Get tested if you went to NYC event, Hochul says

A Minnesota resident who was at a convention at the Javits Center last month has tested positive for the COVID-19 omicron variant, Gov. Kathy Hochul said, urging others who were there to get tested. Today's newsletter also includes stories about Long Island's positivity rates compared to those in New York City and what to know about President Biden's new plan to tackle the virus. By Erin Serpico Amid new omicron case, Hochul urges those at Javits event to get tested Gov. Kathy Hochul at a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday. Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor The person from Minnesota who tested positive for the variant had attended the Anime NYC 2021 convention, Hochul said. He was tested for the virus on Nov. 24 in Minnesota after developing symptoms. The governor urged anyone who was at Javits between Nov. 18 and Nov. 22 to get tested for the virus. Advertisements Hochul was notified Thursday morning by Minnesota health officials that the man was infected with the omicron variant, classified by the World Health Organization as a "variant of concern." She said his symptoms since have subsided. Officials have a list of the people who attended the event and will be contacting them, she said. All attendees had to be vaccinated to get in. Hochul, during a press briefing, tried to reassure people not to panic, saying the state has many more resources to rely on, such as vaccines, which it lacked when the pandemic broke out in early 2020. The governor said, as of now, there are "no confirmed cases in the state of New York. However, we are very cognizant of the fact that it is very likely soon that someone is going to test positive for this. We are ready, prepared. We're not sounding the alarms. We are not overreacting to this." The U.S. recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant on Wednesday in a vaccinated traveler who returned to California from a trip to South Africa. Advertisements The number of new positives reported today: 890 in Nassau, 1,079 in Suffolk, 2,364 in New York City and 11,300 statewide. The map below shows the concentration of new cases around the Island. This map shows COVID-19 case totals in communities across Long Island, with Suffolk data as of Tuesday and Nassau data as of Monday. Search that map, and view charts that show the latest local trends in vaccinations, testing, hospitalizations, deaths and more. See more coronavirus headlines below. Pushing COVID-19 boosters, Biden says 'we need to be ready' President Joe Biden on Thursday appealed for Americans to get their boosters and get behind his plan to tackle the new omicron variant through wider availability of vaccines and shots, but without new major restrictions on daily life. NYC safer than Long Island? COVID-19 numbers say so Long Island's COVID-19 positivity level is more than double the rate in New York City, once a global epicenter of the pandemic, state data shows. To our community: Newsday readers support our strong local journalism by subscribing. Please show you value this important work by becoming a subscriber now. Subscribe for $1 At Vaxmobile, demand rises for COVID shots The mobile unit was fully booked for its 30 slots Monday when it visited Baldwin High School. On Wednesday, a line formed outside the bus when it opened at 10 a.m. in Island Park, hospital officials said.  SARS-CoV-2, like all viruses, constantly changing, experts say "Some viruses mutate more than others," said Dr. Betty Diamond, director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, referring to COVID-19's new variant, omicron. Advertisement LI company rolls out COVID test that can detect omicron A Stony Brook company that uses DNA expertise for diagnostic, drug development and anti-counterfeiting applications said it will offer an updated version of its COVID-19 test that can detect omicron among other variants. Newsday's Breaking News newsletter Get breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our email news alerts. SIGN UP Audit: Fraud scant in federal small-business COVID aid Just 2% of the Economic Injury Disaster Loans and EIDL Advance Grants went to questionable recipients, a federal audit found. Isles resume playing games Thursday night The Isles practiced Wednesday and will play the scheduled game Thursday night against the Sharks at UBS Arena. Advertisement Omicron unravels travel industry's plans for a comeback Tourism businesses that were just finding their footing after nearly two years of devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic are being rattled again as countries throw up new barriers to travel in an effort to contain the omicron variant. Suozzi: Hochul could 'do a better job' on COVID-19 The congressman spoke on his first day of campaigning for governor; Hochul camp defends her record. Hundreds of NYC correction officers face suspension New York City's troubled jail system is facing more turmoil: the suspension of potentially hundreds of corrections officers for failing to meet a Tuesday night deadline to get vaccinated against COVID-19. NYC: About 45% of requests for vaccine exemption granted Exemption filings, about 12,400 in total, seek a "reasonable accommodation" on the basis of medical condition or religious objection to the mandate, which was announced Oct. 20.  FDA panel narrowly backs COVID-19 pill from Merck A panel of U.S. health advisers narrowly backed the benefits of a closely watched COVID-19 pill from Merck, setting the stage for likely authorization of the first drug that Americans could take at home to treat the virus. Advertisement Sign up for more newsletters You can cancel anytime How are we doing? We're always looking for ways to make newsletters better for you, and would love your feedback on how Tracking the Coronavirus could be improved. Email your thoughts, suggestions, or complaints to: anthony.bottan@newsday.com View this email in your browser Copyright © 2021 Newsday. All rights reserved. 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