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IN ONE WEEK WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL EXPERIENCES 59 ADMISSIONS (81%)OF 72 ADMITTED ALSO HAVE COVID

WPCNR COVID SURVEILLANCE. Statistics from NY COVID TRACKER. Observations & Analysis By John F. Bailey. August 21, 2023.

Last week ended Saturday August 19 was the sixth week in a row that new covid cases in Westchester rose. A total of 451 new covid cases were reported by the New York State Health Department this morning through Saturday.

The county averaged 7.5 new  cases a day for those 7 days per 100,000 of population. Westchester has 1,004,000 people. Multiply 7.5 by 10.004  and we find the county saw  75 new cases a day (lab-verified).

That is a new case  growth last week of 527 a week, or 2, 108 for the month of August pace.  So far in August, Westchester has seen 1,313 new cases of covid. In three weeks This means 423 new cases in the first week of August have spread covid to  at least 3 other persons.

Covid testing labs have done 3,874 tests of persons seeking lab confirmation of their covid positives. That means the county is only doing about 553 lab confirmation tests a day.

When you consider that Westchester has a  1,00,4,000 population and an average positive rate of lab covid tests conducted last week of 10.9%,, I believe this means there are a lot more covid positives out there socializing, going to work, going to entertainments, the beach, pools. Many of them are not practicing social distancing  or at the very least getting a lab test to confirm they are not positive, the spread of covid cases maybe 10.9% of the County population right now. Ten percent of 1,004,000 ( the county population is  100,000 people with covid.

I have pointed out before that if you were testing 2,500 to 3,000 Westchesterites a day  as the county was doing in  August 2022 a year ago this wek you might find at a 10% positive rate, that would produce 300 a day. New cases but last week we had 451 new cases. So obviously there’s a lot more “spreading” going on.

The policy of antigen home testing has created a situation where persons testing positive are not making sure or not wanting to believe they are positive for possibility of quarantining  or losing work days.

Until testing is reinstalled at restaurants, venues,  workplaces, entertainment, the disease will continue to grow. This will happen big time in September when schools reopen. Vaccinations & boosters for covid  available for students age appropriate  must be brought up to date otherwise with August 2023 on track to deliver a possible 2,108 new cases for the month, and who knows how many in the school population have covid now. No one knows.

The failure to monitor and report covid cases in the schools at the beginning of the last school year that was lifted by the State Education Department was not wise.

All school districts are in the dark as to what they can expect by the little reported rise in covid over the last 6 weeks.

Last September in 2022, in Westchester County, 3,546 covid cases reported in September, after covid vaccinations had reduced cases last August by 40% to 6,325 from 10,398 in July 22

What will the cases run this September?, I believe we are in for a very unhealthy situation. It is imperative testing resume in the schools as a precautionary measure to prevent spreading of covid because of the rise infections obvious in August which may  be possibly disasterously undercounted by state policy towards the disease.

How bad is the spread? People are not afraid of it or being careful.

Another factor, the midweek number of positives is growing strong.

Last week in the County the numbers Sunday through Saturday mounted in midweek. Sunday (40)  Monday(78), Tuesday (86), Wednesday (92–highest single day since med-February), Thursday (69), Friday (89) and Saturday (60)

White Plains Hospital Medical Center last week of 75 persons admitted to beds in White Plains Hospital,it was found 81% had covid in addition to the condition they were admitted.

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Post this link to your browser to see the highlights of the July 17 Forum at White Plains Library on racism, hate incidents in schools and anti-semitism in Westchester Schools, organized by NY State Senator Shelley Mayer. Video by John Bailey at the scene.

http://www.wpcommunitymedia.org/people-to-be-heard/07272023-507

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JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS ASSEMBLYMAN BURDICK  ON ALBANY ISSUES AHEAD:

ENERGY, INFLATION, GOVERNOR’S POWER TO CALL AN EMERGENCY, AID TO EDUCATION STABILITY AND MORE

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WHITE PLAINS, NY, August 16, 2023 –From United Way. (Edited)

The White Plains community resource center for United Way’s 211 Helpline, which serves the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Adirondack regions, has reported a 20 percent surge in call volume from January to June 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

Of the call increase, there is a rise in calls related to income support (up 39%), food insecurity (up 37%), transportation (up 71%), and employment (up 27%). These increases continue the unprecedented increase in call volume, which began during the pandemic and continued throughout 2021 and 2022.

As the economic landscape shifts, more individuals and families are contacting 211 to access information and assistance in these critical areas. The dedicated team of call specialists at the White Plains community resource center has worked tirelessly to address each caller’s needs with empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to finding the best possible solutions.

