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Tag: December

Augusta Health Vaccine Clinic Update: December 30, 2021
Existing Condition
Above the previous 24 several hours, COVID-19 levels in our community achieved an unparalleled significant. At Augusta Health and fitness, we have once again escalated our Surge Approach to satisfy these escalating volumes.

Around the previous 4 times, our Augusta Well being tests positivity rate has risen to 35{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, which is a major maximize in excess of the earlier week and is expected to keep on being superior.

Our current inpatient COVID-19 census is 29, with two fatalities given that Monday.

In the 24 hrs preceding 9:00 am on Thursday, December 30, 171 new good scenarios of COVID ended up diagnosed at Augusta Wellness screening websites. This is a new document for daily constructive checks. The earlier record daily total was 120 on September 12, 2021.

This substantial prevalence and positivity amount is straining the need for COVID tests at our Urgent Cares and escalating wait around occasions noticeably. Productive instantly, in purchase to permit us to prioritize people who need treatment method, Augusta Health and fitness Urgent Cares will only check those who have COVID signs and symptoms. This new coverage is steady with other area hospitals at this time. Remember to only go to Urgent Care for COVID-19 tests if you have indications of COVID. COVID-19 exams are accessible at regional pharmacies and as a home test for those people who do not have signs or symptoms.

The Unexpected emergency Division really should be employed only by those with significant treatment wants.

Augusta Wellness is reviewing its existing Visitation Policy and will post the revised plan on Monday.

Augusta Overall health continues to align with the CDC’s isolation and quarantine guidance and tips for all those who check favourable or are uncovered to COVID-19. We advise all who might have been uncovered to follow the tips, too. These suggestions were updated on December 27.

This weekend is New Year’s Eve, a time for celebration. Make sure you rejoice responsibly: Assess the chance for exposure to COVID-19 and adapt plans as essential to continue to keep oneself and every person in the community secure and healthful. Keep property if possible. Social distance, mask and wash arms usually.

Prevention is even now the best choice to minimize the impression of COVID-19. If you are not vaccinated, be sure to get vaccinated to cut down the severity of ailment, the hazard for hospitalization, and the stage of contagiousness.

CDC Suggestions FOR ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE FOR COVID-19 for the Typical Population
Introduced Monday, December 27, 2021

IF YOU Examination Beneficial FOR COVID-19 (ISOLATE)
Absolutely everyone, irrespective of vaccination status.
- Continue to be house for 5 days.
- If you have no signs or your signs are resolving soon after 5 times, you can leave your house.
- Go on to wear a mask all-around some others for 5 more times.
  If you have a fever, go on to continue to be house till your fever resolves.
IF YOU Were being Uncovered TO Another person WITH COVID-19 (QUARANTINE)
If you:
Have been boosted
OR
Accomplished the major collection of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in just the past 6 months
OR
Completed the principal series of J&J vaccine inside the last 2 months
- Use a mask around other folks for 10 times.
- Examination on day 5, if doable.
  If you establish symptoms get a exam and remain home.
If you:
Done the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in excess of 6 months back and are not boosted
OR
Concluded the key series of J&J in excess of 2 months back and are not boosted
OR
Are unvaccinated
- Continue to be house for 5 times. After that keep on to wear a mask all around some others for 5 added times.
- If you cannot quarantine you ought to put on a mask for 10 times.
- Examination on day 5 if probable.
  If you develop indicators get a test and keep house
CDC’s up to date suggestions for isolation and quarantine harmony what we know about the unfold of the virus and the protection delivered by vaccination and booster doses. These updates ensure people can properly continue on their daily lives. Prevention is our most effective selection: get vaccinated, get boosted, dress in a mask in community indoor options in spots of significant and significant group transmission, and consider a take a look at prior to you gather.”

Supply: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-advice.html)
January 4, 2022
December 19 update from Health Department on COVID-19 cases

The Tompkins County Wellbeing Office states there have now been 10,852 whole good conditions in Tompkins County, 523 far more than on Saturday, with a full of 1,694,712 exams carried out. They also say 8,265 sufferers are stated as produced from isolation following obtaining tested beneficial, 27 new recoveries, leaving 2,587 active situations, the greatest count of the pandemic.

