PUTNAM COUNTY- Despite the fact that flu continues to be debilitating scores of Putnam residents with fever, cough, upset stomach and a general feeling of malaise, the Putnam Health Department reports the worst is over.

Health Department Epidemiologist Alison Kaufman explained Friday: “In Putnam, we are still seeing considerably more flu than COVID or RSV, but flu cases are decreasing with three straight weeks of decline while COVID cases increased for the third week in a row, and RSV cases increased for the 9th week in a row. Community members should still consider the viral respiratory disease season to be in full-swing, and continue to practice tried and true prevention methods: Stay home when sick, cover your cough, wash your hands— and it is still not too late to get vaccinated.”

Numbers released by the NYS Department of Health indicate some 175 flu cases reported during the past week, a decline from the 325 cases the week before and the nearly 1,000 cases reported during the last week of December.

The Carmel, Brewster, Garrison, Lake Peekskill areas continue to be a hotbed for influenza followed by Mahopac, Patterson and Putnam Valley with Cold Spring reporting the least number of flu cases.

COVID cases have increased from 25 to 50 while cases of RSV are up from 50 to 75.