Important Updates/News:

Bivalent COVID boosters are here. These boosters cover the original virus AND the now predominant Omicron variant. Everyone 5 years of age and older is recommended to get an updated COVID-19 bivalent booster dose that targets the Omicron variant, if it has been at least two months after your most recent booster or primary series. More information on bivalent vaccines can be found here, and you can schedule your vaccine here.

Because of high levels of immunity and availability of effective COVID-19 prevention and management tools, QUARANTINE of exposed persons is no longer recommended, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS. Persons who have had recent confirmed or suspected exposure to an infected person should wear a mask for 10 days around others when indoors in public and should receive testing ≥5 days after exposure (or sooner, if they are symptomatic), irrespective of their vaccination status.

ISOLATION of cases remains unchanged, full details can be found here.

RCDOH is no longer routinely contacting all COVID cases and their contacts. Those who require isolation orders or release notices should use the self-service options above. 

Test to Treat allows people to get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. Find a Test to Treat center with this locator.

CDC’s  COVID-19 Community Level tool, classifies every county in the US into low, medium, or high, with recommended prevention measures for each level. CDC, NYS and RCDOH recommend individuals at high risk continue to mask or discuss appropriate precautions with their providers.

Know Your COVID-19 Community Level

COVID-19 Community Level is a new tool from the CDC to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Go the CDC's COVID-19 Community Level tool to see levels in our area.

 

Rockland County COVID CASES, FATALITIES & VACCINATIONS

Commissioner's Note

A note from Dr. Ruppert, the Rockland County Commissioner of Health

The COVID-19 bivalent boosters, authorized by the Food and Drug Administration in August 2022, can be lifesaving and protective against variants not included in the primary vaccine series. These COVID-19 bivalent boosters are tailored to protect against Omicron BA.4/ BA.5 subvariants and the original version of the virus, strengthening previous vaccination protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using COVID-19 bivalent boosters for anyone aged 6 months and older. Individuals 6 months and older can receive the bivalent COVID-19 shot at least two months after their most recent vaccine or booster dose.

I encourage all eligible adults, adolescents, and children 6 months and older to stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination. The health department offers vaccination clinics alongside many pharmacies, healthcare practices, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. To find nearby COVID-19 vaccination locations, visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

As we continue to deal with the impacts of this pandemic on all our lives, along with other respiratory illnesses such as influenza and RSV, we need to ensure we're using every public health prevention measure available. People may choose to mask at any time and should make that decision based on their personal health needs and CDC COVID-19 Community Levels guidelines. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. In addition, follow these good health habits: avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Staying up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses, COVID-19 testing, and early treatment for eligible individuals, remains as an effective tool to protect ourselves, our families, friends, and community members from hospitalization, death, and long COVID. So, if you haven't already gotten your COVID-19 vaccination series or booster, get vaccinated now!

December 21, 2022