Hits: 158

Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – Mar 15

Mar 15

READ IN APP

Welcome to this week’s Northeastern 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 activity continues to decline across the Northeast this week.

New Jersey is the only state with outpatient ILI meaningfully above 3%, reporting 4.2%, down from 4.5%, with emergency department (ED) visits declining to 2.0% from 2.2%.

The rest of the region has now dipped below 3%. New Hampshire and Massachusetts both crossed that threshold this week, falling to 2.8% and 2.6% respectively, after sitting at 3.5% and 3.1% the week prior.

Northeast: Outpatient influenza-like illness (%)

% of visits to the doctor that are for fever and cough or sore throat

The remaining states were all in the low-to-mid 2% range or below.

New York held essentially flat at 2.8%, with hospitalizations edging down to 1.9 per 100,000 from 2.1. Vermont fell to 2.4%, and notably its ED visits dropped sharply to 2.0% from 3.5%. Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maine each came in between 2.0% and 2.4%, all declining. Pennsylvania’s ED visits held essentially flat at 2.0%. Connecticut again had no outpatient ILI data, but ED visits edged down to 1.9% and hospitalizations fell sharply to 0.9 per 100,000 from 2.1.

Northeast: ED visits for influenza (%)

% of visits to the emergency department that are for influenza

---

COVID-19

Covid-19 activity improved substantially across the Northeast this week, with several states seeing dramatic drops in both ED visits and wastewater.

Vermont and Maine stand out. Vermont’s wastewater fell from high to moderate and ED visits declined to 0.6% from 0.8%, while Maine’s wastewater also dropped from high to moderate and ED visits fell sharply to 0.5% from 0.9%. Rhode Island saw perhaps the most striking shift, with wastewater declining from moderate to minimal and ED visits falling to 0.3% from 0.5%.

Northeast: Covid-19 wastewater concentration

Wastewater concentration of SARS-CoV-2

The rest of the region also improved, though more modestly. Connecticut and New Jersey reported 0.5% for ED visits, both declining, with wastewater remaining moderate; Connecticut hospitalizations fell sharply to 1.3 per 100,000 from 2.5. Pennsylvania reported 0.5%, with wastewater holding moderate.

New Hampshire and Massachusetts each came in near 0.4% to 0.5%, with wastewater declining into the low-to-moderate range. New York had the lowest ED rate at 0.4%, though wastewater edged up slightly from low to moderate; hospitalizations fell notably to 2.0 per 100,000 from 3.1.

Northeast: ED visits for Covid-19 (%)

% of visits to the emergency department that are for Covid-19

---

RSV

RSV activity declined broadly across the Northeast this week. Vermont led at 0.8% for ED visits, down from 1.0%, followed by New Hampshire at 0.7%, down from 1.1%. Massachusetts saw a notable drop to 0.6% from 1.0%.

Northeast: ED visits for RSV (%)

% of visits to the emergency department that are for RSV

The remaining states all came in at 0.5% or below. Rhode Island declined to 0.4% from 0.7%. Connecticut and New York both reported 0.4%, with hospitalizations continuing to fall — Connecticut to 3.5 per 100,000 from 4.9, and New York to 3.2 per 100,000 from 3.7.

Northeast RSV Hospitalization Rates (%)

Change in hospitalization rates

---

Norovirus

Unfortunately, norovirus activity is continuing to climb. Test positivity in the Northeast rose from 11% to 14%, which is the same band it’s been bouncing around in all season.

Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea. It spreads very easily, and is not reliably killed by hand sanitizer. Thorough handwashing with soap and water is the best way to prevent transmission.

