WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR CORONA VIRUS SURVEILLANCE. From the New York State Covid Tracker. Observation & Analysis by John F. Bailey. September 13, 2022:

The week of September 4 to 10, the week after Labor Day 3-day weekend, ended with the NYS Covid tracker reporting 1,091 new persons testing positve for covid., down 155 cases from last week’s total of 11,246.

This was the sixth consecutive week since July 31-August 6 where weekly new infections in the county have stabilized. Over that period infections per week have been:

July 31-Aug 6: 2,062; Aug 7-13: 1,664 (down 20%); Aug 14-20: 1,299 (down 22%); Aug 21-27: 1,300 (Even); Aug 28-Sep.3: 1,246 (down 4%); and the week ended Saturday September 10: 1,091 (down 12%).

Total positives in these six weeks of decline in new cases numbered 8,662, 1,443 infections a week down from the 11,489 new covid-infectees the 4 weeks of July,where Westchester averaged 2,827 new cases a week. The covid infections continue at 1,000 a week now a decline of 1,384 new cases or 49%.

The possibility of getting infected now is less. Consensus of the leaders around the county is that covid is in decline. The county suspended covd updates beginning this week.

The last two weeks profiling the number of cases by community around the county shows lowering numbers of new cases. Instead of 17 communities averaging 100 new cases a week the numbers have improved but you should protect yourself. I had to take an in home test last week administered by Brenda Starr, and I want to tell you these at-home tests are not easy. You have to stick a swab up your nose just like Governor Cuomo, affix it to the plastic test strip which (looks like a flashdrive) and wait 15 minutes. The instructions have to be read carefully. If you have trouble reading English, and are nervous you may not get enough nose fluids to sample. The device shows you if you got enough. But mind you–if you have shaky hands you could hurt your nose if you go up too deep. It is as easy as it can be, I guess but at no time did I realize these at-home tests required easing a swab up your nose transfering to a small device that serves as a receptacle for your nose-retrieved sample, then you have to wait 15-20 minutes.

The wait is agonizing.

I wonder how many try the test throw up their hands because they need a second person, or get exasperated and do not complete it. I think that may be a reason why many persons seek out lab tests at medical centers and pharmacies– the discomfort of the tests and misunderstanding them. (Since we have no idea how many at-home tests are administered where people are positive, there is no way to tell whether the documented lab tests provided to the New York State Covid Tracker indicate a much higher rate of ghost infections in the general population than we saw during this diminution over the last six weeks.

Diminution is a very comfortable word leaving you with the feeling covid is dwindling like the summer wind.

The infection rates of persons since only lab-certified test results are being used, have been high in my opinion, landing heavy percentages of new infections a day across 7 counties of the Mid-Hudson Region , New York City and the hotbeds of covid spread, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The infection rates I see leafing through my day-by-day percentage of infections per county are consistently above the infection rate level, (total persons newly infecting 1 other person or less than one other person) you need to stop covid spread.

The infections rates just last Friday, September 9 the infection rates for Westchester County and the 7 other counties in the Mid-Hudson and Long Island were:

September 9 POP 7-Day Avg Day Spread/100M Tests Positives Infection Rate

Westchester 1,004,000 20.3 (211/wk/844 Mo.) 2,913 196 5.7%

Rockland 338,329 20.3 ( 68/wk/476/Mo.) 766 66 8.2%

Orange 382,000 17 (65/wk/260/Mo.) 1068 65 6%

Dutchess 294,000 23.2 (68/wk./272/Mo) 504 68 14.2%

Ulster 70,088 18 ( 13/wk/52 /mo) 225 33 14%

Putnam 97,668 15.2 (15/wk./44/mo) 230 15 7.6%

Sullivan 78,624 17.2 (14/wk/56/mo) 208 13 6.4%

MID-HUD POP 2,264709 18.74(90/WK/360/MO) 5,914 455 8%

LONG ISLAND

NASSAU 444,967 31 (138/wk/551/MO) 4,767 420 6.5%

SUFFOLK 1,532,424 36.1 (553wk/2,212/MO) 5,313 534 6.4%

Sad to say, as long as Nassau and County continue their upwards of 1,000 new cases of covid a day to the tri state area, infections in New York City are not going to go down. As school begins with virtually no covid distancing and vaccination requirements, the disease will still be out there every day. Will it gain momentum? Will children be as resistant to the disease as anti vaccine and anti social restrictions advocates hope they are and hope is the operative strategy.

With a 25% infection rate in the White Plains Schools last year, with all precautions taken, masking and social distancing, I doubt if dropping all precautions against covid is wise. I hope so. That is what is at play here in politicians, leaders, parents, children: hope.

Though the spread is coming down, are there a lot of ghost cases out there? Is home testing a reliable way of finding out whether you have the disease or just a way of ignoring you might be positive and sort of self-quarantine?

If I had tested positive last week on that at-home test, I do not know what my reaction would have been. I had symptoms. But just knowing I should take the at-home test due to particular possible exposure, I had to take the test.

The greater doubt I have is that the high infection rates across all 9 counties surrounding New York City are not stopping new cases.