The Wellbeing Department described the demise of a county resident on Friday early morning, in addition to four on Tuesday early morning. “This condition continues to effect people in our community, and it is vital that we all continue to retain a single another balanced and protected.”

Similar: Cornell moves its COVID-19 alert degree to Purple for the first time

“This unparalleled rise in circumstances will demand all of us to do our element to stop further more unfold of COVID-19,” mentioned Tompkins County public health and fitness director Frank Kruppa on Sunday. “These situations are resulting from common every single-working day exercise, and though we want matters to get back to typical, we have to do what we know works to stop the distribute. Remember to wear a mask, prevent gatherings with others, and get vaccinated and boosted as soon as you are ready.”

The Well being Section says current cases clearly show substantial group distribute — over 50{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of situations are not able to trace where by they might have been contaminated. There’s considerable unfold in homes among households and at gatherings, and at huge gatherings and parties the place safeguards are not observed. “A vast majority of these new situations are among better schooling college students,” they increase.

Relevant: Initially two circumstances of Omicron variant confirmed in Tompkins County, suggests Health Department

As of Sunday at 8:30am, the Well being Division claims 820 tests were carried out considering the fact that the previous update. The Tompkins County Health and fitness Section publishes NYS vaccine tracking info, displaying 81,680 Tompkins County citizens have a initial dose and 75,355 have concluded vaccination (which could be just one or two doses, based on vaccine).

Connected: Superior transmission level for Tompkins, says Health and fitness Department

The Overall health Office suggests 12 persons are presently hospitalized for COVID-19, a single fewer than in Saturday’s update. As of a change in info previous wintertime, “TCHD is reporting only energetic cases who are hospitalized,” relatively than which include people recovered from COVID who continue to be hospitalized for other factors.

Linked: Booster doses accessible for people 18 and up, states Overall health Office

Samantha Hillson from the Health and fitness Section tells us “released from isolation” usually means the individual has been unveiled immediately after the “mandatory 10-day period of time,” but can be longer if people nonetheless have signs and symptoms or other issues. Clients really don’t always examination detrimental, as “people can exam favourable for up to 90 days.”

Linked: Booster vaccines staying available every single Wednesday at Reach

There have been 46 deaths from COVID-19 recorded amid Tompkins County citizens, which include the demise of 5 region people reported this 7 days. (Two deaths recorded in Tompkins County last spring had been of non-residents, and the Well being Section is supplying independent data.)

Similar: Pop-up youth vaccine clinics in Newfield and Lansing this week

Tompkins County General public Health Director Frank Kruppa says, “of the recent uptick in hospitalizations, a vast greater part have been of unvaccinated men and women. Of the couple of vaccinated individuals who have been hospitalized, the trend holds that they have been admitted for a non-COVID associated issue and tested beneficial on admittance.”

Connected: As cases surge and hospitals fill, New York Condition mask mandate commences Monday

On December 17, Cornell University described 225 new positive cases for December 16, 1,502 energetic student circumstances, with a 7.39{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} positivity charge. Cornell only updates its dashboard on weekdays, and the timing of their updates doesn’t allow a immediate comparison to the county’s statistics.

As of December 18, Ithaca College or university reports 216 lively college student instances, with 102 recovered, and 4 energetic employee conditions and 37 recovered staff members.

“All constructive conditions are distinctive people today,” the Overall health Division suggests. Some of the negative take a look at benefits are people required to be examined numerous occasions, and so this count is probable to replicate the very same person a number of periods in numerous situations.

The Health and fitness Office suggests its data involve tests that Cornell College commenced conducting previous summer on July 16. Cornell released its own COVID-19 information dashboard final summer season on August 25.

