BUFFALO, N.Y. — With COVID-19 cases declining globally, infectious disease specialists at the University at Buffalo remain cautious.

What You Need To Know

  • COVID cases are declining globally
  • Doctors credit vaccinations and immunity
  • Experts are keeping a close eye on omicron subvariants 
  • People with health issues are still encouraged to wear masks

“We’re certainly headed in a great direction,” said Dr. Thomas Russo, University at Buffalo professor and chief of infectious diseases. “But I think certain groups of individuals still need to remain cautious and those individuals at higher risk are developing severe disease and bad outcomes.”

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States has seen an 83.72% decrease in positive COVID cases between Feb. 14-21. While that is a steep decline, the positivity rate in Western New York is at 3.9%.

Dr. Russo said experts are monitoring the presence of omicron subvariants BA.1 and BA.2, but at this time they do not pose any significant threat to people.

“Obviously this pandemic has been fluid and we may learn something further as we move forward but presently right now, BA.2 doesn’t look like it causes more disease,” said Russo. “And the immunity we’re building from prior infection from omicron, at least – BA.1 – and vaccination, looks like it’s holding up.”

He encouraged people who are immunocompromised or unvaccinated to continue wearing masks in public despite the statewide mask mandate being lifted.