Mayor's Message:Covid-19 Update February 18 2021
Posted on: February 18, 2021 - 4:29pm
Dear everyone,
A few of you have reached out to inquire about the covid infection rate in our village as our numbers have been going up. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything definitive to share, but below, I lay out the current situation as I understand it. There is also some information about vaccines, including eligibility criteria, vaccination locations and availability, and measures we have in place in the Village to aid our elders in getting vaccinated.
HoH Latest Case Counts
As you know, the Westchester County covid-19 map, is now available online (see HERE). It shows that there are 53 active cases in the Village, with 1 new case reported yesterday, and a total of 491 cases reported since March last year. Here is the monthly count:
- March: 55 cases
- April: 49 cases
- May: 9 cases
- June: 20 cases
- July: 6 cases
- August: 4 cases
- September: 9 cases
- October: 6 cases
- November: 50 cases
- December: 91 cases
- January: 129
- February: 63 so far … (note that this time a month ago we had 72 cases)
The chart above puts the monthly data in graphic form, with case count on one axis and dates on the other, and you can see that in January we had as many cases in one month as we had for the first four months that cases were counted. We are still in the lowest quartile of municipalities in Westchester in terms of reported cases, but now we have the 8th lowest number of total reported cases out of 44 municipalities (we have overtaken Pelham Manor and are close behind North Salem).
Some of you, like me, are concerned with this uptick in numbers, and have reached out with theories as to the cause– people have speculated that the numbers are from Andrus, or the school, or “super-spreader” events, or faster spreading variants, or lax behavior by residents. I have been in touch with the County Health Department to see if any of these theories bear out. They say our numbers don't stand out in any special way as compared to other municipalities and, at least to-date, there is no evidence of a super-spreader event or new variants in the Village.
There are a few things I do know about the numbers.
- Andrus: There are no active cases at Andrus right now.
- Non-Resident Cases: Some of the cases appear to be young adults who are not living in the village and are either away at college or are living somewhere else (they may be listed here because they are still on their parents insurance). We are not sure exactly how many positive cases are in this category but it accounts for some of them.
- Intra-Family Spread: Most of our cases have been a result of intra-family spread. Some families have been very successful in isolating the first person who became sick while they cared for that person, but it is extremely difficult to do. What typically happens is a person gets sick, then a few days later another family member is diagnosed, and then the virus spreads through rest of the family. Sometimes, just as the first family member comes out of isolation, the last family member ends up coming down with the virus. While this explains how the spread happens within a family, it doesn't really help with explaining how the first person contracted the virus.
- Asymptomatic Cases: Residents have reported that several members of their family have been asymptomatic, especially children.
- No Known Reason for Getting Covid: A number of people who were infected recently tell me they are unsure how they got covid as they have been more-or-less holed up at home - they say they order in groceries and food and are generally very cautious.
So What is the Key Take Away?
The absence of a compelling causal narrative for the increase in our numbers is frustrating. The main take away to me is that we need to be exercising even more vigilance than ever before. Here are some things we can all do that may help keep our numbers in check:
- Behave as if the New Variants Are Here: Just to reiterate, we don’t have evidence that any of the new more contagious variants have reached our Village yet, but my advice is to behave as if they have arrived. See HERE for more information about new variants, and note so far 70 cases of the UK variant (B.1.1.7) have been reported in New York State (see HERE). The studies on these variants are very new, and while we know they spread more quickly we don’t know definitively if they cause more severe disease in people (there is some evidence to suggest this is the case for the UK variant). The research to date suggests that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants, but more studies are underway to confirm.
- Double up Your Mask: The CDC has determined that snug and doubled-up masks can help prevent the spread of covid (see HERE). There are some ways you can improve how your mask works, including using a mask with a nose wire, using mask fitters and braces (see HERE on how to get or make one) and knotting and tucking the ear loops so the mask fits better. Also consider choosing a different mask depending on the situation. While you should always be wearing a mask in public, choose to double up when you expect to have more contact with people (e.g. at the grocery or in an office) vs. when you out on a walk in the woods. And finally, ask yourself if it is time to replace and upgrade your mask after all those months of wear.
