Putnam Leads NYS in Flu Cases

Last month, Putnam County had the highest rate of flu cases compared to all other counties in the state, according to the NYS Department of Health.

For the week ending Dec. 20, Putnam’s rate was 918 cases per 100,000. This incidence rate was not only the highest in the state, but also 61 percent higher than the next highest county – Nassau, on Long Island.

For residents with challenges accessing flu vaccines, the health department will offer the shots to both children and adults. Vaccines are also available at pharmacies and through healthcare providers.

“More than half of our flu cases are in children from 5 through 17 years of age,” said Health Director Rian Rodriguez. “We urge residents to take precautions and stay home when sick to avoid spreading germs. It is also not too late to get vaccinated, since flu season typically runs until late April or early May, and vaccines remain the best preventative measure.”

After children, the second most vulnerable population is older adults. Like children, seniors can have compromised immune systems. While infants’ immune systems are still developing, older adults have immune systems that may have changed and weakened.  

Flu vaccines are available at no-cost for both under- and uninsured adults and children at the health department. COVID vaccines are also available for adults. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 845-808-1332.

With insurance, others can find a vaccine by visiting https://vaccinefinder.org, https://cveep.org/vaccine-locator, or www.easyvax.com/dtcpdsearch. 

Residents are reminded to watch for flu symptoms in infants and the elderly, who are at highest risk of serious complications and death. These symptoms include fever, runny or stuffy nose, worsening cough, body aches, headache, sore throat, tiredness, and possible nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

These symptoms can progress quickly and should be taken seriously to avoid tragic outcomes.

The health department has reached out to healthcare providers in Putnam including nurses at local schools to alert them of this rapid rise in case numbers. Residents can monitor the weekly shifts in cases of all respiratory diseases in Putnam via the online Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard at www.putnamcountyny.gov/respdash.