COVID-19 Update, School Reopening

Dr. Indu Gupta, MD, MPH
Onondaga County Health Commissioner

Fall is knocking at our doorsteps and kids are ready to go back to school. I am sure you and your kids are very excited. At the same time, are concerned because of the increasing number of cases in our community and throughout the United States and the world. The Delta variant has taken hold of the communities and destroying the gains of the past.

The Delta variant is a highly contagious new variant of the same virus which causes COVID-19 disease. It is more contagious than the original virus strain. That means, in 2020, when someone was positive, that person could infect 3 people. But now, a person infected with the new Delta variant can infect 6-9 people making it 2-3 times more infectious than the original SARS COV-2 virus. Additionally, it causes more severe disease and it is creating havoc among children.

The good news is the current vaccines are effective against this Delta variant. However, many of the eligible adults and eligible children of 12 years and older have yet not taken steps to receive even the first dose of the vaccine in our community…even though they are widely available in our community. As of now, about 60% of our county population has been fully vaccinated falling short of the desired goal. Fully vaccinated means two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

2020 was a very difficult year for everyone. Schools had to be cancelled and kids had to learn virtually- which affected not only their academic growth but also physical and mental health. We have come a long way since then and with many available tools in our toolbox. 0ur joint goal is to have every child come to school for in-person learning. With the rise in the cases in our community, I am concerned, and I wanted to talk to you regarding steps you can take to keep your children healthy while in school and help school administration achieve a safe and healthy environment for everyone. Here are some thoughts:

First and foremost, if you or your children are not vaccinated- please take steps to get the vaccine as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor. Vaccines are safe, very effective, do not change the body, and prepares it to fight against the virus if it comes close to us. Get the facts from CDC and our health department website.
Number two is wearing a mask. In my recent guidance for reopening of the schools in the fall, I strongly recommended to the school districts to have universal masking for everyone irrespective of vaccination status. The reason for universal masking is that many people who are eligible are not yet vaccinated, providing the opportunity for the virus to spread. If that happens, with isolation and quarantine, school learning will be significantly impacted. You can see this unfolding in many southern states where there are very low vaccination rates and no masking—new cases were diagnosed in the schools resulting in many children in isolation and quarantine, with some schools having to go to virtual learning again as soon as they opened. I can safely presume that you are looking to avoid that same scenario in Onondaga County, right? If the answer is yes, I need your help in stopping the spread of the virus in our schools so schools can remain open and kids can grow academically, physically, and emotionally in a safe, healthy, and happy environment. As we saw recently in Massachusetts, without masks many vaccinated people got infected. However, there were no serious health consequences among them including no deaths. The bottom line is that vaccines protected them, but masks would have stopped the transmission of the virus. This was the reason CDC changed its recommendations, and so did we, for universal masking while indoors.
The third step to keep schools open is to do ongoing random screening testing of staff and kids alike in the schools. Why? To give you the current state of our County—on June 27 we had 1 case and we thought it was amazing; however, our cases have increased significantly to 100 or so every day. That means Onondaga County is in the high transmission zone as calculated by the number of cases per day based on our population. That does not mean we should feel helpless. Testing is an important tool of prevention strategies where we can do testing in the schools and identify those who are asymptomatic infections. We can then isolate positive cases and quarantine those exposed. This will help reduce the chance of the spread of infection in the classroom and in different buildings of the schools. And we can keep schools open. To achieve this, I need your help because children under 18 years of age need consent from the parent. Please consider signing a universal consent for testing for the entire academic year. Your school will send you more information about these.

In closing, I can say that this SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID 19 is very smart, and is outsmarting us by changing itself to fool us, and is becoming stronger and stronger. The future is in everyone’s hands; with available tools. We are in a much better place than we were last year when testing was scattered, and there were no vaccines. Masks, physical distancing, and handwashing saved lives and continued to do so. We have more tools in our tool kit NOW than ever before, and WE SHOULD NOT abandon those tools which helped reduce the number of cases until vaccines became available. Wearing a mask in indoor public settings, physical distancing, hand washing, symptom checks, testing, and vaccination are the best preventive tools we have to reduce the spread of infection in the schools and community alike. We should learn from other states where new cases among unvaccinated and unmasked individuals have now overwhelmed the hospital systems near collapse. On a lighter note, the benefit of vaccination is that if you are vaccinated and exposed, as long as you have no symptoms you will not be quarantined!

Onondaga County Health Department’s guidance is built on CDC and NYSED, which is the regulatory agency for the schools. The school superintendents will make the final policy decisions for the reopening. I will continue to work with them throughout the process and will provide recommendations to specific situations as they arise.

We have come a long way. I am asking for your help and support again to stop the spread of this virus in our community. I am hopeful because all of you have been a great partner since the 16^th of March, 2020 when our first case was diagnosed. And I believe you will continue to do so now, I am counting on you!

