Mackenzie Bean and Erica Carbajal

The omicron subvariant BA.5 is quickly gaining prevalence in the U.S. and now accounts for nearly 54 percent of all cases, according to the CDC's latest variant proportion update for the week ending July 2. 

On June 25, CDC estimates showed the strain accounted for about 37 percent of cases. It's closely related to omicron subvariant BA.4, which is estimated to account for nearly 17 percent of cases. BA.4 and BA.5 have become known as "sister variants" since they were first discovered in South Africa last winter. Collectively, they make up 70 percent of U.S. cases, estimates show.

Lifespire commemorated crossing its seventh decade of support to over 100,000 New Yorkers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities on November 29th, 2021.  

“We are 1,000 professionals working together in teams to provide remarkable services for a population that is growing at the rate of 3% annually. By blending professionalism with an empathetic agility, Lifespire helps to provide the highest quality of living to people supported,” stated Thomas Lydon, Chief Executive Officer. “The deep stress, anxiety and confusion that surrounds our situations has been relentless. But each person in Lifespire’s agency has taken serious steps to fill the gap by working together to gain greater awareness, to expand capacity and bring greater clarity to its mission.”  

Lifespire announced that Zahir Mohammed, a direct support professional with Lifespire, was a recipient of the Direct Support Professional Excellence Award from Community Care Rx. Community Care Rx honored the dedicated and compassionate individuals that comprise the Direct Support Professionals community. In light of the recent heath crisis created by the pandemic, Community Care Rx saw the incredible lengths direct support professionals (DSPs) went to ensure the safety, well-being and inclusion in the community of the people they support.

The award was presented at the luncheon held on December 9th, 2021 at the Muttontown Country Club in Muttontown, New York.