Health officials are fearing that the number of COVID-19 cases could skyrocket as people travel for the holidays.

Medical professionals and elected officials have recommended that everyone stay with their immediate families as much as possible - even the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says he spent Christmas without his daughters for the first time since they were born.

COVID-19 spikes occurred following Halloween and Thanksgiving, and experts say all signs are pointing to another uptick from the December holidays.

Dr. Mark Jarrett, with Northwell Health, says now is not the time for a trip - especially because vaccines could get the pandemic under control in the near future.

Long Island's positivity rate continues to climb, with the 7-day average in Suffolk being at 7.2% and Nassau being 5.9%.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is urging travelers to abide by the rules, though law enforcement will not be searching for violators.

Despite the warnings, the day before Christmas Eve saw the most U.S. air travel since the pandemic began.

New Yorkers who return to the state must quarantine for four days and then receive a negative COVID-19 test.