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:

• Nothing new this week

Previously Reported:

• Expanded recall of frozen chicken fried rice products, sold under multiple brand names: Trader Joe’s, Ajinomoto, Kroger, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei, due to possible glass shards (more info)
• Great Value (sold at Walmart) Cottage Cheese (more info)
• Elite Treats Chicken Chips (for dogs). These may be contaminated with salmonella, which poses a health risk not only for dogs, but also for humans who handle the product or contaminated surfaces (more info).
• Bremer Family Size Italian Meatballs (frozen, ready-to-eat) (more info)
• Multiple flavors of cream cheese under the Made Fresh Salads, Inc. label (more info)
• Gerber Arrowroot biscuits (more info)
• Organic chia seeds sold by Navitas Organics (more info)

---

In other news

• Regional editions are wrapping up for the season. The last regional edition will publish March 22, with state-level coverage resuming in October when flu season resumes. In the meantime, paid subscribers will continue to receive a weekly national report through the summer months, including the annual summer Covid-19 wave.

Hits: 142

Neighbor,   As we enter a new month, we have new challenges. We began the month of March with the United States entering a war without broad based popular support, prompting a fight to hold this administration accountable. Americans across the country are feeling the effects of the rising cost of living and are looking for relief from the pressure on their paychecks. Gas prices are increasing, and grocery store prices remain high.   As we move into the spring, I am working with my colleagues to find a path forward. Putting you first and doing what is best for our community is what matters most. I am out in the community everyday I can, speaking with you directly so, please feel free to reach out to my office if there is anything we can do to assist you during this time.

IN WASHINGTON

Last week was our first legislative week in DC this month. Given the conflict in the Middle East, there was time allocated to meet with advocacy groups working on new legislative ideas and to attend a hearing of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.   At the committee hearing, the topic centered on “Merit, Accountability, and Performance at State: Evaluating Promotion and Placement.” We heard testimony from a witness serving in the Human Resources department at the State Department.   But congress is avoiding the larger issues that speak to the priorities and conduct of the current administration. This House leadership needs to devote more time to the central issues we face; America’s role in the world including Venezuela and Iran; affordability at home with healthcare costs, and tariff impacts.

BACK HOME IN WESTCHESTER AND THE BRONX

Since the start of March, I have been out in the community hearing directly from you. I spoke on International Women’s Day at the ‘Women Leaders of Westchester: Women’s Day Forum’, attended the Tax Preparation Sessions ‘Your Taxes, Your Resources’ events with my office and IRS advocates, spoke to seniors and staff at senior centers, and honored local leaders with Congressional Record ceremonies.

CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION

The Congressional Art Competition is now open for submissions! This contest is for high school students living in or attending school in Westchester and the Bronx. The winning artist will have their work featured in the U.S. Capitol and be invited to D.C. for an awards ceremony with our office and all other art competition winners.   This year, in celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary, the theme for the competition is “Revolutionary 250”. Artists may choose to follow themes provided below but it is not mandated. History happened here:  Visit or research a revolutionary historical site near you and create a piece of art that reflects on what you learned, saw, or felt. Revolutionary sites in Westchester and the Bronx can be found at rw250.org/sites Forgotten voices of the revolution:  Create a piece of art that reflects on the lives and roles of the American Revolutionary people who have been forgotten or overlooked in the telling of our history. Revolutions in Conversation:  Create a piece of art reflecting on how other “revolutions” throughout American history (Women’s Suffrage, Abolition, Civil Rights, etc.) have related to or contrasted with the original American Revolution? We look forward to seeing all of the creative ideas that the local artists come up with! Submissions and further rules and regulations can be found on our website at https://latimer.house.gov/services/art-competition

Watch some of my recent House of Representatives floor speeches:

Honoring local leaders and introducing new legislation: POINT Act Welcoming New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks Lawyers in the Classroom The POINT act is especially important; it lays out foundation of opposition to Presidential interference in the electoral process – something that might have been unthinkable once, but in the light of the January 6th Insurrection, false claims of a ‘stolen elections’, and voter suppression legislation like the SAVE act, the unthinkable may yet come to pass.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT

Applications for summer internships in the Bronx, White Plains, and DC are now open! Scan the QR code or follow the link to learn more and apply: https://latimer.house.gov/services/internships

IN THE NEWS

Up close with Bill Ritter Newsnation  NY1

TEXTING SIGN UP

In case you missed it, my office sends text messages to residents in the 16th District. We hope this is another way to keep you informed of what I am working on in DC and at home. If you would like to join our texting list, you can sign up here: https://latimer.house.gov/services/subscribe-texting

STAY IN TOUCH

In case you missed it, my office sends text messages to residents in the 16th District. We hope this is another way to keep you informed of what I am working on in DC and at home. If you would like to join our texting list, you can sign up here: https://latimer.house.gov/services/subscribe-texting

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X and YouTube to stay up-to-date on what I am working on. If this newsletter was sent to you by someone else, you can sign up for it here: https://latimer.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe   As always, reach out to my offices with concerns or questions. We are here to serve you!

