COVID spreading at high level in NY as new 2024 vaccines arrive for back to school

Most New York communities faced COVID-19 infections spreading at high levels in recent days as health officials pushed new vaccines targeting currently surging strains, such as KP.3.1.1, state data show.

Wastewater testing maps for New York lit up with red "high level" detections as of last week, as New Yorkers shed the virus at the highest amounts in cities from Rochester to Yonkers.

At the same time, emergency rooms in New York reported a plateau in COVID-19 visits in mid-August prior to an expected back-to-school uptick fueled by the cases showing up now in wastewater sampling.

Pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS are also now booking appointments for New Yorkers looking to get the new COVID-19 vaccines for 2024-25, with availability varying at sites across the state. Doses began rolling out after the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended the vaccines were safe and effective at limiting serious illness for everyone ages six months and older.

Is COVID surging in Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley?

With 1,141 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide as of Friday, that key metric had declined about 10% from the summer surge peak in mid-August. Emergency room visits for the illness also leveled out in mid-August, with the seven-day average hovering at about 350 from Aug. 1 to 17, the latest state data show.

But some of that leveling off stemmed from changes in the New York City area, including parts of the Hudson Valley, where the virus' strain on hospitals retreated from summer peaks. Meanwhile, parts of upstate, including the Rochester area, faced steady climbs in COVID-19 patients flowing to hospitals in recent days, state data show.

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A total of 175 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized as of Friday across the Finger Lakes, up about 64% from Aug. 1. state data show. By contrast, the Hudson Valley had 148 COVID-19 patients on Friday, down about 16% from its summer peak in early August.

How, when to get new COVID vaccines

New Yorkers seeking the new COVID-19 vaccines should visit walgreens.com and cvs.com websites, which include vaccine scheduling tools. Some regions listed Sept. 6 as the earliest date for getting the new vaccines, while others had availability sooner.

The federal vaccine booking website, vaccines.gov , is also undergoing an update to allow Americans to find and book appointments for the new COVID-19 vaccines.

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Local county health departments in New York also hold vaccine clinics for children and adults, with a focus on providing free shots to kids or uninsured and underinsured adults. For details in Westchester County, call 914-995-5800 . Monroe County's vaccine clinic hotline is 585-753-5150 .

And while most health insurance plans cover the cost of vaccines, officials suggest calling your health plan to confirm coverage. As CVS Health noted, the out-of-network cost of a COVID-19 vaccine could be up to $190, so checking on your health plan's specific coverage could be key to avoiding out-of-pocket charges.

Experts recommend getting annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines together in September or October for winter protection. But people at higher risk of severe illness — such as older New Yorkers above 65 and those of all ages with underlying health conditions — should consult with health providers regarding the timing of shots, health officials said.

"Decades of research show that vaccines prevent disease, save lives, and are safe and effective," state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement this month promoting the fall vaccination push.

But health officials struggled in recent years to convince New Yorkers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as only about 1.4 million, or 12% of, New Yorkers received the updated COVID-19 vaccine released last fall, state data show.

How to get free COVID at-home tests

U.S. households will soon be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov . The tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year, federal officials, noting the kits will become available at the end of September.

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USA TODAY Network contributed to this report

David Robinson is the New York State Team health care reporter for the USA TODAY Network. His more than 15-year investigative reporting career has included awards for coverage of the opioid epidemic, hospital and nursing home abuses, health inequality, COVID-19 and emergency response failures.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: COVID spreading at high level in NY as new 2024 vaccines arrive for back to school