Associated: New Cornell COVID-19 dashboard demonstrates take a look at benefits and inform level

The Health and fitness Office suggests the community desires to prevent the distribute of COVID-19 not just to protect on their own, but other folks in our community who are most susceptible to obtaining very sick – more mature grownups, individuals who are immune-compromised, and individuals with fundamental persistent well being ailments. Absolutely everyone can acquire these actions to stop the distribute of COVID-19 and “flatten the curve” in our local community.

TCHD’s Frank Kruppa suggests, “There is a very superior vaccination level for our group, specially with the successes that have been noted by our local colleges. In addition to the arrival and surveillance screening, quite a few of our new scenarios are arising from sustained close call with a positive personal, which means a lot more than 10 minutes within just 6 toes of a good situation. These shut contacts are happening much more routinely in significant indoor gatherings that mix diverse teams of people.”

“If you do pick out to gather for the vacations, we are encouraging everybody to stick to safeguards which includes sporting a mask when indoors and remaining home if ill,” Kruppa mentioned this week. “Consider rapid tests prior to holiday getaway gatherings if out there and carefully take into consideration those people who are older or immune-compromised in these configurations. We have applications to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants: wear a mask indoors, wash palms well and normally, get vaccinated, remain property if sick and get analyzed.”

“Tompkins County is now in the ‘High’ transmission fee as outlined by the CDC,” the Wellness Division states. “High transmission level takes place when there are in excess of 100 beneficial scenarios for every 100,000 citizens above a 7-working day period. The advisory for County inhabitants to dress in a mask indoors although close to others carries on to be in location.”

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Relevant: Coronavirus coverage in 14850 Right now

December 20, 2021
ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES COVID-19 DATA UPDATE FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 11, 2021

ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES COVID-19 DATA UPDATE FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 11, 2021

ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is providing an update on COVID-19 data. For the week ending December 11, 2021, ECDOH received reports for 4,345 new COVID-19 cases among Erie County residents, a 22{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} decrease from the previous week. This weekly case count is very similar to pre-Thanksgiving holiday levels. Erie County’s COVID-19 case rate of 455 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for the week ending December 11 is a decrease from the previous week’s case rate of 580. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set a case rate threshold of 100 or more cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for a community to be considered to have “high transmission.”

31{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of new COVID-19 cases last week were among city of Buffalo residents. For reference, city of Buffalo residents make up 29{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of all Erie County residents. This past week the ZIP codes with the highest seven-day case rates per 100,000 persons were: 14202 (Buffalo, 29 cases), 14034 (Collins, 19 cases), 14218 (Buffalo, 131 cases), 14032 (Clarence Center, 53 cases) and 14212 (Buffalo, 70 cases). The small population of some of these ZIP codes can be impacted by a relatively small number of new COVID-19 cases. Eight ZIP codes have 7-day case rates of more than 600 new cases per 100,000 residents.

Contact tracing case investigations continue to note family and household clusters of COVID-19 cases. With the holiday season approaching, ECDOH encourages people who plan to gather with friends and family to stay home and away from others if ill. Also, COVID-19 testing is a tool to make sure you know your COVID-19 status before small gatherings, especially if other guests are elderly, have chronic medical or immunocompromising conditions, are pregnant, or unvaccinated.

About 48,000 COVID-19 test reports were received last week, an increase from the previous week’s total. Weekly test reports have remained stable over the past four weeks. ECDOH and health care providers within Erie County still have substantial diagnostic testing capacity. People who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should strongly consider a diagnostic COVID-19 test. The New York State Department of Health maintains a list of testing locations. ECDOH created a list of community COVID-19 testing resources for parents and caregivers. Free COVID-19 tests are available through ECDOH by calling 716-858-2929 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required for COVID-19 testing through ECDOH. Wait times for ECDOH appointment telephone line are longest in the morning. Callers may choose to call after 10 a.m. if they want to avoid a wait.

