Latimer Urges Westchester Residents To Get Flu Shot

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Using himself as an example, Westchester County George Latimer received a flu shot Thursday to urge all the county's residents to get vaccinated this year.

Both Latimer and county Commissioner of Health Dr. Sherlita Amler said that it was more important that ever to get a flu shot this year because of the ongoing new coronavirus pandemic.

"We all know that 2020 has proven to be a challenging year for our health and safety," Latimer said. "We have been faced with an unprecedented pandemic — one that has made many of our friends and neighbors sick in a way unlike anything we've seen before. Don't put off your flu shot any longer, make an appointment to get vaccinated today."

Amler said that getting a flu shot is one thing everyone can do to keep each other safer over the fall and winter.

"Getting your flu shot will ultimately lessen the strain on our healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will help keep people out of local hospitals," she said.

Plus getting a flu shot helps to take influenza out of the mix if you are sick and your physician can put more emphasis on whether you are ill because of the coronavirus.

Amler shot down the idea that someone can get the flu from the vaccine. She said the vaccine is not made with live viruses. If a person gets the flu shortly after being vaccinated, it was likely because he or she was already infected with the flu virus.

Flu activity is usually highest between December and February, but can last into May, medical experts said. One flu vaccine now provides protection all season long and can prevent illness or reduce the severity of flu symptoms. The vaccine becomes fully effective after about two weeks.

Amler said that anyone who does get a respiratory infection should cough or sneeze into their elbow, wash their hands frequently with soap and water, stay home until 24 hours after their fever subsides to avoid spreading germs, clean surfaces they touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones, and get plenty of rest.

In response to a question about the city of New Rochelle sending out a coronavirus update to its residents that warned of a rise in infection rates, Latimer said that each community communicates differently to their residents.

New Rochelle's 10801 ZIP code appeared Tuesday on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Top 20 list of highest positive infection rates in the state. The city had a 3 percent positivity rate with four positive results out of 137 tests for Monday.

Rye Brook's 10573 ZIP code was listed in the governor's Top 20 list released Thursday. The ZIP code had an 8 percent positive rate for Wednesday, resulting in a three- and seven-day average rate of 3 percent.

Latimer said the county, while paying attention to the daily infection rate, also pays attention to the number of hospitalizations and deaths, both of which he said were stable and not showing a steady increase.

"As I've looked at the numbers right now, we are watching," he said, "we are always concerned. We see certain numbers that may be robust, but it is not yet a trend of an uptick in Westchester."

Below is the map of cumulative and active coronavirus cases released Thursday for the county.

SEE ALSO:

• New Rochelle Tells Residents Coronavirus Cases Rising In City
• Coronavirus Spikes In Orange, Rockland, Westchester: Cuomo

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