The average infection rate is 8.9% over all 7 Mid-Hudson Counties. 1% is the no-spread Holy Grail, and the 7 counties are running 10 times that on very low test quantities.

People are getting it who are vaccinated. People are spreading it who do not have symptoms. The lab tests may be lulling us into a false sense of security. The disease whips up more new variants than craft beers.

But I don’t think we should feel secure. I am apprehensive.

Instead the lab verified tests may be giving us a false definition of the true picture of infected persons every day out there. If the population at large is not testing and the low number of lab,medically conducted tests analyzed by the labs infect at 8% rates,–this could mean that if you were testing 10,000 a day in Westchester like we used to, you’d have 900 infections a day in Westchester alone, or the chaotic 6,300 cases a week levels we saw at the end of January. Even if you have a 4% average infection rate Westchester is getting

With the latest doubts being raised about the under 5 vaccine for kids, it calls into question how good is the FDA vetting process anyway and is it driven to be too hasty in order to advance political fortunes? The medical profession seems to be disagreeing right and left on covid medicines, seriousness, and disease ability to spread.

The information wars have spread to covid to everybody’s peril.

Under no circumstances should the state suspend publishing the daily covid new case counts. Right now it is the only reasonably explicit covid progress system for the state. If it is suspended to build public confidence, this would be a serious mistake.

Without a scoreboard we will not know the score.

Without a steady hand on the covid helm with willingness to act prudently, the disease will continue to afflict, cripple and impede the metropolitan area confidence.

It’s in your hands and mine, to take care of ourselves and loved ones.

T

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WARNING: POLIO IS PREVENTABLE WITH THE VACCINE. BUT THE DISEASE ONCE YOU GET IT IS INCURABLE.

Governor Hochul Declares State Disaster Emergency, Bolstering Immunization Drive – E.O. Immediately Expands Network of Vaccine Administrators, Adding EMS Workers, Midwives, and Pharmacists

NYSDOH Continues to Assess Spread & Prevent Disease Through Monitoring & Vaccination – Working with Local and National Health Authorities, Healthcare Providers, and Community Partners

One Case of Paralytic Polio Previously Identified in Rockland County

Poliovirus Detected in Wastewater Samples from Rockland County, Orange County, Sullivan County, New York City and Now Nassau County

ALBANY, N.Y. from THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE (EDITED FOR ORGANIZATION, NO CONTENT ” CHANGED OR INTERPRETED” ) (September 9, 2022) –

Expanding response efforts and urging immunization, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) updated New Yorkers on polio in New York State. With evidence of circulating poliovirus, Governor Kathy Hochul today issued an Executive Order declaring a State Disaster Emergency, increasing the availability of resources to protect New Yorkers against paralytic disease.

(Editor’s Note: Parents who have not completed their childrens’ vaccinations yet in the White Plains City School district have until September 20 to turn in complete paperwork on the vaccination requirement fulfilment, according to the Superintendent of Schools last week.)

(Editor’s Note 2: I cannot underestimate the horridness of this disease. I have just been looking at photographs of pictures of children suffering form polio in the 1950s. They are horrifying. Braces on childrens’ legs. Children in “Iron Lungs,” smiling as celebrities visit them. A simple search on “polio victims photos” will lead you to every reason you could have to get your children and yourself vaccinated. Call your doctor and do not hesitate. )

As of August 1, 2022, Rockland County has a polio vaccination rate of 60.34 percent, Orange County has a polio vaccination rate of 58.68 percent, Sullivan County has a polio vaccination rate of 62.33 percent, and Nassau County has a polio vaccination rate of 79.15 percent, compared to the statewide average of 78.96 percent, among children who have received 3 polio immunizations before their second birthday.*

Bolstering the immunization drive, the E.O. immediately expands the network of polio vaccine administrators with the addition of EMS workers, midwives, and pharmacists and authorizes physicians and certified nurse practitioners to issue non-patient specific standing orders for polio vaccines. The E.O. also requires healthcare providers to send polio immunization data to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) through the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS), enabling NYSDOH and local health departments to focus vaccination activities where they are needed most and have yet another datapoint to understand the level of protection against polio in communities.

“On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “If you or your child are unvaccinated or not up to date with vaccinations, the risk of paralytic disease is real. I urge New Yorkers to not accept any risk at all. Polio immunization is safe and effective – protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses. Do not wait to vaccinate. If you are unsure of you or your families’ vaccination status, contact a healthcare provider, clinic, or local county health department to make sure you and your loved ones receive all recommended doses.”

Following the identification of a case of paralytic polio in an unvaccinated individual in Rockland County, NYSDOH launched wastewater surveillance — a tool to check for signs of the virus in sewage water in communities – as people infected with poliovirus shed virus in their stool. Sequence analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found poliovirus in samples collected from Rockland County, Orange County, Sullivan County, New York City, and now, Nassau County. The sample collected in August from Nassau County has been genetically linked to the case of paralytic polio previously identified in Rockland County, further evidence of expanding community spread. All samples reported are samples of concern, meaning they are types of poliovirus that can cause paralysis in humans.

