experts worry a spike in infections will send more people into hospitals that are already under siege. here in new york's long island jewish hospital, doctors are braces for more cases. what are some of your concerns going into winter? >> as people now are gathering for the holidays and being inside, these new variants spread very easily, we know they're very contagious. much more contagious than delta even. we know that there are a lot of super spreader events in colleges right now that are happening, so all those college kids are going to come home and spread covid to their families. >> reporter: it comes as more than 100 athletes across professional football, basketball, and hockey teams teiv t w for covid or were exposed. more than 70 nfl players alone, including cleveland browns quarterback baker mayfield, along with his head coach. and l.a. rams wide receiver odell beckham jr. >> there's been a substantial increase in our positive cases