This upswing in calls underscores the critical role that 211 plays as a lifeline for community members seeking essential support and resources.

The 211 Helpline is a crucial hub for connecting individuals and families in need with vital social services and resources, serving as a one-stop destination for information on housing, healthcare, food assistance, employment opportunities, and more. The notable increase in call volume reflects the evolving and pressing needs of communities across the region, especially amid ongoing challenges.

From left to right: Cassandra Rajcumar, 211 Director of Programs and Services; State Senator Peter Harckham, UWWP President and CEO Tom Gabriel, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, United Way’s Chief Information and Referral Officer Lini Jacob, and Rachel Estroff, Chief of Staff for State Senator Shelly Mayer.

“We are seeing a clear reflection of the dynamic nature of community needs through the rise in calls to our White Plains 211 Helpline community resource center,” said Lini Jacob, (second frrom right, above)United Way’s Chief Information and Referral Officer who manages the White Plains 211 Helpline community resource center.

“This increase is a testament to the essential role that 211 plays in connecting individuals with the resources they require to overcome challenges and improve their quality of life.”

The White Plains community resource center’s ability to efficiently handle the increased call volume can be attributed to its dedicated staff, robust technology infrastructure, and strong partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and service providers. Together, they form a united front in the fight against food insecurity, financial instability, and other pressing issues facing our communities.

The 211 Helpline in New York State is a public-private partnership. It is funded by New York State, local municipalities, and a third by local United Ways. This year the NYS Legislature awarded $2.4 million to the state’s 211 Helpline network to ensure that these community resource centers continue to connect individuals with health and human service needs to the right resources.

Senator Peter Harckham (District 40), (second from left in above photo) representing communities in Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, sponsored the bill into the budget.

“211 is the ultimate example of shared services and public-private partnerships,” said Sen. Harckham. “It is a good investment of public dollars to make sure that someone is there to assist those in need to find the government services and nonprofit assistance available. COVID and other recent natural disasters, such as the flooding caused by Hurricane Ida, also showed how important 211 is to local and state governments for responding to disasters and emergencies.”

As the 211 Helpline continues to be a beacon of hope for those seeking assistance, it stands as a reminder that we are stronger when we come together to support one another. The White Plains community resource center remains committed to serving as a dependable resource, guiding callers toward the help they need during times of uncertainty.

The 211 Helpline is available 24/7 by dialing 211 or visiting 211hudsonvalley.org. You can also text your zip code to 898211 to text with a community specialist between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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CORTLANDT MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING “GHOST GUNS” PROBE

(Hawthorne, NY) AUGUST 15,2023– Westchester County Police arrested a Cortlandt man today and charged him with manufacturing and possessing untraceable “ghost guns” in his home.

The arrest was the result of a multi-agency investigation that also involved the New York State Police, FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York​ and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.

Nicholas Zito, 22, of Langeloth Drive was taken into custody at his home shortly before 9 a.m.  The items seized from his residence were:

·         three loaded firearms lacking serial numbers;

·         four unfinished/non-serialized frames for firearms;

·         23 high-capacity ammunition magazines and ammunition.

Zito was allegedly using a 3D printer to manufacture the ghost guns, which contain no serial numbers and are untraceable when recovered following the commission of a crime.

Zito was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree (loaded firearm) and multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3^rd Degree (for possessing three or more firearms and the 23 ammo clips). Those charges are felonies. He was also charged with four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4^th Degree (for the unfinished firearms). That charge is a misdemeanor.

Zito was arraigned today in a neighboring court and was remanded to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Cortlandt Town Court on Wednesday. The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor said, “I commend our Conditions Unit, the Real Time Crime Center, and our partners in this investigation. We are all committed to keeping illegal firearms of all kinds, including ghost guns, off the streets of our communities.”

Raynor noted that the Westchester County Police, in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, have seized hundreds of ghost guns through investigations conducted in the last few years.

Anyone with information regarding the manufacture, possession or sale of ghost guns is asked to contact the Westchester County Police. The Department maintains telephone and electronic tips lines so the public can provide information on this and other criminal activity.

Calls, e-mails and text messages to these tips lines are confidential. Tipsters can remain anonymous if they chose.

·         Voice Tip Line: (800)898-TIPS (8477).

·         Electronic Tips: Send email, text messages and small video clips to tips@wccops.com.

·         Via Mobile App: The WCPD Mobile App contains a home screen Submit a Tip button to enable tips to be sent confidentially or anonymously. It is available for Apple and Android phones. Enter Westchester County PD in the app store search bar to locate and download it.