health, on Long Island, the coronavirus cases per 100K rate has risen 125% over the past two weeks.

Photo: FILE – Dr. Mary Bassett, New York City’s health commissioner, addresses the media during a news conference in New York, Aug. 8, 2015. Bassett, currently director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, is New York’s new state new health commissioner. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

by Brett Levine