COVID19 2021-12-02 Updates on Variants, Booster Doses, Contact Tracing, Case Investigations

The Tompkins County Health Department is sharing a series of COVID-19 updates:

• Omicron, a new COVID-19 variant of concern
• Recommendations for all eligible to receive a booster dose when they are able
• Potential delays in case investigation and contact tracing due to an increase in positive cases.
• TCHD will hold a COVID-19 Virtual Update on December 9 at 4:30pm (https://youtu.be/fhEyJQKZUoo) to provide details on the pandemic response and answer questions from the public

New COVID-19 Variant:

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. The first case in the U.S. was identified in California on December 1 and New York State Governor Hochul announced on December 2 that a positive case sequenced for Omicron was recently in New York City. The CDC and NYS Department of Health are closely monitoring the details of this new variant as they become available. TCHD will continue to monitor any updates from the CDC and NYS and communicate to the public. Information will continue to be published on the TCHD website as it becomes available. 

Prevention strategies TCHD continues to promote to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including variants:

• Everyone 5 years and older can protect themselves by getting fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccination is free of charge.
  • For those who are eligible, get a booster dose when you are able. Booster doses help maximize protection from COVID-19
• Tompkins County currently has a mask advisory in effect: everyone is encouraged to wear a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.
• If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
• Maintain physical distance from others when in public.

Booster Doses:

With the emergence of the Omicron variant, CDC has strengthened its recommendation for everyone 18 years and older to get a COVID-19 booster dose. Booster doses are authorized for all individuals 18 years and older who received the Pfizer or Moderna initial vaccine series at least six months ago or the J&J vaccine at least two months ago. The Tompkins County Health Department encourages all eligible Tompkins County residents to receive a booster dose as soon as they are able. Boosters will help maximize protection from COVID-19, extend the vaccine’s durability, and protect our community against the virus. It is approved to mix and match mRNA vaccines. For example, individuals who were initially vaccinated with Moderna may get a Pfizer booster.

Booster dose appointments are available at local pharmacies, state vaccination sites, and some medical offices. Walk-ins may be welcome at pharmacies and medical offices, but please call ahead to check on availability. 2-1-1 (877-211-8667) is available during regular business hours Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm to assist individuals in navigating and registering for appointments but cannot guarantee an appointment. Booster appointments may be more widely available in neighboring counties.

Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director stated, “While it is concerning to hear about another COVID variant, we know how to respond to decrease the spread of the disease and react to new challenges. We are better equipped than we were two years ago, and we have tools to prevent illness; get vaccinated, get tested, and wear a mask while around others in public.”

“Our county continues to have high vaccination rates and we are administering the second dose to hundreds of children this week. In the 5-11 year old population for our county, 46% are vaccinated with the first dose and about 10% have received the second dose. These high vaccination rates are continuing to prevent severe disease, our hospitalization numbers have remained stable at single-digits even as cases have increased.”

Contact Tracing and Case Investigations

TCHD is reporting that similar to the rest of New York State, Tompkins County is experiencing an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases.  Due to this increase, the public should expect delays of 1-2 days in hearing from the Health Department case investigators and New York State contact tracers. If you receive a positive test result, please isolate at home. If you are informed by a close contact that you may have been in contact with a positive individual, please monitor yourself for symptoms. More information about symptoms and how to isolate is available on our website.”

Recent cases include k-12 students and staff, higher education students and staff, some are related to recent travel, and household exposure. TCHD has not identified large clusters of cases and is sharing that due to the level of community spread, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.

Testing is free for Tompkins County residents at the Cayuga Health Sampling Site at the Ithaca Mall.

If you are travelling, domestically or internationally, follow CDC guidance, including:

• Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated.
• Know the COVID situation in your destination.
• Wear a well-fitting mask over the nose and mouth when indoors, including airplanes.
• If you must travel and are not fully vaccinated, get tested before and after your trip.

TCHD is also reminding the community that it is not too late to get your flu vaccine. It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine every year. Contact your local pharmacy to get a flu vaccine.