Rachel Silberstein reports in the Times Union that New York's current COVID-19 wave is the largest since the end of the federal public health emergency in April, 2023. The JN.1 variant is the new form of the virus, In the state, more than 3,200 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Jan. 5, which was up 48 percent from the 2,250 that were hospitalized before Christmas, according to the New York Department of Health. The story says, "Wastewater viral levels, in particular, have increased rapidly in recent weeks, with COVID-19 presence estimated at 27 percent higher than it was a year ago." The good news from the Centers for Disease Control is that emergency room visits are 21 percent lower than they were at the same time last year. Some hospitals are now requiring masks again, because of the uptick in COVID-19, the flu and RSV. New York Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "Because of potential health impacts and hospital capacity concerns, New Yorkers, especially those not feeling well or most susceptible to illness, should consider wearing a mask in crowded, indoor settings to help avoid getting sick or getting others sick." Read more about this story in the Times Union.