Dr. Stephanie Silvera Comments on Uptick of COVID-19 Cases

There has recently been an uptick in COVID-19 cases, and officials say it’s likely the result of the BA.2 subvariant. As reported, it is likely the rising numbers have come as many public events have returned to places like New York City.

This is what many New Yorkers wanted to see, events back open, life back in the city, but Dr. Stephanie Silvera, Professor in the Public Health Department, says just be cautious because right now numbers are on the rise.

They reached a low point around the first week of March. There were about 600 new cases per day. Now, New York is around 1,600 new cases per day,” Dr. Silvera said.

Dr. Silvera says even though you’re more likely to have mild-to-moderate symptoms if you’re vaccinated, doctors still don’t know the long-term impact the virus will have on people’s bodies.

“This virus can be associated with an increased risk of diagnoses of diabetes, particularly in children. If you’re going to be in a group setting, where you don’t know other people’s vaccination or COVID status, my recommendation would be to continue to wear a mask, particularly if you or someone in your family is at higher risk for the more severe outcome,” Dr. Silvera said.