COVID-19 Omicron Variant

Governor Kathy Hochul has extended a mask mandate as a legal battle over the issue continues in state courts.

There have been four cases of the so-called BA.2 variant, or “stealth omicron” that were detected between January 7 and 12.

While coronavirus numbers in the Northeast U.S. have started to level off, other parts of the country are still seeing a surge. Dr. Anthony Fauci hopes the level of infections will continue to drop below what he calls an area of control.

A study of wastewater in New York City shows that the omicron variant of COVID-19 was probably in the city before scientists in South Africa discovered the omicron variant existed.

Newly released studies indicate that available vaccines are less effective against omicron than earlier versions of the coronavirus, but also that boosters significantly improve protection.

The state's rolling seven-day case average is down 47.1 percent from last week, while new cases per 100,000 residents are declining in every one of the state's 10 regions.

“The COVID forecast is improving… the COVID clouds are parting,” Hochul said. “We have seen a major decline in what we are experiencing here.”

It's not yet clear when people infected with omicron become contagious but early data suggests it might be sooner than with earlier variants. In general, people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the few days before and after symptoms develop. But some researchers say that window might come earlier with omicron. That's because omicron appears to cause symptoms faster than earlier variants. Some experts say that could mean people with omicron become contagious within a day after infection. But researchers note it's too soon to know whether omicron's faster onset translates into earlier contagiousness.

The Department of Education did not provide attendance rates for teachers but said student attendance was about 76% on Monday. Some students, parents, and teachers are frustrated that the city won't shift to remote learning.

Hospitalizations across the state also rose and now stand at 11,843 across the state, a jump of 295 from Friday.