The weekly positivity rate was 9.0{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, down from 10.8{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} for the week ending December 4. Positivity rates declined in all age groups, though children under age 18 years continue to have the highest positivity rates. For all cases under age 18, the positivity percentage was 10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}; for all case ages 18 years and older, the positivity percentage was 8.7{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}. These higher positivity rates for children may reflect lower relative numbers of tests in these age groups, and a higher likelihood that symptomatic children and adolescents will seek a COVID-19 test for return to school purposes. The 30-39-year-old age group had the highest number of COVID-19 cases last week; this age group also had the highest 7-day case rate per 100,000 persons, at 738.

For children under age 18 years, case totals decreased from the previous week by about 23{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, to 1,345 cases, in line with the 22{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} decrease in countywide cases.

The school team in the ECDOH Office of Epidemiology is managing a large volume of cases among k-12 students and school staff. Data for the week ending December 4 are incomplete* because official test reports are pending. The Thanksgiving holiday may have contributed to a lower number of tests and positive test results for the week ending November 27.

With 374 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in Erie County hospitals on December 12, 2021, the number of patients admitted to Erie County hospitals with COVID-19 has remained stable over the past two weeks. [See chart at end of release]. 258 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (69{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) were not fully vaccinated. Among those patients, 59 (77{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) of 77 patients admitted to the ICU were not fully vaccinated; and, 42 (79{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) of 53 patients with an airway assist were not fully vaccinated. Vaccines work to reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) publishes statewide data for COVID-19 cases over time by vaccination status, and daily hospital admissions over time by vaccination status.

ECDOH is reporting COVID-19 mortality data. ECDOH received reports of 52 COVID-19 associated deaths in the past seven days; these reports were from November and December. Total COVID-19-related deaths from March 2020 to December 9, 2021 now stand at 2,255, with 979 reported in 2021. CDC publishes national rates of COVID-19 related cases, hospitalizations and deaths by vaccination status at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status.

Through December 13, 26.1{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of 5-11-year-olds in Erie County have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. All adult age groups have at least 70{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of those populations with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Additional data, including vaccination estimates by ZIP code, are posted to the ECDOH web site. NYSDOH also updates vaccination data by demographics, by county and by ZIP code.

ECDOH has an active schedule of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, listed at www.erie.gov/vax. Additional clinics have been added throughout the county through December 30. Clinics for 5-11-year-olds are listed at www.erie.gov/vax. ECDOH will also vaccinate any eligible Erie County resident at their home. Call (716) 858-2929 for the “Vax Visit” program.

ECDOH encourages Erie County residents who are not fully vaccinated to begin their COVID-19 vaccine series. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for youth and families attending school or child care.

Following recent FDA authorization for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for 16- and 17-year-olds, ECDOH vaccine clinics will provide a COVID-19 booster dose to anyone age 16 years and older as long as enough time has elapsed from their initial series completion (6 months for Pfizer and Moderna; 2 months for J&J). ECDOH encourages people to review the recommended booster eligibility criteria, evaluate their risk factors and talk to their own physician with questions. NYSDOH has further information about booster doses.

Finally, CDC and NYSDOH have begun to report influenza data for the 2021-2022 flu season. Influenza activity remains low nationally but continues to increase. There are early signs that flu vaccination uptake is down this season compared to last. ECDOH reminds all residents that there is still time to get a flu vaccine; flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. Flu can have serious complications for older adults, individuals with immunocompromising medical conditions, pregnant women and infants.

Chart: Erie County Hospitalization Data, last two weeks (November 29- December 12, 2021).
Data Sources: New York State Department of Health and Erie County hospitals

#

ECDOH, COVID-19 vaccine info & clinic schedule: http://www.erie.gov/vax

ECDOH, COVID-19 Information Line: (716) 858-2929 – foreign language interpretation available

ECDOH, COVID-19 Weekly Data Updates: https://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=covid-19-media-data

New York State Department of Health, COVID-19 Boosters: http://ny.gov/boosters

###

December 15, 2021
December 12 update from Health Department on COVID-19 cases

The Tompkins County Overall health Department says there have now been 8,814 whole positive conditions in Tompkins County, 344 a lot more than on Saturday, with a whole of 1,664,240 checks done. They also say 8,001 sufferers are outlined as released from isolation right after having analyzed beneficial, 38 new recoveries, leaving 772 active cases. It is the optimum solitary-day situation depend of the pandemic.

