Coronavirus Positivity Rate Worries Putnam Health Officials

BREWSTER, NY — Coronavirus case numbers in Putnam County remain high, raising concern among local health officials.

Increasing case numbers in March, after an all-time high in January, are especially worrisome given the backdrop of more transmissible virus variants spreading across the country. Putnam's positivity rate is above the state average of 3.37 percent.

“Rising case numbers cause concern for setbacks in reopening,” said Alison Kaufman, DVM, MPH, the new epidemiologist, recently welcomed at the Putnam County Department of Health.

Officials are hoping the race to vaccinate can outpace the rise in case numbers.

As of April 9, more than 25 percent of residents had a completed vaccine series. SEE: 40% Of Putnam Residents Have Had A Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine

The Putnam Health Department holds clinics they call "PODs" at Lakeview Plaza in Brewster and at the Philipstown Recreation Center in Garrison. Announcements and registration links are posted on the county website just a day or two before the date. Frequent checking is advised.

"Contingent on the availability and the delivery of vaccines, our hope and intentions are to hold PODs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and offer one on each side of the county every week,” said Kathy Percacciolo, supervising public health nurse.

Putnam health officials remind teens and their parents that the health department generally receives shipments of the Moderna vaccine, which is currently FDA-approved for individuals 18 and over. Residents age 16 to 17 are eligible but must seek the Pfizer vaccine, currently being administered at many state-run clinics.

"While there is much reason for optimism due to the greater availability of testing, improvements in treatment, and a rapidly accelerating vaccination campaign, it remains important for people to continue efforts to reduce transmission by wearing masks in public, social distancing and frequent handwashing as we work toward the goal of herd immunity," Dr. Kaufman said.