Medical professionals expect COVID numbers to rise after holiday weekend

There is concern in the medical community that with the rise of the COVID-19 omicron subvariants, holiday gatherings could trigger another surge.

 This year, Easter, Passover, and Ramadan celebrations overlap, and many are planning to get together with family.

 “While we are remembering that this is the first time we are able to possibly celebrate with family in the last few years. I think we want to remember to do it safely,” said Dr. Frederick Davis, LI Jewish Medical Center.

One Plainview resident Meryl Annibale says she hasn’t seen her family in three years and plans to have small gatherings during the holiday weekend.

Many say that with the availability of rapid tests, the confidence of having gatherings safely has increased.

Medical professionals expect infection numbers to rise a bit after the holiday. They hope that with vaccinations and other precautions, any new cases won't be nearly as severe as those seen in the first wave.