Similar: Cornell returns its COVID-19 warn stage to Yellow

“What we’re observing domestically is component of the larger sized craze throughout the condition and state,” suggests Tompkins County health-related director Dr. William Klepack. “While this is an improve in situations, the defense supplied by all of our vaccines is exceptional and vaccinated folks are really guarded against symptomatic ailment and hospitalization, which include from variants.”

Similar: Initial two conditions of Omicron variant verified in Tompkins County, suggests Well being Division

As of Sunday at 10:30am, the Overall health Department suggests 947 assessments had been performed due to the fact the last update. The Tompkins County Wellbeing Department publishes NYS vaccine tracking data, showing 81,025 Tompkins County residents have a initially dose and 74,939 have concluded vaccination (which could be one or two doses, dependent on vaccine).

Connected: Significant transmission charge for Tompkins, suggests Overall health Section

The Health and fitness Division states nine folks are now hospitalized for COVID-19, a single less than in Saturday’s update. As of a change in data final winter season, “TCHD is reporting only lively instances who are hospitalized,” alternatively than which include sufferers recovered from COVID who stay hospitalized for other good reasons.

Associated: Booster doses out there for all those 18 and up, suggests Wellbeing Department

Samantha Hillson from the Wellness Division tells us “released from isolation” usually means the patient has been unveiled immediately after the “mandatory ten-day period,” but can be extended if individuals nonetheless have signs or other problems. Individuals do not automatically test detrimental, as “people can exam favourable for up to 90 days.”

Relevant: Booster vaccines being available every Wednesday at Reach

There have been 41 deaths from COVID-19 recorded amid Tompkins County people, which include the loss of life of two area inhabitants reported last week. (Two fatalities recorded in Tompkins County very last spring ended up of non-citizens, and the Health Department is providing different data.)

Related: County experiences demise of vaccinated 93-calendar year-aged COVID client

Tompkins County General public Wellbeing Director Frank Kruppa claims, “of the latest uptick in hospitalizations, a wide the vast majority have been of unvaccinated people today. Of the several vaccinated individuals who have been hospitalized, the craze retains that they have been admitted for a non-COVID relevant challenge and examined optimistic upon admittance.”

On December 10, Cornell College documented 62 new positive conditions for December 9, 105 active college student instances, with a 1.00{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} positivity amount. Cornell only updates its dashboard on weekdays, and the timing of their updates does not make it possible for a direct comparison to the county’s studies.

As of December 11, Ithaca School reviews 42 active student scenarios, 32 amongst people, with 99 recovered, and four active worker conditions and 31 recovered staff.

Relevant: Cornell returns its COVID-19 alert degree to Environmentally friendly

“All positive circumstances are distinctive individuals,” the Health and fitness Office suggests. Some of the damaging check results are individuals necessary to be analyzed multiple times, and so this depend is very likely to mirror the similar human being many occasions in many scenarios.

The Overall health Department claims its data include things like tests that Cornell College commenced conducting very last summer season on July 16. Cornell launched its own COVID-19 details dashboard previous summer on August 25.

Linked: New Cornell COVID-19 dashboard displays take a look at success and inform degree

The Wellbeing Office suggests the general public wants to prevent the spread of COVID-19 not just to safeguard them selves, but others in our neighborhood who are most susceptible to obtaining really ill – more mature grownups, those who are immune-compromised, and all those with fundamental serious health and fitness circumstances. Anyone can get these techniques to halt the distribute of COVID-19 and “flatten the curve” in our community.

TCHD’s Frank Kruppa claims, “There is a really higher vaccination fee for our local community, primarily with the successes that have been noted by our community faculties. In addition to the arrival and surveillance screening, lots of of our new circumstances are arising from sustained close get hold of with a good unique, which means additional than 10 minutes within 6 ft of a optimistic circumstance. These close contacts are taking place additional usually in substantial indoor gatherings that combine diverse teams of folks.”

