responses to Karissa Rodriguez
Covid-19 Statistics for New York
According to the New York Department of Health, the highest peak of Covid-19 cases occurred on January 7th, 2022, at 90,132 positive cases out of the 425,782 people tested; on a seven-day rolling average, 22.2% of cases tested were found to be positive. (Positive tests over time, by region and County, n.d.). This data can be found at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/positive-tests-over-time-region-and-county. Sadly, the highest daily rate of hospitalizations averaged was 684 on the week of 4/16/2021, and the highest daily rate of death averaged 768 on the week of 4/13/2021; both were averaged over seven days (Covid-19: Data, n.d.). This data can be found at https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data-totals.page. The morbidity rate of people hospitalized in New York related to Covid-19 is 59,211, accounting for 26.2% of all hospitalizations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). This data was accumulated at the beginning of the pandemic regarding the morbidity rate. Still, it has only increased over time as the long-term effects of Covid have impacted people, and the virus has mutated. The highest documented fatality rate for New York was 79,597 deaths, and 62,552 were recorded through a healthcare facility reporting system (Fatalities, n.d.). The link for the New York mortality rate is https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/fatalities-0. Initially, it may appear that rates were higher during other surges; however, as time went on and Covid had been researched further, testing became more readily available and was more commonly performed when people were exposed or were symptomatic, which could have been a factor in the increase of confirmed cases and other vital statistics.
Epidemiological Plan for Covid-19 and Related Factors
Epidemiologists must track trends when addressing a proper plan to combat a virus that has impacted different regions and demographics worldwide. There are many barriers to improving outcomes with Covid-19 because the virus mutated rapidly despite a fast track to immunizations and the fact that various populations were affected differently. Concerning plan implementation, contact tracing and recording data with confirmed positive cases are crucial to understanding success and failure rates when applying new protocols and treatments. In regards to New York, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) found that Black and Hispanic populations in higher poverty locations were at greater risk for hospitalization and death; this was due to lower rates of testing, higher percentages of positive results, barriers to testing and greater likelihood of community transmission. “The initial wave of COVID-19 in NYC demonstrated that persons who were older, had underlying medical conditions or resided in poorer neighborhoods, and racial and ethnic minority populations suffered disproportionately from SARS-Cov-2 infection and death” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020, para 13). Other significant risk factors that could lead to an increased risk of contracting the virus along with developing severe complications, including death, are as follows: obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung and kidney disease, diabetes, smoking, cancer, transplant patients, immunocompromised patients, and people on immunosuppressants (Cascella et al., 2023). All of these elements must be considered when devising a plan to promote positive outcomes.
Advanced Practice Nurse Plan to Adress Visible Trends
The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) plays a vital role in assisting the community with education, screening, and treatment. As mentioned, the Covid-19 virus was changing rapidly as different waves impacted people worldwide. As this occurred, guidelines for care were modified. Densely populated neighborhoods were always at higher risk of contracting the virus, especially in locations like New York. The adaption of treatment modalities was constantly being adjusted to fit the presentation of the virus and the populations at most significant risk for health complications. The initial plan to address and deter viral spread was for people to social distance, wear masks in public, perform proper hand hygiene, and stay 6 feet away from other people in public. People were also encouraged to test and quarantine if they were exposed. Once this occurred, if positive, contract tracing was implemented (Cascella et al., 2023). Vaccine administration was also recommended. Early treatment intervention with antivirals such as molnupiravir, paxlovid, and remdesivir, and newer therapies like monoclonal antibodies were also implemented (Cascella et al., 2023). Lifestyle modification to improve overall health, compliance with well-visit appointments, obtaining proper nutrition, refraining from smoking and substance use, and being physically active are all ways to promote a healthy lifestyle and possibly prevent catching Covid or dealing with dangerous complications if the virus is contracted. While the APRN must modify their treatment to the current guidelines and individual disease presentation, patient education and early intervention will always be top priorities for optimizing care.
References
Cascella, M., Rajnik, M., Aleem, A., et al. (2023). Features, evaluation, and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19). In: StatPearls . Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Covid-19 outbreak – New York City, February 29–June 1, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6946a2.htm
Covid-19: Data. COVID-19: Data Trends and Totals – NYC Health. (n.d.). https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data-totals.page
Fatalities. Department of Health. (n.d.). https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/fatalities-0
Positive tests over time, by region and County. Department of Health. (n.d.). https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/positive-tests-over-time-region-and-county
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