Letitia James

A nationwide shortage of cold, flu and fever medicines for children is causing some drug store chains to limit purchases of the products amid a “tripledemic” this holiday season.

The “tripledemic” of COVID-19, RSV, and the flu is causing a run on children’s pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

To combat part of the problem, the U.S. government released reserves of Tamiflu. CVS, Target and Walgreens are limiting purchases of over-the-counter children’s medication to prevent stockpiling.
CVS has a two-product limit in-store and online. Target placed a two-product limit for online purchases. And Walgreens is allowing customers to purchase six products per online transaction.

New York Attorney General Letitia James cautioned consumers and businesses of price gouging of children’s painkillers and fever reducers as demand increases for those medications.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is aware of reports of children’s medication being sold online and in stores at prices two or three times their retail value. James urges New Yorkers to be on alert for potential price gouging of medications including Tylenol, Motrin, and acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin sold under other brand names, and to report any dramatic price increases to her office.

New York law prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to their health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price.

When reporting price gouging to OAG, consumers should:
– Report the specific increased prices, the dates, and places that they saw the increased prices, and the types of medication being sold; and,
– Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.

New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 1-800-771-7755.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said wearing a mask is one of several everyday precautions that people can take to reduce their chances of catching or spreading a respiratory virus during the busy holiday season.

The CDC director said the agency is considering expanding its system of COVID community levels to take into account other respiratory viruses such as the flu. The system is the basis for when CDC advises the public to wear masks.

Walensky encouraged people to take proactive action, saying, “One need not wait on CDC action in order to put a mask on. We would encourage all of those preventive measures — hand washing, staying home when you’re sick, masking, increased ventilation — during respiratory virus season, but especially in areas of high COVID-19 community levels.”

The CDC continues to recommend masking for anyone travelling by plane, train, bus or other forms of public transportation.

People with weak immune systems and those who otherwise face a heightened risk of severe disease should also consider wearing a mask.

Walensky strongly encouraged everyone eligible to receive their flu shot and COVID booster. She said flu vaccination coverage is lagging for at-risk groups — children under age 5, pregnant women, and at-risk seniors — compared with last year. There is no vaccine for RSV.

In New York State, 27,000 cases of the flu were reported during Thanksgiving week. This is compared with a then-record-breaking 2019-20 season had a peak of about 17,000 cases in its worst week.

The 27,000 cases in the week ending November 26 had already spiked 76% from the week prior. During that same period, the number of patients hospitalized statewide with lab-confirmed flu was 1,499, a 67% increase over the prior week.

Dr. Lillian Ney (photo courtesy of Jamestown Community College)

The Chautauqua County Board of Health President is expressing concern for the County Health Department with the departure of Christine Schuyler.

Schuyler’s last day as Director of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services was Tuesday, November 29 following Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel‘s decision not to renew her contract.

Health Board President Dr. Lillian Ney said she learned from local school district representatives who attended the Board of Health’s meeting Monday, November 28 that Schuyler was an incredible asset to districts in the county during the COVID-19 Pandemic, “The State Health Department was changing rules right and left, and guidelines right and left. It was very confusing. It was a dilemma. It was a tremendous dilemma. And she (Christine) had a calming and common sense of approach to it that the schools really, really appreciated. And as the time grew nearer for her leaving, they were reaching out and saying, ‘Oh my goodness. What are we to do now?'”

Ney said one of her concerns is that there are three major illnesses going on in the public health arena currently with the surge in Influenza A cases, an increase in RSV, as well as COVID still being an issue in the county, “And now we have a deficiency I say, I don’t know if that’s the right word. But we’ve lost two outstanding performers in the Health Department. One is Christine, because Christine is now gone. And Bree Agett, who was our epidemiologist, who is really outstanding as well, she’s now gone. And I just heard yesterday, much to my despair I guess I would say, that we’re losing another of our outstanding nurses.”

Ney added that it is difficult to recruit people to work for the Health Department and that she prays there isn’t another major public health problem, “You know, to recruit to the Health Department at that level in terms of Christine’s ability and Bree Agett’s ability in epidemiology, how are we going to find folks like that in the county? Thankfully, Dr. Michael Faulk, who is a great guy, is going to be chairing the department. I think it’s on an interim basis for now perhaps, but more than likely maybe more going forward.”

Wendel has said further details about the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services with the Department of Mental Hygiene are expected in early 2023.

Governor Kathy Hochul discusses upper respiratory viruses on the rise

The New York State Department of Health is warning that COVID-19, Seasonal Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus cases are rising in the state.

Health officials say as respiratory virus infections spread this fall and are expected to continue through the winter, they’re urging people to take steps to help stop the spread.

Earlier this fall, the State Department of Health (DOH) issued a Health Advisory Notice regarding respiratory illnesses to hospitals, local health departments, and other medical facilities. While not specific to any one virus, the notice highlighted increased hospitalizations from these types of illnesses and provides federal resources.

Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Our best shot at protecting ourselves and fellow New Yorkers from respiratory illnesses continues to be getting vaccinated, staying up to date on boosters, and practicing good hygiene.”

The flu vaccine is available to anyone 6 months or older, and is strongly recommended for people with chronic diseases, young children, and individuals who are pregnant – all of whom have a higher risk of developing serious complications from influenza.

Health officials say the best defense against respiratory viruses is to receive the seasonal flu and COVID vaccines, stay up to date on COVID-19 boosters, practice social distancing, wear masks in crowded settings, and use proper hygiene, including frequent hand washing.

The Department of Health is monitoring regional hospital capacity and engaging hospital and health care systems that may be seeing larger than normal patient volumes in their emergency departments and inpatient units. If you are sick and exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory virus, consult your primary care provider.

