Omicron pushes Suffolk test positivity rate to nearly 14% as holidays approach

Suffolk County reached a daily coronavirus test positivity rate of more 13.7% yesterday, as public health experts warn families to take precautions against an expanding surge of the coronavirus led by the omicron variant.

The current weekly average positivity rate in Suffolk County is 10.8%, compared to a 7.2% positivity rate during this same week last year — a 50% increase.

“A year ago, with the vaccine on the horizon, as we were experiencing that holiday surge, the hope was that we wouldn’t see another surge like this,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said during a press call today. “But unfortunately a year later, as we’re about to enter 2022, that surge is happening and it’s because of a new variant. And we have to adapt and adjust to that.”

The surge is “without question” powered by the omicron variant, Bellone said. The variant is now estimated to account for nearly three quarters of all new cases of the virus in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“And we are seeing that play out in long lines for testing, as the holiday season continues, as the New Year approaches,“ Bellone said.

The variant is also more likely to reinfect individuals and infect a fully vaccinated individual — also called a “breakthrough infection” — according to the CDC. There is not enough data to show if cases of the omicron cause a more — or less — severe illness. The current vaccines and booster shots are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death against the variant, according to the CDC.

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Bellone encouraged families to celebrate with “common sense” precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including wearing masks and limiting the amount of people you come in close contact with. 

Bellone said it is important to get fully vaccinated by the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines against the virus, and, if eligible, to get the booster shot for more protection. 

“The concern is if you’re not vaccinated or if you haven’t gotten that booster shot, but you should know your COVID status before you get together,” County Health Commissioner Gregson Pigott said today. “So the recommendation there is to at least have some kind of a rapid test or something that’s negative before you have a lot of people in the house.”

The demand for coronavirus testing has increased due to the rising number of cases. In response, Bellone said he will use emergency powers to expand testing sites in Suffolk County and open up new sites near areas with “significantly high” positivity rates. Sites at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach and in West Sayville will open Dec. 27, while a testing site in Sound Beach will open Jan 4. 

Bellone said the county will enforce Gov. Kathy Hochul’s guidance on mask wearing in indoor public spaces by educating and providing information to businesses and chambers of commerce. The policy requires that businesses require masks or proof of vaccination. The responsibility to enforce the requirement was delegated by the state to county health departments.

Bellone said the county is seeing “significant compliance” with the guidance. He said the county would not enforce the $1,000 penalty set by the state for violating the order.

Hochul announced yesterday she will make $65 million available to counties for coronavirus related expenses, including enforcing the mask policy. Bellone said he will use the money to ramp up the county’s testing efforts.

Also today, President Joe Biden said the federal government will purchase 500 million at-home coronavirus tests. He said a website will launch in January, where Americans can request them to be shipped to their house at no charge. 

Correction : The original version of this article mistakenly stated that the county would enforce the penalty set by the state for violating the indoor mask policy. Bellone said the county will not enforce the penalty.