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View in browser Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – Dec 2 Dec 2 READ IN APP Welcome to the Northeast edition of Outbreak Outlook! It is only available to paid subscribers. If you wish to become a paid subscriber and access region-specific information, please click the Subscribe now button below. Thanks for reading! -Caitlin Subscribed Respiratory Diseases Influenza Flu remains low, but is increasing, particularly in New York. In New York, influenza-like illness is at 2.3% of all outpatient visits, and emergency department visits have risen sharply to 1.2%, more than doubling from 0.5%. Hospitalizations for flu have increased as well, to 0.8 hospitalizations per 100,000 people, from 0.5. In New York City, flu ED visits increased 142% last week, jumping from 0.6% of ED visits to 1.6% of ED visits. Hospitalizations show a similar spike, more than doubling to 0.7% of hospitalizations. Northeast: Outpatient influenza-like illness (%) % of visits to the doctor that are for fever and cough or sore throat Pennsylvania reports 1.5% of outpatient visits for ILI, essentially unchanged from the week prior. ED visits climbed to 0.5% from 0.3%. New Jersey and Connecticut are also showing clear increases: ED visits increased substantially over the past week, to 0.9% and 0.8%, respectively. Hospitalizations more than doubled in Connecticut, but remain low overall (at 0.5). Several more states are showing slow and steady increases: ED visits are hovering around 0.4% in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Things are still really quiet in Maine, which had a stable outpatient ILI of 0.9%, and ED visits at a low 0.2%. Similarly, Vermont is in good shape, with ED visits down to 0.1%, from 0.4% a week ago. Northeast: ED visits for influenza (%) % of visits to the emergency department that are for influenza Note: Data on outpatient ILI was not available for Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. COVID-19 Things are still in pretty good shape across the Northeast, though Covid-19 is starting to pick up in a few places. Wastewater activity is low and increasing at the regional level. In Vermont, wastewater activity is high, with viral concentrations more than doubling in the past week, and ED visits rising from 0.5 to 0.8%. Wastewater activity is low and increasing in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maine. ED visits have crept up as well in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania to 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively. In Maine, ED visits held steady at 0.3%. Northeast: ED visits for Covid-19 (%) % of visits to the emergency department that are for Covid-19 Wastewater activity is low but decreasing in New Hampshire; ED visits in the state also held roughly steady (at 0.5%). In the rest of the region (Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and New Jersey) wastewater activity is very low, and ED visits range from 0.2-0.4%, mostly stable or declining. Severe illness (hospitalization) is improving in both Connecticut (at 1.6 per 100,000, down from 2.0) and New York (at 1.2, down from 1.4). Northeast: Covid-19 wastewater concentration Wastewater concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RSV RSV remains very low across the region. ED visits range from 0% in Maine to 0.2% in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New Hampshire, ED visits increased this past week. Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine report fairly stable and very low rates of ED visits (<0.1%). Nevertheless, hospitalizations are increasing in both New York and Connecticut (though they remain low at 0.3 and 0.2 per 100,000 people). Northeast: ED visits for RSV (%) % of visits to the emergency department that are for RSV Other Bugs Many other causes of cold- and flu-like illnesses are spreading widely right now. Sniffles abound. Adenovirus has increased rapidly in the past week, and is now higher than it has been in the past year. Parainfluenza is nearing its second peak of the year. Rhinoviruses/enteroviruses are still quite elevated, but are gently declining from their peak in September. Human coronaviruses are low, but increasing. Stomach Bugs Norovirus test positivity decreased slightly this past week, but is an overall increasing trend. Test positivity is currently at 12% nationally. The Northeast is doing quite well: norovirus held roughly stable at 6.4%. Norovirus weekly percent positive tests (%) Data reported to NREVSS Food recalls The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items: New: Grated Pecorino Romano cheese, sold under various labels, including Boar’s Head, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Ambriola, and Pinna at major retailers, including Wegman’s (more info) Prairie Farms Gallon Fat Free Milk (more info) Dried Whole Smelts Salted (Korushka) (more info) Previously Reported: Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar, sold by Face Rock Creamery exclusively at the Face Rock Flagship store in Oregon (more info) Organic Supergreens Powder Mix and Organic Moringa Leaf Powder sold under Food to Live label (more info) Organic Moringa Leaf Powder sold under Africa Imports label (more info) ByHeart Infant Formula recall reported last week has expanded to include more batches due to potential botulism contamination (more info). Peach salsa sold under the Snowfruit label (more info) First and Last tomato sauces, distributed in Connecticut and Massachusetts (more info) Oven Dried Fish distributed to customers of African Food on Wheels in the Bronx, NY only (more info) In other news Suspected botulism cases following DIY injections. According to a note published in the CDC’s MMWR journal, over the summer, 3 individuals in the U.S. (in New York, Texas, and Wisconsin) experienced severe illness from suspected botulism, after self-injecting botulinum toxin purchased online (for cosmetic purposes). The New York State Department of Health and the NYC Health Department have issued a joint statement warning healthcare providers about these cases, and also stating that the number of affected people is 10. It is not clear if the discrepancy in totals is an accident or if additional cases have been identified by the Health Department. Botulinum toxin should only be purchased from a licensed seller, and injected by a licensed and trained medical professional. My Northeast subscribers received the Southern edition by accident last week. My mistake!

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SOLD FOR $50 MILLION

MAYOR TOM ROACH, COUNCILMAN JOHN MARTIN AND COUNCILWOMAN JEN PUJA SAY FAIRWELLS. 

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. December 2, 2025:

The Common Council enabled the Galleria City rebuild of the former Galleria Mall to go forward last night with all Councilmembers lauding the project as necessary for the city to grow in the future.

