The Kraken is powering New York COVID hospitalizations to their highest level in nearly a year. Is it a sign of what’s coming for the rest of the country?

(Credit: J. Conrad Williams Jr.—Newsday RM via Getty Images)

New York COVID hospitalizations are at their highest level in nearly a year just after a new, ultra-transmissible COVID variant XBB.1.5, known as Kraken, achieved dominance in the northeast U.S. 

Current in-state COVID hospitalizations are near 4,000—the highest level since February, according to the New York State Department of Health.