“Tompkins County is now in the ‘High’ transmission charge as described by the CDC,” the Overall health Office states. “High transmission rate happens when there are about 100 favourable cases for each 100,000 inhabitants about a 7-day time period. The advisory for County inhabitants to wear a mask indoors when about other folks proceeds to be in area.”

For extra, observe 14850.com on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or subscribe to the 14850 Journal Each day e-newsletter.

Relevant: Coronavirus coverage in 14850 Today

December 13, 2021
ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES COVID-19 DATA UPDATE FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 4, 2021

ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES COVID-19 DATA UPDATE FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 4, 2021

ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is providing an update on COVID-19 data. For the week ending December 4, 2021, ECDOH received reports for 5,537 new COVID-19 cases among Erie County residents, a 30{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} increase from the previous week and represents an all-time weekly high total of cases. Erie County’s COVID-19 case rate of 580 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for the week ending December 4 is an increase from the previous week’s case rate of 448. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set a case rate threshold of 100 or more cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days for a community to be considered to have “high transmission.”

29{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of new COVID-19 cases last week were among city of Buffalo residents. For reference, city of Buffalo residents make up 29{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of all Erie County residents. This past week the ZIP codes with the highest seven-day case rates per 100,000 persons were: 14203 (Buffalo, 20 cases), 14055 (East Concord, 15 cases), 14057 (Eden, 75 cases), 14218 (Lackawanna, 173 cases) and 14086 (Lancaster, 278 cases). Five ZIP codes had a case rate of more than 800 new cases per 100,000 residents over seven days. Of note: 14203 and 14055 ZIP codes have smaller populations, and their case rate can be impacted significantly by case totals. Twenty-five ZIP codes have 7-day case rates of more than 600 new cases per 100,000 residents.

Contact tracing case investigations continue to note family and household clusters of COVID-19 cases. With the holiday season approaching, ECDOH encourages people who plan to gather with friends and family to stay home and away from others if ill. Also, COVID-19 testing is a tool to make sure you know your COVID-19 status before small gatherings, especially if other guests are elderly, have chronic medical or immunocompromising conditions, are pregnant, or unvaccinated.

About 51,000 COVID-19 test reports were received last week, an increase from the previous week’s total, and the most tests reported in one week since April 2021. Weekly test reports have remained stable over the past four weeks. ECDOH and health care providers within Erie County still have substantial diagnostic testing capacity. People who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should strongly consider a diagnostic COVID-19 test. The New York State Department of Health maintains a list of testing locations. ECDOH created a list of community COVID-19 testing resources for parents and caregivers. Free COVID-19 NAAT tests are available through ECDOH by calling 716-858-2929 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required for COVID-19 testing through ECDOH. Wait times for ECDOH appointment telephone line are longest in the morning. Callers may choose to call after 10 a.m. if they want to avoid a wait.

The weekly positivity rate was 10.8{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, up from 9.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} for the week ending November 27. This is the highest weekly positivity percentage since the earliest stages of the pandemic in May 2020, when testing capacity was low. The 30-39-year-old age group had the highest number of COVID-19 cases last week; this age group also had the highest 7-day case rate per 100,000 persons, at 899. The age groups with the highest positivity rates children under 14 years old: 12{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} for 0-4-year-olds; 13.2{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} for 5-10-year-olds; 16.4{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} for 11-13-year-olds; and, 13.7{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} for 14-17-year-olds. These higher positivity rates may reflect lower relative numbers of tests in these age groups, and a higher likelihood that symptomatic children and adolescents will seek a COVID-19 test for return to school purposes.

For children under age 18 years, case totals increased from the previous week by about 25{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, to 1,345 cases.

Cases among children under 18 years comprised 25{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of all cases reported for last week.

The school team in the ECDOH Office of Epidemiology is managing a large volume of cases among k-12 students and school staff. Data for the week ending November 27 are incomplete* because official test reports are pending. The Thanksgiving holiday may have contributed to a lower number of tests and positive test results for the week ending November 27. These weekly totals remain higher than at any other point in this academic year or the previous academic year.

