Everyone is sick

CARMEL- No matter where you travel during the holiday weekend, it seems as though everyone is ill with the bug.

Physicians’ offices, hospital emergency rooms, urgent care centers and pharmacies have been jammed with patients seeking treatment.

The New York State Department of Health announced on Friday that the Empire State is experiencing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week.

The department’s most recent data shows a total of 71,123 positive flu cases reported for the seven days ending on December 20.  That number represents the highest number of cases that the department has ever recorded in one week since influenza was made reportable in 2004.  This is a rise of 38 percent over the previous week.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said; “We are closely reviewing hospital bed capacity data to better understand hospitalization trends and to guide any necessary response related to impacts from respiratory viral infections.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Frank Kessler of Brewster said the phone begins ringing in his office at 8:30 each morning and continues throughout the day:  “It seems everybody has some ailment with the flu at the top of the list.”

Putnam County has the dubious distinction of ranking first in influenza cases compared to all other counties in New York State.

The New York State Department of Health said Putnam’s rate was 918 cases per 100,000, the typical way in which flu case numbers are counted and reported. 

The incidence rate is not only the highest in the state, but also 61 percent higher than the next highest county, Nassau County on Long Island.

During a visit to the Emergency Department at Putnam Hospital Center, a reporter who was diagnosed with the flu was informed by an ER physician that of the 17 patients being treated at the time, 16 had contracted influenza.

The CVS Pharmacy in Carmel Friday afternoon was mobbed with coughing, sneezing, sniffling customers as well.

A clerk noted:  “When we opened at 9 o’clock this morning, 35 people were already waiting in line.  It hasn’t stopped all day.”

Putnam Health Director Rian Rodriguez said “more than half of Putnam’s flu cases are in children aged five through 17.  During the holiday season with family and friends gathering, this rise will continue.  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.”