Suffolk County has provided an update on COVID-19 statistics for August 12, 2024. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hospital admission rates and the proportion of COVID-19 deaths among total fatalities are currently key metrics for surveillance.
On August 12, 2024, the daily hospitalization report for Suffolk County indicated that 94 individuals were hospitalized. Of those, 62% were admitted due to COVID-19 or related complications. There were 29 new admissions since the previous report, while 31 patients were discharged. Currently, 8 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It’s important to note that hospitals have ceased reporting data to the New York State Department of Health on weekends and holidays.
As for fatalities, Suffolk County has reached a total of 5,323 deaths since March 2020, reflecting an increase of 1 since the last update. The annual fatalities are as follows: 2,311 in 2020, 1,507 in 2021, 1,015 in 2022, 318 in 2023, and 177 for 2024 so far.
Additionally, the COVID-19 case tracker as of August 10, 2024, reported 131 new cases, equating to 8.6 cases per 100,000 people, with a 7-day average of 13.8 cases, which includes both PCR and antigen tests. Since September 1, 2023, positive results encompass all confirmed positive tests, including first infections and reinfections, with the previous reinfection dashboard archived.
In terms of vaccination, the department provides COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured and underinsured patients through New York State’s Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults programs. Those with insurance that covers the COVID-19 vaccine are urged to get vaccinated at their local pharmacies, healthcare providers, or federally qualified health centers.
COVID-19 testing and wastewater surveillance information is also available through the New York State health department.