May 14, 2022, 2:55 a.m. Updated 4 hours ago
From: News 12 Staff
The New York State Department of Health recommends that Long Islanders wear masks indoors again.
The news comes as Nassau and Suffolk counties have been classified as high-risk communities for COVID transmission.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised Long Island to the highest level of risk, as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in both Nassau and Suffolk counties due to the Omicron variant.
Health officials add that the COVID jump on Long Island has been fueled by the end of mandates for masks in crowded indoor buildings and other factors.
“Our primary vaccines on Long Island are not good. We haven’t done very well with the boosters, “said Dr. David Batinelli of Northwell Health. “Long Island is a very densely populated area. So take a very dense population with a highly infectious disease and you will spread.”
Health experts say the numbers are probably even higher because people do tests at home.
On Wednesday, the positive rate of COVID-19 on Long Island was 10.5%. A month ago it was 5.2%, and two months ago it was 1.6%. The numbers are constantly growing.
The CDC mask recommendation is optional, but encouraged. His recommendation is also for all Long Islanders, regardless of vaccination status.
Josephine Martino, 92, of Smithtown, is a resident who is not happy with the recommendation.
“I live my life,” says Martino. “I do what I want and no one can tell me what to do.”
Other Long Islanders say they have never stopped wearing their masks.
The CDC says people with medical conditions who put them at higher risk than COVID-19 need to take extra precautions, which include avoiding crowded indoor spaces.
The CDC looks at various things to determine risk levels, including the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and hospital staffing levels.
The guidelines of the State Department of Health include staying home if you do not feel well, being tested after possible exposure, and being vaccinated or strengthened.
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