Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

2 New Covid Variants Discovered: Health Officials Recommend Masks for Labor Day Travel

New York health officials are advising people to wear masks when in crowded public areas, as coronavirus cases are expected to spike following Labor Day weekend.

While no official social distancing or mask restrictions were set in place, New York City health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan told the Daily Mail that people should follow precautions when celebrating the end of summer, as the city’s hospitalization rate for the coronavirus rose by five percent this week compared to the previous week; 502 patients infected with the virus were admitted to hospitals.

“As cases rise, precautions become increasingly important, especially for our most vulnerable New Yorkers who are older, disabled, or have underlying health conditions,” Vasan said. “Staying up to date with Covid vaccines, along with other proven prevention tools — like masking, testing, and staying home when sick — continues to be our best defense against Covid and other respiratory viruses.”

These warnings come as two new variants of the coronavirus were detected: EG.5, called Eris, and BA.2.86, dubbed Pirola, which was found in New York City’s wastewater. Pirola causes concern, as it has more than 30 mutations, deeming it better at dodging vaccines and those with immunity. It is unknown if this strand causes a rise in mortality rate.

In addition to New York, the Pirola strand has been detected in Michigan, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.

In Los Angeles, the positive testing rate for the coronavirus increased by 16.5 percent for the seven-day average ending August 26, according to public health data. Mask mandates in hospital settings and other indoor high risk settings ended in April, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, according to Barbara Ferrer, the director of L.A. County’s Department of Health, mask mandates could possibly be reintroduced.

“There’s not that level of certainty with this pandemic,” Ferrer said. “I’m never going to say there’s not going to be a time when we all need to put our masks back on. [But] I am going to say we certainly don’t all need to put our masks back on now.”

Nationwide, hospitalizations related to the coronavirus are at a 21.6 percent increase, according to week-to-week data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), NBC News reported. However, the current level of hospitalizations is a third of what it was a year ago.

The most updated vaccine booster is expected to be approved by a CDC advisory panel scheduled to meet on September 12, but it is uncertain if this recent round of the vaccine booster will be effective against the two new variants detected.

178 Comments
  • frank says:

    The new variants are the cold, flu and hat fever…

  • Hitlers Bride says:

    Remember already proven the covid Vax killed more people. And already proven the be a useless injection

  • Masking for new yuk & californikate only says:

    So dr vascan summer ends Sept 22nd not the day after Labor Day moron look at the calendar and FYI masking does not work so kiss off! Hey lefty Ferrer masking has NOT Ben mandated so shut you chicken little the sky is falling crap! Only in californikate and new yuk do people become morons worse than any other part of the country masks don’t work and never have get over it! And cdc Cohen butt the f out we don’t want or need your leftist stupidity and hate!

  • Karen Dunleavy says:

    Never complied and never will. I live in a state that was better though. But there was Walmart and many places that tried to make me. I said no and ignored or did not go there.

  • Trending Today

    News

    Jeff Charles posted a photo of Rand Paul tonight mocking the new Senate dress code. He posed for a photo on the Capitol steps...

    News

    CNN’s Abby Phillip learned on Friday evening why you don’t try to challenge someone on-air without having all the facts. Phillip has seen more...

    News

    New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has signed an emergency declaration over an intrusion of saltwater into the Mississippi River that officials say could impact...

    News

    A Fulton County District Attorney Investigator shot herself accidentally on Friday outside of the Fulton County Courthouse. The Fulton County Sherriff’s Office in a...

    >