With 376 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in Erie County hospitals on December 5, 2021, the number of patients admitted to Erie County hospitals with COVID-19 has ranged from a low of 284 hospitalizations to a high of 376 hospitalizations over the past two weeks [See chart at end of release]. 257 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (68{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) were not fully vaccinated. Among those patients, 51 (74{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) of 69 patients admitted to the ICU were not fully vaccinated; and, 36 (72{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) of 50 patients with an airway assist were not fully vaccinated. Vaccines work to reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) publishes statewide data for COVID-19 cases over time by vaccination status, and daily hospital admissions over time by vaccination status.

ECDOH is reporting COVID-19 mortality data. ECDOH received reports of 52 COVID-19 associated deaths in the past seven days; these reports were from October, November and December. Total COVID-19-related deaths from March 2020 to December 2, 2021 now stand at 2,203, with 927 reported in 2021. CDC publishes national rates of COVID-19 related cases, hospitalizations and deaths by vaccination status at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status.

With data compiled by the ECDOH epidemiology office through December 6, 2021, 23.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of 5-11-year-olds in Erie County have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Additional data, including vaccination estimates by ZIP code, are posted to the ECDOH web site. NYSDOH also updates vaccination data by demographics, by county and by ZIP code.

ECDOH has an active schedule of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, listed at www.erie.gov/vax. Additional clinics have been added throughout the county through December 30. Clinics for 5-11-year-olds are listed at www.erie.gov/vax. ECDOH will also vaccinate any eligible Erie County resident at their home. Call (716) 858-2929 for the “Vax Visit” program.

ECDOH encourages Erie County residents who are not fully vaccinated to begin their COVID-19 vaccine series. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for youth and families attending school or child care.

ECDOH vaccine clinics will provide a COVID-19 booster dose to anyone age 18 and older as long as enough time has elapsed from their initial series completion (6 months for Pfizer and Moderna; 2 months for J&J). ECDOH encourages people to review the recommended booster eligibility criteria, evaluate their risk factors and talk to their own physician with questions. NYSDOH has further information about booster doses.

Chart: Erie County Hospitalization Data, last two weeks (November 22, 2021-December 5, 2021); data for Nov. 25, 2021 not available due to Thanksgiving holiday.

Data Sources: New York State Department of Health and Erie County hospitals

#

ECDOH, COVID-19 vaccine info & clinic schedule: http://www.erie.gov/vax

ECDOH, COVID-19 Information Line: (716) 858-2929 – foreign language interpretation available

ECDOH, COVID-19 Weekly Data Updates: https://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=covid-19-media-data

New York State Department of Health, COVID-19 Boosters: http://ny.gov/boosters

###

December 10, 2021
AOC & GOP cannabis expungements bill in Congress (Newsletter: December 3, 2021)
NYC safe consumption sites for drugs; Financial orgs want marijuana banking in NDAA; Jamaica’s new “good ganja sense” campaign

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said “there’s no evidence to my knowledge that occasional [adult] marijuana use has harmful effects.”
- “I don’t know of any scientific evidence of that.”
New York City opened the first safe consumption sites for illegal drugs in the U.S. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration, which has voiced support for harm reduction approaches in general, will respond.

The Credit Union National Association, Defense Credit Union Council and National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions sent a letter urging Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation through the National Defense Authorization Act.

Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness launched a new “Good Ganja Sense” campaign to smash myths about cannabis and boost education. It features bus ads, a website and a catchy jingle.

/ FEDERAL

A federal judge paused the deadline for filing pretrial motions in the case of an alleged Maine marijuana and money-laundering operation involving public officials to give the defendants more time to review evidence.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) said he thinks there’s a “good chance” of passing marijuana banking legislation through the National Defense Authorization Act. He also tweeted about bipartisan backing for the move, saying, “I appreciate the support of these Senators – as well as @SenatorHick & @SenatorBennet. By including #SAFEBanking in the final NDAA, we can safeguard our financial system, reduce the public safety risk & better support small & minority-owned businesses.”