All New Yorkers who are unvaccinated, including children by 2 months of age, those who are pregnant, and people who have not completed their polio vaccine series previously, should get immunized right away. Unvaccinated New Yorkers or those not up to date with immunizations who live, work, go to school in, or visit Rockland County, Orange County, New York City, Sullivan County, and Nassau County are at the highest risk of contracting paralytic disease.

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), the only vaccine available in the United States, is safe, and contains no live virus. It protects 99 – 100 percent of people who get all recommended doses. In accordance with CDC, the polio immunization schedule by age is as follows:

WHO SHOULD GET IT–HOW MANY DOSES

• All children should get 4 doses of the polio vaccine. The first dose should be given at 6 weeks through 2 months of age, followed by one dose given at 4 months of age, 6 through 18 months old, and 4 through 6 years old.
• People starting the polio immunization series after 4 years of age who are unvaccinated or are unsure if they have been immunized should receive a total of 3 doses.
• Adults who have only had 1 or 2 doses of the polio vaccine in the past should get the remaining 1 or 2 doses – it does not matter how long it has been since the earlier doses.
• In addition, adults who live or work in the areas where poliovirus has been detected (Rockland County, Orange County, New York City, Sullivan County, and Nassau County) and don’t believe they are vaccinated should get vaccinated.

At this time, the following New Yorkers who have previously completed their polio vaccine series should receive one lifetime booster dose of IPV:

• Individuals who will or might have close contact with a person known or suspected to be infected with poliovirus or such person’s household members or other close contacts.
• Healthcare providers working in areas where poliovirus has been detected (Rockland County, Orange County, Sullivan County, New York City, or Nassau County) who might handle specimens that might contain polioviruses or who treat patients who might have polio (e.g., urgent care, emergency department, neurology, virology laboratory workers).
• Individuals with occupational exposure to wastewater can consider a booster.

Polio is a dangerous, debilitating, and life-threatening disease. Spread from person-to-person, poliovirus enters the body through the mouth, usually from hands contaminated with the stool of an infected individual. People can spread the virus even if they do not know they are sick, and asymptomatic spread is a high concern among health officials. According to CDC, 70 percent of people infected with polio experience no symptoms. About 25 percent experience mild or flu-like symptoms that may be mistaken for many other illnesses. About 1 in 100 individuals will develop severe disease, including permanent paralysis. Of those paralyzed, 2-10 percent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Based on evidence from earlier polio outbreaks, health officials estimate that for every one case of paralytic polio observed, there may be hundreds of other people infected.

There is no cure for polio, but it is preventable through safe and effective vaccination. A core component of CDC’s childhood immunization schedule and required by NYSDOH for all school-aged children, most children are already vaccinated. New Yorkers who are unsure of their or their child’s vaccination status should reach out to a healthcare provider right away. As of August 1, 2022, Rockland County has a polio vaccination rate of 60.34 percent, Orange County has a polio vaccination rate of 58.68 percent, Sullivan County has a polio vaccination rate of 62.33 percent, and Nassau County has a polio vaccination rate of 79.15 percent, compared to the statewide average of 78.96 percent, among children who have received 3 polio immunizations before their second birthday.*

A rate of well over 90 percent is NYSDOH’s goal, and every adult and child must be up to date with vaccinations to prevent disease at the individual level. In addition to immunization to prevent disease, New Yorkers should know that handwashing with soap is important, as alcohol-based sanitizers do not work on some types of germs, like polio.

New Yorkers can learn more about polio and polio immunization here. Information about wastewater surveillance and results is available here.

Polio vaccination rates by county are available here. Available polio vaccination rates by ZIP code are available here.

About New York State Polio Vaccination Rates

*Polio vaccination rates are calculated based on data of children that have received 3 polio immunizations by 2 years of age, reported their residency as the State of New York, provided their New York State county of residence, and have at least one immunization or have a New York State birth record outside of New York City, based on data as of August 1, 2022 from the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). As of January 8, 2008, all health care providers in New York State, outside of New York City, are required to report all immunizations administered to people less than 19 years of age, along with the person’s immunization histories, to NYSDOH using NYSIIS. Calculated rates are based on where the individual resides, based on the most recent resident information reported through NYSIIS. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) maintains non-COVID-19 immunization records for New York City residents through the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR).

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County Health Department Reminds Residents to Take Precautions Against Mosquitoes

WPCNR HEALTH ADVISORY.Westchester County has learned of its first human case of West Nile Virus this year, which was confirmed in an Elmsford resident with multiple underlying medical conditions, who is recovering at home.

Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “This first case of West Nile Virus should remind us all to take precautions against mosquito bites by removing standing water from our property, especially after recent heavy rain and flooding, and using repellents when we spend time outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.” 

West Nile Virus infection most often causes a mild or moderate flu-like illness, but can be more serious particularly for people 60 and older, and those with other health complications. In 2021 and 2020, three people were diagnosed with West Nile Virus, and in 2019, one Westchester County resident had the virus.

The Westchester County Department of Health evaluated standing water around the resident’s home and nearby catch basins, and treated those with larvicide as needed.

Residents should inspect their property and remove any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property should report them to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000.