- Stay in Your Bubbles, Avoid Crowds and Poorly Ventilated Indoor Spaces: We have known for months that staying away from crowds and meeting people outdoors is a proven safety measure. Now is not the time to be having parties or mixing in groups! And given the number of cases of asymptomatic spread, especially among children, do check in with your kids about what precautions they are taking when they are away from you and with their friends (e.g. at lunch time, walking home from school etc.). Now is the time to recheck in that everyone is still staying within the family bubble.
State Vaccine Website
As you know, the State has rolled out a vaccine website (see HERE), which answers many of the questions people have about who is eligible to receive the vaccine and the process for signing up to get one. Before receiving a vaccination, eligible New Yorkers must complete a form, which you can find HERE. There are strict rules about who can get the vaccine. It is being distributed in a phased approach according to priority group and only people who are currently eligible can receive it. The goal is to ensure equity in the distribution (no jumping the line) and already there are reports of vaccine related scams, so please be alert.
Right now, we are in Phase 1B of distribution. The list of eligible recipients can be found HERE, or you can use the “Am I Eligible” app to check if you or a loved one qualifies (see HERE). On February 15th, the Governor extended the eligibility requirements to people who have a range of underlying conditions, and we expect the list will gradually expand to include more and more categories of people over the next few months. If you are eligible but have already had covid you should consult your doctor about when you should get vaccinated.
Locations (by Appointment Only)
Most eligible people age 65 and over will be vaccinated at pharmacies and other sites that are part of the State’s “retail network.” You can use the State’s online tool to find a convenient location (see HERE), or you can call the COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline, which is open 7AM to 10PM, 7 days a week, to schedule an appointment: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). Westchester County has published the Westchester Covid-19 Vaccine Appointment Finder & Registration Guide to help residents navigate the process (see HERE).
You can only get a vaccination by appointment. Apparently some vaccination sites have the words “walk-in” outside, but in the context of the vaccination roll out this means you need to go inside the site vs. drive by to get your vaccination, and you still need an appointment. When you arrive at your appointment you must bring proof of eligibility. This may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on your specific priority status. If you are eligible due to age, you should bring a form of ID that includes your date of birth (like a Driver's License or passport). Many people report a stronger reaction to the second dose of vaccine so once you get it don’t over exert yourself – plan to settle in and sleep it off!
Vaccinations in HoH
In January, we mobilized our Senior Outreach Coordinator and our Parks and Recreation team to help elders who would like support getting vaccinated. Greenleaf, our local pharmacy is an eligible vaccine provider (it also provides flu shots here in the Village). We teamed up with Greenleaf Pharmacy and everyone on our “Are You OK” list who wants a vaccine is also on the Greenleaf list. If you are over 65 and would like to be added to the list, please call Lisa O’Reilly at 914-478-2380. Note that Greenleaf has not yet received its allotted doses of the vaccine.
Trustworthy Information
If you want to know more about the vaccination or have concerns about whether you should get it, the person to consult is your doctor or healthcare provider. There is also lots of information on the CDC website, which has been vetted by doctors and is reliable (see HERE). See below for some other links that might be useful:
- For the daily State tracker information see HERE.
- For the Covid-19 Cluster Zones maps click HERE (there are now no zones in our area).
- For information on the Governor’s travel rules see HERE (note that the quarantine days have been reduced from 14 to 10 days)
- For the County’s Covid-19 test site finder see HERE.
- To donate blood to be used for convalescent plasma via the New York Blood Center see HERE.
The restrictions we all have to deal with as a result of covid are wearing on each of us but please don't let your guard down now! We have to keep doing what works: wear a mask (or two!), stay six feet apart, wash your hands, meet outside if you can, and make smart choices … With the vaccine roll out in full swing it’s as important as ever to be vigilant and to make an effort to stay safe and keep others safe.
Please take care of one another and feel free to reach out to me if you have specific questions, concerns or stories to share: mayor@hastingsgov.org
Sincerely,
Nicola Armacost
Mayor