ITHACA, N.Y.— Tompkins County Whole Health Medical Director Dr. William Klepack said he and his colleagues are concerned about what’s to come in the next few weeks, with data from the CDC and New York State showing rapid increases in infection rates for both COVID-19 and influenza.
“We may well see an increase in hospitalizations,” he said. “Particularly among people who aren’t vaccinated and those more vulnerable to serious illness.”
According to the most recent data from New York State Department of Health, 91 positive COVID-19 cases were reported in Tompkins County on Jan. 4 for the seven days prior. The weekly case rate per 100,000 people in the county was reported as 89.1.
Back in December of last year, the Whole Health Department released a health alert, reporting a 47% increase in COVID-19 cases the first two weeks of the month, with 59 cases reported the week of Dec. 11.
That same week, flu cases in the county increased by 44%, with 21 positive cases reported. As of Dec. 30, county data shows 40 positive cases.
In New York, more than 3,200 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Friday, Jan.5, which marks a 48% increase from the 2,250 that were hospitalized before Christmas, according to reporting from the Times Union.
Klepack said the county’s viral infection rate data shows COVID-19 and influenza cases increasing in parallel rates over the last four to five weeks.
“With influenza, the risk of becoming seriously ill also exists for the very young, as well,” he said.
The data shows only one new hospital admission in the county for the same week, which Klepack said is encouraging. That marks a decrease compared to the last few weeks, when data showed about four new hospitalizations per week.
Students are scheduled to resume classes at Ithaca College and Cornell University on Jan. 22, which Klepack said is likely to contribute to a rise in infection rates.
He encouraged residents in the county to “stick to the basics” in protecting themselves from infection, like thorough hand washing, wearing respiratory masks when sick and taking consistent at-home tests to slow the spread.
Whole Health Commissioner Frank Kruppa asked the public in December to take steps to reduce the risk of infection during the holiday season. Klepack reiterated how effective both vaccines are in reducing a person’s chance of developing a serious illness from COVID-19 and influenza and ending up in the hospital. Since it’s possible to be infected with the flu more than once in a season, due to its multiple strains, “it’s not too late” to get the vaccine, Klepack said.
“If you’re not boosted with a fall booster, they should be, because it’s tailored for the family of viruses from COVID that we’re seeing now,” he said. Fortunately, the variants health officials are seeing now, namely JN.1, are in the same “family group,” he said, so previous vaccines do remain effective.
The Tompkins County Public Library located at 101 E. Green St. in downtown Ithaca provides free at-home COVID-19 test kits and KN95 masks for children and adults. Select municipal centers have test kits and masks for distribution.
Tests and masks can also be picked up, free of charge, at the Whole Health office located at 55 Brown Road during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
To schedule an appointment to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or the flu, call your primary care provider or schedule with a local pharmacy. You can also use the website www.vaccines.gov to find a location near you. If you need assistance in scheduling an appointment online, dial 2-1-1 to speak with the helpline.
The flu vaccine, including the high-dose flu vaccine, is available at Whole Health’s on-site immunization clinics for children and adults with or without health insurance.
To schedule an appointment time, call Whole Health Community Health Services at 607-274-6604. The new COVID-19 vaccine is also available at these clinics, though it’s limited for children and adults eligible for the state funding Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults (VFA) programs.
To check your eligibility or to schedule an appointment time, call Whole Health Community Health Services at 607-274-6604.