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) and former Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), who did not support marijuana legalization while in office, joined the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation as co-chairs.

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Charles Booker tweeted, “When I get to the Senate, I will file the legislation to finally legalize cannabis, and will call it the Gatewood Galbraith Justice and Healing Act.”

Kentucky Democratic congressional candidate William Compton tweeted, “In congress, I would fully support legalizing Marijuana on the federal level. Kentucky’s cash crop had always been tobacco, why can’t we add Marijuana to create more revenue?”

/ STATES

Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “60{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of Pennsylvanians support marijuana legalization. Every second wasted on this is another second folks who’ve possessed small amounts of marijuana spend dealing with an unjust record. Let’s get it done.”

Illinois’s lieutenant governor hosted an event about a marijuana revenue-funded grant program, saying, “The #R3 program invests 25{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of adult-cannabis tax revenues back into communities that have suffered historic disinvestment. Our goal is to repair the harm by investing in these communities, and this work can only be done in collaboration with those same communities.”

Mississippi lawmakers said they plan to pass a medical cannabis bill early in 2022.

A Massachusetts senator filed a bill, by request of a citizen, that would amend alcohol regulations to mirror more restrictive marijuana ones.

The New Mexico legislature’s Finance Authority Oversight Committee discussed the cannabis microbusiness loan program at a hearing. Separately, regulators will hold a public hearing on proposed marijuana labor peace agreements and solvents rules on Wednesday.

The Oklahoma Senate will hold a hearing with medical cannabis regulators on Wednesday.

Maryland’s House Cannabis Legalization Workgroup will meet on Wednesday.

Connecticut regulators increased the acceptable amount of mold in tested marijuana products without issuing a formal rule about the change.

The California Cannabis Control Appeals Panel proposed rules changes.

New Jersey regulators posted a webinar about the marijuana business license application process.

—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—

/ LOCAL

McGraw, New York voters narrowly approved a ballot measure to allow retail sales and on-site consumption of marijuana.

The Greensport, New York Board of Trustees voted to opt out of allowing marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities.

The Toms River, New Jersey Township Council voted to permanently ban recreational marijuana businesses.

The Missoula, Montana City Council approved marijuana regulations.

The city of Gloucester, Massachusetts is being sued by a marijuana business over allegedly excessive and illegal community impact fees that must be paid in order to operate.

The Hartford, Connecticut Planning & Zoning Commission’s draft marijuana rules would encourage dispensaries to be located downtown.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Mexico’s Supreme Court will consider a case challenging the prohibition on growing hemp on Wednesday.

Spanish lawmakers said they will seek to pass marijuana legalization legislation in 2022.

Singapore’s Court of Appeal upheld death sentences for two men convicted of conspiring to traffic marijuana.

New Brunswick, Canada’s finance minister filed a bill to allow privately run marijuana stores and direct-from-producer farmgate operations.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “high CBD cannabis extracts downregulate the expression of several key fibrotic genes indicating their anti-fibrotic potential at the transcriptional level.”

A review concluded that “both classical and a-typical psychedelics are promising treatment options in patients with terminal illness.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Marijuana Policy Project hired a communications director who previously worked for members of Congress.

The Chacruna Institute published a guide for best practices for psychedelic plant medicine churches.

The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America is urging people to ask members of Congress not to include marijuana banking language in the National Defense Authorization Act.

/ BUSINESS

Harborside Inc. is acquiring UL Holdings Inc. and LPF JV Corporation and is expected to rename itself as StateHouse Holdings. The company also announced a non-brokered private placement of units worth gross proceeds of up to $10 million.

Flower One Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $14.1 million.

Headset raised an $8.6 million funding round.

The Parent Company has a new managing director of social equity ventures and chief people officer.

/ CULTURE

Aaron Carter said he smoked marijuana with Michael Jackson.

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December 4, 2021