Hi — I hope you and yours are staying well as we round out 2023. I wasn’t going to post this week but checking the data is such a longstanding habit that I couldn’t resist a quick update. Briefly: Influenza-like illness is increasing quickly, with 5.1% of visits to the doctor for fever and cough or sore throat, up from 4.4% the week prior. The entire Southern region and most of the Western region are seeing very high levels of activity. New England is also heating up, with New York City in the very high category and other jurisdictions at moderate or high. The Midwest still looks pretty good, but activity is definitely increasing there as well.
Outpatient influenza-like illness activity. Source: CDC Covid-19 activity is also rising. The number of new weekly hospitalizations has climbed to over 25,000, up from a recent low of around 15,000 (note: this data is as of December 16, so it’s a little out of date). However, we are still far below last winter’s peak. The Midwestern and Northeastern regions have the highest rates of hospitalization, and those regions also have the highest wastewater concentration. People over the age of 70 are still at highest risk of hospitalization.
Source: CDC RSV activity is still high across the country. That’s all for today, just wanted to make sure you have the latest. See you next year! |
FREE BUSES ON NEW YEARS EVE
County Executive George Latimer Announces Special New Year’s Eve Bee-Line Bus Shuttle Service to Ensure Safe Celebrations in Westchester County
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer is pleased to announce the implementation of a special New Year’s Eve Bee-Line bus shuttle service to facilitate safe and convenient transportation for residents and visitors during the festive celebrations on December 31, 2023.
The Bee-Line bus shuttle service will operate in three key areas – White Plains, Yonkers, and New Rochelle – providing reliable transportation options for individuals looking to enjoy the New Year’s Eve festivities responsibly. Latimer has already announced that Bee-Line buses will be running fare-free through January 1.
Latimer said: “As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s crucial that all in our community enjoy the New Year’s Eve celebrations responsibly. This special free Bee-Line bus shuttle service aims to make the festivities more accessible, allowing residents and visitors to travel conveniently and safely. A sincere thanks to our Bee-Line bus drivers and DPW/T workers for their efforts in advancing this initiative.”
The three shuttles lines are as follows:
White Plains Shuttle:
· Route: Start at White Plains Trans Center, R/T Lexington, L/T Main St., R/T Mamaroneck, L/T Maple Ave., L/T Bloomingdale Rd., L/T Westchester Ave, L/T Broadway, R/T Martine back to Trans Center.
· Service Hours: Buses will begin service at 7 PM and run approximately every 20 minutes.
· Last Bus: The last bus departing from White Plains Trans Center will be at 1 AM.
· Bus Stops: Buses will stop at all existing bus stops along the designated routes.
Yonkers Shuttle:
· Route: Start on Central Ave. opposite Raceway, L/T McLean Ave., L/T Bronx River Rd., L/T Yonkers Ave, L/T Central Ave to opposite Raceway.
· Service Hours: Buses will begin service at 7 PM and run approximately every 30 minutes.
· Last Bus: The final bus leaving Clark Street (Yonkers Casino) will be at 1 AM.
· Bus Stops: Buses will make stops at all existing bus stops along the specified routes.
New Rochelle Shuttle:
· Route: Start at New Rochelle Intermodal Center, R/T North Ave, R/T Huguenot St, L/T Pintard at monument onto Main St. L/T River Ave (Echo Avenue), L/T Huguenot St, R/T North Ave, L/T Into Intermodal Center.
· Service Hours: Buses will begin service at 7 PM and run approximately every 20 minutes.
· Last Bus: The last bus departing from New Rochelle Intermodal Center will be at 1 AM.
· Bus Stops: Buses will make stops at all existing bus stops along the designated routes.
With this effort, Latimer is emphasizing the importance of providing accessible transportation options for the community, ensuring that everyone can celebrate responsibly and safely as we welcome the New Year.
COVID INFECTIONS IN NY METRO AREA: 23,211 LAST WEEK. 3,315 A DAY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY RECORDS 6TH CONSECUTIVE WEEK OF RISING COVID CASES:
WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL REPORTS 71% OF ADMISSIONS TO BEDS FOUND WITH COVID.
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS SURVEILLANCE. Statistics from New York State Health Department. Observation & Analysis by John F. Bailey. December 27, 2028:
The week before Christmas December 17 to December 23, 23,111 persons tested positive for covid, an average of 3,851 a day in the New York City Metropolitan area.
The statistics reflect that the Mid Hudson Region of Westchester, Orange, Rockland Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Putnam counties rolled up 4,107 new cases 684 a Day with Westchester County leading the county with an average of 263 a day. Westchester had more than half the Mid-Hudson cases last week.
Long Island reported 7,110 cases (Nassau and Suffolk Counties) Dec 17 to 23rd or 1,015 a day,
The two Long Island Counties Nassau and Suffolk County with 7,110 cases combined with the Mid Hudson 7 counties , 4,107, flooded the 9 counties surrounding New York Cith with 11, 217 new cases in 6 days, December 17-23. (Covid cases are reported with a 3 day lagl)
In fact the suburban counties have 11,217 cases almost equally the 11, 994 cases of the 5 boroughs of New York City. The Mid Hudson Region new cases in the week before Christmas were 94% of New York City total cases (all 5 boroughs).
This super spread of the Mid-Hudson counties and Long Island is striking, because the 7 Mid Hudson Region counties and the 2 Long Island counties only have 45% of New York City population.
The rate of spread during the socializing before even the Christmas weekend travel started has
Westchester County on target for a 7th consecutive week of sharply increased cases from December 1 through December 23, Westchester County was reported by the New York State Health Depart today. The 3-day lag in reporting makes the figures on new cases even worse. There are much more to come into January.
The Covid positives of the entertaining and mixing and mingling over Christmas Weekend have not even been recorded yet. Significantly the covid in the air is getting much higher reports Sunday through Friday especially last week.
Sunday Dec 17: 185
Mon. Dec 18: 330
Tues. Dec 19: 301
Wed. Dec 20: 336
Thurs. Dec 21: 327
Fri. Dec 22: 231
Saturday Dec. 23: 128
TOTAL IN 7TH WEEK: 4.,993 IN Westchester County
No one is talking about this trend. Not the Governor’s office. No State Senator or State Assembly, No County Executives. No Mayor or County Legislator.
Just because they are not talking about it does not mean you should not be aware of Covid in the air in the company you keep.
Rough estimates indicate we could December between 8,000 infections for the month in the county to as many as 12,000 or more if this rate of spread is not substantially reduced.
Locally, the White Plains Hospital saw its steady influx of new patients admitted being found with covid continuing.
From December 8 through December 22, The New York State Department of Health recorded White Plains Hospital admitting 150 patients to beds and of the 150 , 106 or 71% tested positive after admission.
CHRISTMAS DAY PAST IN WHITE PLAINS
WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer. December 25, 2005: Today the Roving Photographer captures a tradition — Christmas Morning in America — more specifically — White Plains.
Christmas Morning, 2005. Photo by the WPCNR Roving Photographer
The Yule Log from White Plains Bake Shoppe. Photo, WPCNR Roving Photographer.
Christmas Treats. Photo by WPCNR Roving Photographer.
Kitten’s First Christmas. Bela The Christmas Kitten. Photo, WPCNR Roving Photographer.