That was the update provided Monday by the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services in the wake of news that the Novel Coronavirus is continuing to spread around the globe and more cases are being diagnosed in New York State.

“We have no cases of the novel coronavirus in our county. We do have one person who is under precautionary quarantine. That means they are very low risk. They have no symptoms, they just had traveled to one of the CDC’s designated Level 3 countries. That is the guidance we are following, from the CDC and State Health Department and then we go from there as far as implementing our plan,” Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler explained during Monday Night’s Jamestown City Council work session.

Schuyler also said that new updates regarding the tracking and monitoring of the virus in Chautauqua county will also be posted on the county’s Facebook page.

“We’ve put up on your Facebook page numbers so people will know how many persons are under investigation, if we have any confirmed cases, and there will be tips there every day with links on where to go to find more information. It will also be on our website, the county executive’s Facebook page, and Emergency Services as well.

As of Tuesday morning there’s been 142 confirmed cases in New York State, although health officials in New York state and across the country agree that there is likely to be a significant increase in the number of cases once more testing is conducted.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

Meanwhile, Schuyler also reminded the public that the flu is still widespread in our community with 681 cases reported over the season.

She advises residents to go about their daily lives, stay calm, and take routine precautions to prevent respiratory diseases, including:

• Washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Avoid close contact with sick people;
• Stay home when they are sick;
• Cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash;
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.

Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday also announced the state will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer to New Yorkers free of charge.
To help combat price-gouging and ensure New Yorkers have access to this vital prevention method, the state will produce up to 100,000 gallons of hand sanitizer each week in 1.7 oz., 7 oz. and gallon bottles.

The hand sanitizer will be made available to residents free of charge, and distribution will be prioritized by the most impacted and high risk communities, and state agencies, including the MTA.

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo reminded all New Yorkers on Thursday to get a flu shot as new numbers released today show sharp inclines in laboratory confirmed cases of influenza.

The Governor also directed the Department of Health to work with state agencies and authorities on ways to encourage flu vaccinations among state workers and their families.

The flu season usually begins in October and runs through May and this year the Governor received his flu shot in October.

State health officials report 15,753 confirmed influenza cases; 2,349 New Yorkers hospitalized

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker to authorize emergency assistance funding to counties as flu diagnoses continued to increase in communities across the state. 

According to the governor’s office, the action provides enhanced reimbursement to counties and will help fund expanded efforts to promote and increase access to flu vaccines statewide. Governor Cuomo is calling on all 58 local health departments to expand efforts to more readily accommodate New Yorkers still needing a flu shot.

“As flu diagnoses and hospitalizations continue to increase to epidemic proportions, this administration is doing everything in its power to protect New Yorkers from this especially durable strain of influenza,” Governor Cuomo said. “I ask all New Yorkers to take advantage of this expanded access to flu vaccines and join us in slowing down and stopping the spread of this virus in the Empire State.”

With 15,753 laboratory confirmed influenza cases reported to the New York State Department of Health, and 2,349 New Yorkers hospitalized with confirmed influenza, these numbers are again the highest weekly numbers in both categories since reporting began in 2004 and exceed last week’s record high 11,683 confirmed cases and 2,221 hospitalizations.

The Department of Health’s website links to each local health department providing the public a one-stop-shop approach to individual counties’ expanded efforts.  Additionally, the HealthMap Vaccine Finder also identifies locations where vaccines can be found at other locations in New York State at www.vaccinefinder.org.

Governor Cuomo has also directed local health departments to re-focus enhanced outreach to vulnerable populations, including daycares, nursing homes, senior centers, and homeless shelters, to reemphasize the need for flu vaccinations, provide targeted education regarding the signs and symptoms of flu, and to identify and assist those populations with low vaccine rates. Furthermore, local health departments will coordinate with local school superintendents to identify schools experiencing an increase in absenteeism rates due to illness among students and staff and link them to ongoing education and vaccination efforts. These partnerships will further ensure effective education and guidance is provided to protect children.

Chautauqua County Director of Health Christine Schuyler says that local surveillance data shows the number of positive tests for influenza has doubled during the final week of December.

Statewide in the week ending December 27, there have been 3,922 confirmed influenza reports representing a 90% increase from the previous week.  Hospitalizations related to influenza have increased by 139% and there has been one influenza related pediatric death reported this season.

Health officials are reminding the public that frequent hand-washing is crucial so that illness is not spread from one person to another. When sneezing or coughing, be sure to turn away from others and use a tissue to cover your mouth or nose and sneeze into the crook or your arm, rather than into your hands.

And they remind residents to get a flu shot. Influenza can lead to severe respiratory illness requiring hospitalization and in some cases can be fatal. The flu season can last as late as May due to variations in the timing and duration of the season.  Health officials say that as long as flu season is not over, it is never too late to be vaccinated.

According to the Governor’s office, nearly 20,000 cases of influenza have been reported this season across the state. That’s more than four times as many as the total of 4,400 reported all of last season (2011-2012). The State Department of Health (DOH) has also received reports of nearly 2,900 patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. That’s up more than 1700 from last year flu season.

Two children in New York State and eighteen children across the United States and have died as a result of this year’s flu season.

The Governor strongly urges New Yorkers who have yet to receive a flu shot to schedule one immediately, as influenza cases continue to rise sharply across the State.  Flu vaccine can be obtained at health care providers’ offices, local health departments, and pharmacies across the state.

The County Department of Health reminds everyone of important measures to reduce their chances of getting and spreading the flu, they include:

• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home when you are sick

Schuyler also reminds residents that flu vaccinations are available at your primary care doctor’s office, many local pharmacies or the Chautauqua County Health Department by calling 1-866-604-6789. So far this season, 91 percent of the influenza viruses that have been analyzed at CDC are like the viruses included in the 2012-2013 influenza vaccine.