Sincerely,

Hits: 170

Yonkers Police Department Deploys Citywide Drone as a First Responder Program

In collaboration with Motorola Solutions, dock-based drones operated from the AWARE Crime Control Center to provide aerial intelligence anywhere in the city within three minutes

Yonkers, NY – Friday, the Yonkers Police Department announced the launch of the City’s permanent Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, representing a significant investment in advanced public safety technology in collaboration with Motorola Solutions.

DFR operations provide a vital layer of real-time intelligence, accelerating response to emergency calls and giving officers a real-time aerial perspective of incidents as they unfold.

The Yonkers Police Department first explored this technology during the summer of 2024 through a 60-day pilot program, the first of its kind in the region, to evaluate the effectiveness of DFR operations in Yonkers’ complex urban public safety environment. Following the pilot’s success and a comprehensive program assessment, the City, under the leadership of Mayor Mike Spano, determined that expanding the initiative into a permanent operational program would further enhance the City’s emergency response capabilities and officer safety.

The program deploys two temperature-controlled dock-based “Drone-in-a-Box” systems, manufactured by Nokia and flown by trained pilots using Motorola Solutions’ CAPE drone software, on opposite sides of the city. The drones can arrive anywhere in Yonkers in under three minutes to provide a rapid aerial response. They integrate into the City’s AWARE Crime Control Center, which unifies multiple sources of incident intelligence – including 911 call audio, radio traffic, and video cameras – to help officers verify information and decisively act.

The drones provide a live aerial view to the smartphones and laptops of responding officers and supervisors on the ground, helping them assess evolving situations, determine appropriate resources, and coordinate a safer, more effective response.

The hexacopter aircraft is designed to operate in harsh Northeast weather conditions and is capable of flying at up to 45 miles per hour. Each drone is equipped with high-resolution, zoom-capable, and thermal-imaging cameras, allowing officers to view incidents in low-light or limited-visibility environments.

For operational safety, the drones can detect air traffic within a three-mile radius and use built-in geofences and safety measures in Motorola Solutions’ CAPE drone software to help them avoid collisions. The platform operates over 5G cellular networks, extending connectivity across the city.

“Yonkers continues to lead when it comes to embracing innovative technology that strengthens public safety,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “The Drone as a First Responder program builds on the success of our pilot initiative and strengthens our ability to respond quickly, protect our neighborhoods, and support the men and women of the Yonkers Police Department.”

Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said, “This program represents the next evolution of public safety technology here in Yonkers. We spent countless hours evaluating the results from our 2024 trial and worked to refine a Drone as First Responder model that works for our city and the unique operational challenges that come with it. Ultimately, this technology strengthens our ability to protect the public while providing an added layer of safety for the men and women of this department.”

MSSSI VP of Real-Time Intelligence for Motorola Solutions Jim Wolfinbarger said, “In an emergency, every second matters. Motorola Solutions is proud to support the Yonkers Police Department’s new Drone as First Responder program, which brings another layer of real-time intelligence into their AWARE Crime Control Center to speed and inform officer decision-making. This technology can help to inform first responders and commanders alike to refine and fine-tune their approach to any high-risk event, thereby reducing risk and strengthening decision-making.”

The Yonkers Police Department remains committed to community trust and transparency. Drone flight logs will be publicly available on the Yonkers Police Department website, allowing residents to see how and when the drones are used. The platform will include the flight date and time, flight path, deployment duration, and the general call type or flight purpose. The drone cameras will also face the horizon when not on the scene of a call to protect community privacy.