The council approved selling the city-owned garages to LCOR the developer for a sum of $50 Million to be financed, and leased back for a 3 year period.

 Councilman  (and Mayor Elect) Justin Brasch  said the demolition of the garages would cost the city 25 to 30 Million dollars, which the developer will  now pay. Brasch remarked the city was assured of more affordable housing units than first provided by previous plans, and 40% more open space and that now it was time to “move on to the site plan.”

Councilman John Martin said the approval of the sale of the garages , in addition the city was offering the developer a density bonus, providing the new project with incentives for proving more affordable housing and allowing higher occupancy  buildings in return for more affordable housing units.

Councilwoman  Jen Puja noted the developer has agreed to a Project Labor Agreement that would include union and local contractors on the project.

Council President Victor Presser noted it had taken 2 years to get to this compromise, but emphasized there is “more to do” to decide what should be on that site. She said “without this rezoning, the project is dead.”

Councilman Jeremiah Frie-Pearson stressed the new Galleria would be a $2 billion project and would greatly benefit the residents of the city.

Councilman Richard Payne said the go-ahead on the project was “in the best interests of the city,” but cautioned this agreement was a “Memorandum of Understanding, and “there was  more to be negotiated.

At the beginning of the Council Meeting, John Martin Jen Puja and Mayor Roach announced they were leaving the Common Council, Mr. Martin after 14 years,Ms.. Puja to move into higher office as County Legislator for District 5 and the Mayor as newly elected County Clerk. You can hear their final addresses in the first  15 minutes of the video of last night’s council meeting at

https://whiteplainsny.new.swagit.com/videos/362255

In a public hearing on the new garage for White Plains Hospital, after several townspeople expressed concern that there was not adequate public parking on Post Road for the residences along East Post Road,  and hoped the public would be able to park in the new 8-story garage planned, William Null the Chairman of the Board of White Plains Hospital  said there would be no public parking allowed in the new garage. He said 180 spaces would be reserved for residents of Brookfield Commons, a White Plains Housing Authority site, (now about to begin its third rebuild at 159 Lexington, with two more to go).

The Council closed the public hearing of the Hospital garage and approved the project.

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GOVERNOR HOCHUL URGES CAUTION AS NOR’EASTER IS FORECAST TO DELIVER FIRST MAJOR SNOWFALL FOR MAJORITY OF NEW YORK

Winter Storm Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories in Effect for Many Areas North of New York City

Storm Will Cause Difficult and Potentially Dangerous Commutes Tuesday; Avoid Unnecessary Travel if Possible

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

Governor Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to exercise caution ahead of a Nor’easter system forecast to bring the first major snowfall for much of the state beginning early Tuesday morning. Winter Storm Watches and Warnings are in effect for parts of the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions where snow totals could surpass 7 inches.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for parts of the Western New York, Central New York, Finger Lakes and Mid-Hudson regions which are expected to receive less than 6 inches of snow. The storm is expected to create difficult driving conditions during the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. New Yorkers should do their best to avoid unnecessary travel on roadways, however if unable to, it will be important to leave extra time for traveling and always remember to avoid crowding plows when they are servicing roadways.

“While New Yorkers are no strangers to snow, and preparedness is key to staying safe on the roads and at home,” Governor Hochul said. “Ahead of this snowfall, I’m encouraging New Yorkers to make a plan – stock your car with safety essentials and leave extra time when traveling. State agencies stand ready to assist New Yorkers throughout the storm and our plow crews will be out keeping our roadways safe, but we encourage everyone to be weather aware and closely monitor the forecast.”

Snow is possible statewide, with the highest totals across the Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions. Accumulations of four to eight inches of snow are expected, with isolated totals of up to one foot possible in the higher elevations of the Catskills. Snowfall totals will depend on elevation and daytime temperatures will be near freezing.

In addition to preparing for snow, New Yorkers should also prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees.

Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. Cold Weather tips from the Department of Health can be found here; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia can be found here; information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be found here; information on the proper use of generators can be found here; safe winter driving tips can be found here.

The New York State Department of Labor advises workers and employers to engage in extreme cold weather best practices such as:

• Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.
• Ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.
• Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.

More Information on best practices for working in cold weather can be found here.

Winter Storm Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued, and New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov.

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

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WPCNR Thanksgiving Portfolio, all photos by WPCNR:

On this Thanksgiving, let us remember the band of hardy intrepid souls who crossed an ocean in a boat no  bigger than a large Chris Craft and settled in an unforgiving landscape and started a country in the cold landscape of New England.

They were immigrants.

They were helped by a native American Indian — Squanto–who welcomed them, without Squanto’s compassion they would not have survived. And, remember, those pilgrims were immigrants.

A salute to this brave band. A salute, too, to the indian who accepted them without visas, without jobs, with no background checks no green cards. No border wall. No cages for children. No fear on the part of the Indians and their humanitarian leader, Squanto

The pilgrims sailed into a bay, dropped anchor and just carved out a living after living in incredible conditions in a ship’s hold for weeks, crossing the storm-tossed North Atlantic. Here are some views of America’s hometown by the WPCNR Roving Photographer.

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Plymouth Rock Landing. Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The Mayflower II. Plymouth Harbor.

Statue of Squanto welcoming the Pilgrim Settlers. Plymouth.

Governor William Bradford Statue on the Shores of Plymouth Harbor

“Plymouth Rock,” The landing place of the pilgrims.

Settlers Home, left, circa 1690.

Church, Plymouth late 1700s. .

The Jury: Old Burial Ground, Plymouth. Last resting place of the pilgrims overlooking Plymouth Harbor. The sacrifices, bravery and perseverance of these persons stand as examples to Americans today.