White Plains CitizeNetReporter

Hits: 0

WPCNR COVID TODAY. From the NY State Covid Tracker Commentary by John F. BaileyAugust 1, 2021:

The third wave of coronavirus continues to sustain its growth in Westchester.

Westchester officials should be nervously watching for the state Saturday Corona Virus testing in Westchester due out his afternoon.

New cases of corona virus in the 5 days Monday through Friday July 26 through Friday the 39th totaled 581. In 10 to 14 days these 581 persons could pass the virus to over 3,000 others, according to the ratio of infections where each single person who tests positive will pass the virus to 6 persons who will in turn infect 15 more, possibly meaning Westchester 8,000 new cases in two weeks, the incubation period when covid symptoms start to show.

On Friday, the relentless infection rate continued.

The state tracker reported 156 new persons of 6,008 testing with covid, an increase of 11% over 140 positive on Thursday and 129 on Wednesday., ending the 5-day week with 425 new Westchester residents testing positive with covid. Friday’s infection rate new cases edged up to 2.6%.

Hits: 93

Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health, said:  “With so many of us spending more time outdoors, protect yourself and your family by using repellents. Apply sunscreen first, and repellent second.”

The Health Department reminds residents about mosquito safety through news releases, social media and our website, where a report on mosquito control and surveillance can be found on the West Nile Virus page. Throughout the season, the Department also traps and tests mosquitoes to track the presence of mosquito-borne viruses.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, body aches and joint pain, but can be more serious for people 60 and older, and those with underlying medical conditions.

(Editor’s Note: without proper treatment and correct diagnosis, West Nile Virus can kill you. It’s not just a mosquito bite.)

For more ideas on how to reduce the mosquito population near your home, go to https://health.westchestergov.com/west-nile-virus and follow these tips:

• Avoid the outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding, or use insect repellents then and follow the label instructions.
• Adults can use insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET on infants over two months of age by applying the product to their own hands and then rubbing it onto their children, avoiding their hands, eyes and mouth. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months of age.

• Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors, especially in areas where mosquitoes are active and feeding.
• Check around your property for anything that can hold water, and pour it out or put it away.
• Check and remove standing water from children’s toys and play houses left outside.
• Remove discarded tires.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors.
• Turn over plastic wading pools, buckets and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
• Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris.
• Continue to chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs until properly winterized or drained for the season. Also, if not chlorinated, drain any water that collects on their covers.

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.

Hits: 0

WPCNR CORONA VIRUS BULLETIN. JULY 31, 2O21:

(EDITOR’S NOTE:) AS PREDICTED ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK REPORT FRIDAY EVENING, WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER FRIDAY AFTERNOON ANNOUNCED A NEW CAMPAIGN TO ASSURE ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 AS COVID INFECTIONS SUSTAINED A 2.5% NEW INFECTION RATE FOR TWO DAYS IN A ROW WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY RESULTING IN 269 NEW CASES OF CORONAVIRUS IN OVER 10,000 PERSONS TESTED

THE 2.5% LEVEL OF INFECTION IS THE HIGHEST LEVELS SINCE THE END OF APRIL AND UNDERSCORED THE UNCERTAINTY OF KEEPING THE VIRUS FROM AFFECTING THE COUNTY TENTATIVE RECOVERY IN THE FACE OF THE GROWTH OF COVID INFECTIONS IN JUST ONE WEEK.

NO PROJECTIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OR THE STATE OF HOW THIS NEW LEVEL OF INFECTIONS IN WESTCHESTER WILL AFFECT THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES IN THE COMING WEEKS, THOUGH HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE REMAINED IN THE LOW 20S FOR LAST TWO WEEKS.

THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ISSUED MANDATORY MASK RULES IN COUNTY OFFICES FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND PUBLIC VISITORS IN COUNTY OFFICE BUILDINGS, PARKS AND BEACHES, BUT NOT PLAYLAND.

THE COUNTY AT THIS TIME DOES NOT KNOW HOW MANY COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE VACCINATED AND WILL UNDERTAKE A SURVEY TO DETERMINE THAT.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCED A “JUST THE FACTS:WE’RE VAXXED” CAMPAIGN TO EXPEDITE COUNTY EMPLOYEES VACCINATIONS AGAINST COVID.

“Since taking office, my top priority is, and always has been, the health and safety of the County workforce and the people that we serve.  After much consideration and consultation with County workers, department heads and union leaders, I am launching a robust “Just the Facts: We’re Vaxxed” campaign to encourage the entire County workforce to be vaccinated by Labor Day 2021.

“The first step will be a survey to access the vaccination status of all employees. Those departments that are fully vaccinated will be highlighted across the County.  In addition, those County employees who are fully vaccinated will receive four free passes to Playland for the 2021 season. To affirm our stance that County employees need to be vaccinated, County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler and I will be visiting all County Departments to discuss the vaccine. 

“To accommodate those who want to be vaccinated, the County will offer extended vaccination locations and hours along with the already existing locations at the Westchester County Center, and our two Health Department clinics in White Plains and Yonkers.

“Additionally, the County will re-establish a mandatory mask mandate for most County facilities.  At all Westchester County office buildings, unvaccinated employees and those who visit will be required to be masked at all times. Those who are vaccinated, will need to be masked in all common areas.  All County buildings will remain open to the public.  

“At all County beaches and County pools, masks will be required when patrons go to concession stands, locker rooms, bathrooms and other locations regardless of vaccination status. Playland mask policies are still being evaluated.

“We are exploring a more robust County workforce surveillance COVID testing program.  This is an open and fluid conversation that could change depending on COVID statistics and other important factors.

“We must work together, we must stay strong, and we must continue to move forward.”

Hits: 0

Hits: 228

WPCNR CORONAVIRUS BULLETIN. July 29, 2021:

Wednesday, 5,139 person tested for coronavirus and 2.5% 129 persons tested positive for Covid. The 129 is the highest number of positives since April 28 (128) when the second wave was receeding in number of infections.

Now it is going up for the fourth straight week with 31,260 testing in 7 days and 588 or 1.8% testing positive.

The 588 new cases today have potential TO create over 3,000 infections after 10 to 14 days. For every person infecting 2 pers they may infect 6 others.