Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Kitley Covill 2nd District: Spring Update from the County Health Department.

 

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

For the past year, the top priority of the Westchester County Health Department has understandably been the COVID-19 epidemic: testing, treating, educating, preventing, and now vaccinating.  But that doesn't mean that all the other regular duties of the Department have gone ignored. 

While communicable and food-borne illness numbers are down, no doubt due to mask-wearing and social distancing measures necessitated by COVID, the natural world continues its traditional springtime rhythms.

Residents are reminded to dump out standing water on their property after it rains, and to use insect repellents when outdoors in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that could carry West Nile Virus.  The County will be conducting its annual minnow giveaways to residents with ponds (this typically happens in May - distribution dates TBD). 

A free rabies clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets is being offered at Stamen Animal Hospital at 61 Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle on April 25 from 10-2. You must make an appointment at 914-632-1269. 

For more information about animal and insect borne illnesses, check out the Westchester County Health Department: https://health.westchestergov.com/environmental-health

COVID UPDATE:

Current COVID- related issues constantly evolve. Below is the most recent information given to me by the WC Health Department, which cautioned that everything is always changing.

As of now, gatherings at private residences still have a maximum of 10 people indoors, but now 25 people are allowed outdoors. The rules for non-residential venues are more complicated. As of March 22, 100 people are allowed indoors and 200 outdoors at these venues, and there is a litany of guidance involving testing, contract tracing, curtailed cocktail hours, and even specialized rules for dancing. Residents planning large events (either indoors or  outdoors) are encouraged to check in frequently with New York State to determine the most up-to-date information. Go to https://forward.ny.gov/statewide-guidelines to learn more about NYS guidelines.

We are hearing a lot about the plan for vaccinating homebound residents of the County. The Health Commissioner has stressed that due to time and personnel limitations, "Homebound" in this case must refer to individuals who are truly unable to leave their residences due to medical conditions.  Every effort will be made to offer pop-up vaccination centers in areas densely populated by senor residents, and Para Transit continues to provide vaccine transportation to seniors and disabled residents. To schedule a paratransit reservation, call 914-995-7272 ext. 1.

The Commissioner also notes that residents must accept the particular vaccine offered to them at their appointment. At this time, the County is hopeful that it will soon be receiving a robust supply of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine, but for now, the priority is to get as many people vaccinated as possible, even if that means people must contend with the inconvenience of a second shot. It is important to note that we are still seeing between 300-400 new cases of COVID per day in Westchester County, and we are a long way from being out of the woods. We must continue to work hard to get all residents vaccinated. Now that vaccination eligibility has opened up to all NYS residents 50 and over, this should move us further along in that quest. 

Very truly yours,

Kitley S. Covill