Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht Updates Town On COVID, Hospitalization Numbers, and Warnings
Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht updated the community with the latest information regarding COVID-19, State guidelines, Hospitalization numbers, and general warnings.
The message posted by Specht serves as an update concerning COVID-19 within Rockland County and access to the Town of Ramapo government buildings in light of the recent mandate by Governor Hochul.
“As many are aware Governor Hochul has issued a mask mandate but has not offered an executive order on the matter,” Specht wrote. “Earlier this week the five Town Supervisors in response met via conference call with the heads of our two local hospitals, Dr. Mary Leahy, CEO of Good Samaritan, and Dr. Mark. Geller, CEO of Montefiore Nyack.”
As per Supervisor Specht, Dr. Leahy and Dr. Geller advised us of the following:
• COVID-19 hospitalizations are up at both hospitals but not at a point that is problematic or approaching the crisis levels of the early pandemic. However, it will be a cause for concern if it continues to rise.
• Of those hospitalized locally for COVID-19, just over 75% at Good Sam and over 90% at Nyack were unvaccinated adults.
• Of those hospitalized for COVID-19 in County hospitals who were previously vaccinated the overwhelming number are the elderly or people who have other serious health conditions.
• The hospitals have had the first person of the season hospitalized with the flu. There is concern that this may be a particularly bad flu season so it is recommended that you get a flu shot.
• There is concern despite all of the treatment options for COVID, that hospitalizations over the winter will rise and that this will stress an already overburdened healthcare system. We are not there yet—but everyone is tired and wants to be done with COVID—but COVID does not seem to be done with us yet.
• Finally, hospitalizations are up across the Tri-State for non-COVID and non-flu issues. We were told this is a phenomena for the region for all hospitals and is not totally explainable but that it may be COVID related as people have not addressed other health issues thus leading to hospitalizations. There is also a rise in hospitalization for non-flu, non-COVID but with cold-like symptoms as well which is also not totally explainable.
The hospital CEO’s were asked what advice we could offer to our residents. The recommendations for the Town Supervisors to offer our residents were simple and as follows.
• First, urge your residents to get vaccinated, and when the time has elapsed (six months after vaccination) get a booster shot. While there are a number of vaccinated people who are getting COVID—the overwhelming number of those hospitalized are unvaccinated, the very elderly, and those with underlying health issues. As per the doctors when you are vaccinated if you do get COVID the symptoms are typically much less severe and mimic a simple cold.
• The next message was to wear a mask and social distance when appropriate. If you are not vaccinated they offered you really should get vaccinated but absolutely they stressed if you are not vaccinated you really should wear a mask.
• Finally, they urged us to stress that people need to exercise proper hygiene and wash your hands and use sanitizer frequently to slow the spread of germs. This they said will help combat the flu, COVID, and the common cold.
In a related call last week, County Executive Ed Day offered to the Town Supervisors that 85% of all people age 18 and older in Rockland are vaccinated. Better still over 90% of the senior population are vaccinated which is the population that is most at risk as we saw from the doctor’s observations to be hospitalized for COVID.
“So I urge residents who are not yet vaccinated to please consider getting vaccinated,” he said. “Currently, Good Samaritan is designated as the NYS location for our area for Pfizer vaccines and is distributing if daily. Also, many pharmacies and health care providers offer vaccines and the booster shot so please get vaccinated and get a booster when able. Please check the Department of Health website to get an appointment.”
As it relates to Town Government due to the Governor’s mandate, Specht said that they “are taking several steps that are practical to protect the public and comply with the Governor’s directive.”
“We are continuing our existing policy that all visitors to Town Hall or other Town facilities must wear masks, regardless of vaccine status. When you do enter masks and sanitizer will be available immediately inside. Town employees as well will continue to wear masks whenever they are in public hallways or other public-facing situations. We will not be checking visitors’ vaccination status but will have an employee in the public areas to ensure mask compliance.
We are taking these steps to comply with the Governor’s directives and to ensure public safety after discussions with our local hospital CEO’s in order to ensure our government-run facilities are operating safely for our residents and employees.”
