LI's COVID-19 cases continue to drop

The number of new Long Island COVID-19 cases reported Saturday dipped below 1,000 for the first time since early December — before omicron surged. Today's newsletter also describes why pediatricians are on high alert for a condition affecting children who had COVID-19, and how Moderna's vaccine now has full approval from the FDA. Plus: The indoor mask mandate was extended. By Erin Serpico 'We expect the rates will continue to go down' A sign in Great Neck encourages mask wearing. Credit: Howard Simmons The number of positive test results on Saturday were the lowest since Dec. 5, as was the single-day positivity rate on Long Island, state health department data shows. "Barring any surprises, we expect the rates will continue to go down," Dr. David Hirschwerk, medical director of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, told Newsday's David Olson on Sunday. "There still is a fair amount of transmission, but it appears that each day there's less and less." Advertisements Experts usually focus on the seven-day positivity rate, and that rate for Long Island continued to fall to 8.24%, down from 8.68% on Friday and nearly 27% on Jan. 5. But the rate remains far higher than in the late spring and early summer, when it was under 1%. Hospitalizations also continued to decline. On Long Island, there were 1,116 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Saturday, compared with 1,221 on Friday and a winter peak of 2,254 on Jan. 11. The number of new positives reported today: 177 in Nassau, 210 in Suffolk, 1,445 in New York City and 5,115 statewide. And, ICYMI: The indoor mask mandate was extended. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday extended it for two more weeks; it had been set to expire on Tuesday. Advertisements Search a map of new cases and view charts like the one below showing the latest trends in vaccinations, testing, hospitalizations, deaths and more. This chart shows what percentage of coronavirus tests were positive for the virus on average each day over a seven-day period. See more coronavirus headlines below. Doctors on alert for condition that develops in kids after COVID-19 Pediatricians around Long Island are monitoring cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a rare but serious condition that emerges in some children weeks after they were infected with the coronavirus. U.S. gives full approval to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine The action by the Food and Drug Administration means the agency has completed the same rigorous, time-consuming review of Moderna's shot as dozens of other long-established vaccines. 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 Only in Newsday To mask or not in schools? Students offer their perspectives Students in some Long Island school districts are increasingly refusing to wear masks, a shift in a battle that largely has played out among parents at rallies and school board meetings. But the majority of students continue to follow the state's mandate, districts said. Here's what students are saying on the issue. If employers require vaccination, then what about boosters? Government guidance hasn't included booster shots in the definition of "fully vaccinated." That puts businesses that have adopted mandates on the spot. Advertisement Celebrations for Year of the Tiger are muted, but bring hope People across Asia prepared Monday for muted Lunar New Year celebrations amid concerns over the coronavirus and virulent omicron variant, even as increasing vaccination rates raised hopes that the Year of the Tiger might bring life back closer to normal. Newsday's Breaking News newsletter Get breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our email news alerts. SIGN UP Only in Newsday Traffic on Long Island roads, especially LIE, close to pre-pandemic levels Traffic on the LIE is just as heavy during the mornings and evenings in both directions as it was in 2019, before the pandemic, but motorists are traveling faster around midday, according to a traffic analyst. COVID-19 cases down 86% in past three weeks, Hochul says As the omicron wave continues to subside, "We are absolutely trending in the place we've wanted to get to for so long," Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday. Advertisement Two LI nurses accused of faking COVID-19 vaccination cards Authorities seized approximately $900,000 in cash with a ledger documenting profits in excess of $1.5 million from the alleged illegal activity, Suffolk County prosecutors said. 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. 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