At 8.27%, Long Island Has the Highest COVID Reinfection Rate Statewide

According to new data, ending as of Nov. 21, Long Island had the highest rate of reinfection at 10.2 per 100,000, followed by New York City at 8.6.

“As the Omicron variant emerged in New York State, the number of people who have been infected with COVID for a second time has increased dramatically,” the health department said.

A reinfection means a person becomes infected with COVID, enough time passes, and later becomes infected again. A person is considered to have been reinfected if they test positive again 90 days or more after their first positive test, health officials said.

The news came as Gov. Kathy Hochul also updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress in combatting COVID-19.

Long Island’s positivity rate was the highest statewide Tuesday at 8.27 percent, followed by New York City at 8.09 percent, and compared to a statewide average of 7.37 percent.

“As November comes to a close, New Yorkers should remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy,” Hochul said. “Be sure to stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”

The season has brought what some have called a trifecta of illness: According to the National Public Health Information Coalition, “a trifecta of COVID, flu and RSV is forcing more hospitals into crisis.”

Hochul urged New Yorkers to take common prevention measures, including staying up to date on vaccines and practicing proper hygiene, to protect from Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, the flu and COVID-19, and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals.

Flu is spreading quickly, with the number of laboratory-confirmed cases statewide and hospitalizations having spiked recently, she said.

Hochul reminded New Yorkers that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against COVID-19 and said all residents should got their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters.