Press Releases

May 11, 2023
Protect Yourself and Your Family from Tick Bites This Spring

As we welcome the warmer weather and spend more time outside, Rockland County Executive Ed Day reminds residents to protect themselves from tick bites. A bite from an infected tick can cause Lyme Disease and other diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Powassan. These diseases are treatable with antibiotics but may be hard to diagnose. The most effective ways to protect yourself are through awareness and prevention. [Read More]

May 5, 2023
Health Department Announces Annual Mosquito Control Treatment of Catch Basins and Storm Drains

Rockland County Executive Ed Day informs residents that the Health Department will be treating catch basins and storm drains to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in standing water inside of these structures. [Read More]

May 4, 2023
May is National Bike Month

It’s National Bike Month! Did you know that in Rockland County, all cyclists, must wear a bike helmet, regardless of age? Wearing a helmet that fits right every time you ride is the single most effective way to prevent a head injury from a bicycle crash. [Read More]

April 17, 2023
April is Distracted Driver Month

The Rockland County Department of Health, along with highway and local law enforcement officials, the Rockland County STOP-DWI Program, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), remind residents that April is Distracted Driving Month. [Read More]

April 13, 2023
Health Department Offers Free Mosquito Control Products to Keep Pools & Outdoor Spas Mosquito Free

The Rockland County Department of Health announces the availability of free Mosquito Control Products for the 2023 season to help County residents reduce the number of mosquitoes on their property. [Read More]

April 10, 2023
Health Department Offers Free Rabies Shots for Cats, Dogs, and Ferrets on Sunday, April 30, 2023

The Rockland County Department of Health announces free rabies shots (vaccinations) are available for cats, dogs, and ferrets belonging to Rockland residents by appointment only on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen’s Memorial Drive in Pomona. An appointment is required for each animal, and please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. The shots are free; however, a $5 donation per animal will help defray our costs. [Read More]

March 31, 2023
National Public Health Week, April 3-9, 2023

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the start of National Public Health Week from Monday, April 3 to Sunday, April 9. This annual celebration week is sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA). This year’s theme, “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health: Feeling like we belong, being a part of our communities, and fostering cultural connections,” raises awareness about how we can make our communities healthier, safer, and stronger when we support and stay engaged with one another. [Read More]

March 29, 2023
Rockland Ranked #4 Healthiest County in Nys

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert proudly announce that Rockland County is ranked fourth in New York State for overall health in 2023 in the annual County Health Rankings Report released today. Rockland County has improved from 7th in health outcomes after the recent challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read More]

March 29, 2023
Increasing Spread of C. Auris in Healthcare Facilities

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert want to inform residents about Candida auris (C. auris), an infectious disease of concern because it is resistant to antibiotics/antifungal medications. This type of fungus can persist on surfaces in healthcare environments and spread between patients in long-term care facilities and hospitals. [Read More]

March 17, 2023
Health Department Offers Polio Booster Clinics

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert urge residents planning travel this spring to areas of the world where polio is found to get a polio booster shot. [Read More]

March 16, 2023
Arrive Alive: Don’t Drive if You Are Drinking or Using Drugs While Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the nation’s favorite holidays to celebrate and attend parties. Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, along with highway and local law enforcement officials, the Rockland County STOP-DWI Program, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), remind us that St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on our nation’s roads because unfortunately, too many people choose to drink alcohol and drive. [Read More]

March 9, 2023
Use Daylight Saving Time to Check Your Emergency Supply Kit, & Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert remind residents to change their clocks when Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12th. Along with changing your clocks, this is also a good time to check your emergency supply kit. Is it missing any items? Is anything out-of-date, leaking, or damaged? [Read More]

March 1, 2023
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert inform residents that the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for people at average risk of colorectal cancer. [Read More]

February 27, 2023
Rockland County Covid-19 Call Center Closing

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the closure of the COVID-19 call center after 3 years in operation. [Read More]

February 22, 2023
Health Department Expands Immunization Clinics

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce additional immunization (shots) clinic hours in Pomona and a new immunization clinic in Spring Valley. Vaccines (shots) save lives and are a much safer way to build immunity than getting sick from the disease. Immunization can prevent disease or weaken its symptoms depending on the disease. The Commissioner reminds residents to check their family’s vaccination records for any gaps in recommended immunization. [Read More]

February 16, 2023
Walk Wise to Exercise Your Heart

During Heart Health Month in February, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert encourage residents to keep their hearts healthy by walking, the most popular and simplest form of exercise you can do. [Read More]

February 10, 2023
Rockland County Launches Safe Streets Website

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the launching of the new Rockland County Safe Streets website. Visit the new website at https://rocklandsafestreets.org/ for pedestrian and bicyclist safety information and other resources. The website was created with funding from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) to inform and engage residents in Rockland County about pedestrian and bicyclist safety issues, New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law, and to promote behavior change to reduce injuries and fatalities. [Read More]

January 17, 2023
Worksites in Rockland County Recognized for Being Lactation Friendly

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert are proud to announce that Dominican University New York, Finkelstein Memorial Library, and the Rockland Farm Alliance, have become the latest businesses/organizations in Rockland to be recognized as Lactation Friendly Worksites. [Read More]

January 6, 2023
Health Department Offers Be Healthy in ’23 Series at Local Libraries

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the Be Healthy in ‘23 public health information and education series starting January! The Finkelstein Memorial Library will host the Rockland County Department of Health on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Health department employees will be in the library’s lobby, offering information, resources, and takeaways on various health topics to help Rockland residents live healthier lives. [Read More]