The DFR program will initially operate on a 40-hour weekly schedule, with deployment days and hours adjusted for major events and operational needs. As the program develops, the department will evaluate opportunities for expansion to further enhance coverage and response capabilities.

The launch of the permanent DFR program underscores Yonkers’ continued investment in innovative technologies that support modern policing while maintaining transparency and accountability to the community.

Yonkers Police Department DFR Promo Video

Hits: 149

April 9, 2026, at Westchester Hills Golf Club

TOM ROACH                                                           BENJAMIN BOYKIN   

The Friends of White Plains Public Schools will honor Ben Boykin and Tom Roach, two dedicated and effective government leaders in White Plains for the past quarter century, at the 2026 Spring Fling from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Westchester Hills Golf Club.

All proceeds from the Spring Fling will go directly to fund academic and cultural enrichment programs for students in White Plains Public Schools.

School, city, county and community leaders, as well as residents and supporters, will be on hand to celebrate the honorees, who have been advocates of the White Plains Public Schools for decades. White Plains students will provide music at the event.

Ben Boykin, a finance executive, started his public service career in the mid-1990s on the White Plains School Board, served 14 years on the White Plains Common Council and has just concluded 11 years as our County Legislator.

Tom Roach, a public interest lawyer, was elected to the White Plains Common Council in 2001, became White Plains mayor in 2011 and led the fast-changing city for 15 years. He now serves as Westchester County Clerk.

The Friends of White Plains Public Schools, founded in 1997 and run entirely by volunteers, has raised and donated $650,000 to fund more than 250 academic and cultural enrichment projects and activities not covered by the District’s budget. Programs such as Broadway Dancing, science assemblies, and artists-in-residence have enriched the educational experiences of thousands of White Plains Public School students each year.

Information about the Friends and reservations for the 2026 Spring Fling is available at www.FriendsofWPPS.org.

Hits: 193

View in your browser: English | Spanish March 12, 2026   Westchester County is standing with TSA workers at HPN, who are feeling the impact of the funding standoff with the Department of Homeland Security. These men and women show up every day to keep travelers safe, and many of them are being asked to do their jobs without a paycheck. They are people with families, bills and responsibilities, and the County is distributing $20 food and beverage vouchers, in addition to providing QR codes through Feeding Westchester for assistance with weekly groceries. The ongoing actions of ICE that have raised serious concerns across the country must be addressed as part of these federal negotiations. In the meantime, Westchester County remains in touch with our federal partners to ensure any travel disruptions are kept to a minimum.     What You Need to Know   Nuclear Risk Not Welcome You’ve probably seen Indian Point in the news this week. County Executive Ken Jenkins’ stance has not changed – reopening Indian Point as a nuclear facility is a hard no. We were reminded that seismic activity can occur when we felt a 2.3 magnitude earthquake earlier this week. Remember, it was Entergy that decided to close Indian Point in 2021, and Westchester County has access to low-cost, environmentally friendly options that do not pose a threat to our communities. Protecting Our Neighborhoods Jenkins joined with leaders across the country to express concern about proposed changes to the 2026 Census Test. Reducing the number of test sites and excluding neighborhoods with significant Hispanic populations would lead to an undercount with serious consequences, affecting the distribution of federal funding and reducing the resources we deserve. Mental Health Safety Net Clinic Opens in White Plains Westchester County has officially opened the doors to a new Mental Health Safety Net Clinic in White Plains, restoring the County’s direct role in providing outpatient behavioral health services. This state-of-the-art facility will expand the County’s capacity to address service gaps, reduce waitlists, and respond to the growing demand for mental health care in Westchester County. Meet Me at the Dragon Coaster The countdown is officially on! Westchester County is preparing to welcome guests back for another unforgettable summer at Playland Park – with classic thrills, family fun and the legendary magic that has defined generations of Westchester memories. A preseason opening will be held May 16 and 17, with a grand opening ceremony planned for Saturday, May 23. I’ll meet you at the Dragon Coaster! Westchester Raises Irish Flag Irish eyes were smiling at the County’s annual Irish Heritage Month Celebration. Watch this video in case you missed it. Listen to our Weekly Podcast