Odds Of Coronavirus Exposure At Big LI Holiday Parties: Report

LONG ISLAND, NY — As coronavirus cases spike in nearly every part of the country, many are wondering how safe it is to travel right now. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaching, experts issued warnings.

According to the Suffolk County Health Department, traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoed this sentiment, saying airports, bus stations, train stations, public transport, gas stations and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces.

In addition, health officials advised people to keep festivities virtual or with only members of your own household.

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Georgia Tech University recently released a map shows the risk of risk level of attending an event, given the event size and location. The map estimates the chance that at least one person with COVID-19 will be present at an event. As of Monday, the data showed that at an event with 50 people in Nassau County, there is a 39 percent chance and in Suffolk County, there is a 37 percent chance. When lowered to 10 people, there is 9 percent chance in both counties.

The map is based on coronavirus case density and available testing. The map creators assumed there are five times more cases than are being reported in places where testing is not as widely available.

With New York officials expecting family gatherings for thanksgiving next Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has specifically cautioned against "living room spread."