You may also watch this as a video message:

Sources:

NYS: COVID -19Vaccine Tracker: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-tracker
CDC: Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 school: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html
NYSED: Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-22 School Year: https://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/back-school/nysed-health-and-safety-guide-for-the-2021-2022-school-year.pdf
OCHD: Onondaga County Health Department: Guidance for K-12 Reopening: https://www.ongov.net/health/documents/K-12Guidance2021-22.pdf
MMWR: Outbreak of SARS CoV-2 Infection, Including COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections associated with large gatherings: Barnstable County, Massachusetts: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm
Delta Variants: What we know about the science : CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html

Two Mosquito Pools Found Positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta announced today that lab results show the presence of the Jamestown Canyon virus in two mosquito pools, one from a trap located on Midler Avenue in Syracuse, and another located in Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. This is the first finding of the virus in mosquitoes in Onondaga County since 2014. There have been no known human cases in Onondaga County.

This finding is a result of the Health Department’s mosquito surveillance and control program which collects and tests mosquitoes for viruses. The program also uses larvicides (insecticides) to control mosquito breeding in standing bodies of water. While this virus is rare, the Health Department will report any future findings as part of their weekly mosquito pool testing.

Dr. Gupta explained that, “Jamestown Canyon virus is spread to people by infected mosquitoes. Many people have no symptoms and do not get sick, but some have symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, cough and sore throat. Very rarely it can develop into encephalitis. The best way to reduce your risk of infection is by avoiding mosquito bites.”

Personal Protection Measures
The Health Department reminds residents that there are steps everyone should take to protect themselves from mosquito bites during outdoor activities:

Wear shoes, light-colored socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck in your shirt and tuck pant legs into boots or socks.
Consider using insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and other products that have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Use this EPA search tool to help you choose the repellent product that is right for you, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper use for safety and effectiveness. Insect repellents should be applied only to intact skin or over clothing. Do NOT apply DEET or Picaridin directly onto children’s skin (apply to your own hands and then put it on the child). Repellent should not be used on babies younger than 2 months old.
Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home
It is also important to mosquito-proof your home by replacing or repairing broken screens and getting rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Keep your property free of standing water by cleaning clogged rain gutters; turning over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use; changing water in birdbaths every four days; properly maintaining swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; draining water from pool covers; and, using landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates.

Signs and Symptoms
According to the CDC, there were 4 cases of Jamestown Canyon virus disease reported in New York State from 2010 to 2019. Although many people infected with Jamestown Canyon virus do not have symptoms, the virus can cause severe disease.

For people with symptoms, the time from mosquito bite to feeling sick ranges from a few days to 2 weeks.
Initial symptoms can include fever, fatigue, and headache. Some people also have respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or runny nose.
Jamestown Canyon virus can cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis include stiff neck, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, or seizures.
About half of patients reported with Jamestown Canyon virus disease are hospitalized.
Deaths associated with Jamestown Canyon virus infection are rare.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have recently been bitten by a mosquito and are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

More Information and Resources
For more information about Jamestown Canyon virus and mosquito-borne illnesses, contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.1649 or visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/jamestown-canyon/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html

Clift Park Beach in Village of Skaneateles Closed for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Clift Park Beach located in the Village of Skaneateles will be closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria (E.coli) in the water. Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The Health Department will be monitoring the lake water daily until bacteria levels reach acceptable standards and will notify the public when the beach is reopened for swimming.

Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause brief diarrhea. While only some types of bacteria will cause gastrointestinal illness, the presence of E. coli bacteria is an indicator of increased general bacterial action in the water. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

For more information, please call the Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

Oneida Shores Beach Closed for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, will be closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria (E.coli) in the water. Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The Health Department will be monitoring the lake water daily until bacteria levels reach acceptable standards. The public should refer to the Onondaga County Parks website for reopening information.

Please note that this does not affect Oneida Shores’ other amenities during normal hours of operation. While Oneida Shores is closed to swimming, Onondaga County Parks encourages the public to use Jamesville Beach as an alternative. Jamesville Beach will open for swimming tomorrow, Wednesday, July 14 from 12:00-6:00 pm.

FOR FUTURE UPDATES on bacterial testing and closure status for Oneida Shores Beach, please visit: www.onondagacountyparks.com/about/water-quality-testing/ or call the Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

Emergence of Tickborne Disease in CNY

Twice as Many Cases of Anaplasmosis in 2021 than Previous 5-Year Total

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, announced the emergence of anaplasmosis, a tickborne disease that is typically rare in Central New York. In the previous 5 years, a total of 3 cases were reported in Onondaga County; so far this year, there have been 6 reported cases.

Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and is primarily spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Dr. Gupta explained, “In New York state, the disease is spread by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which is the same type of tick that typically spreads Lyme disease. If we are diligent in practicing the same prevention measures we’ve learned to prevent Lyme disease, we are protecting ourselves from other tickborne diseases including anaplasmosis.”

Symptoms and Treatment
The symptoms of anaplasmosis begin within 1–2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick, and include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If treatment is delayed, or if there are other medical conditions present, anaplasmosis can cause severe illness, and even death in rare cases. Prompt treatment can reduce your risk of developing severe illness.

See your healthcare provider if you become ill after being bitten by a tick or spending time in the woods or in areas with high brush where ticks commonly live.

Personal Protection Measures
There are steps everyone should take to protect themselves from both mosquito and tick bites during outdoor activities:

Wear shoes, light-colored socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck in your shirt and tuck pant legs into boots or socks. Check your body for ticks after being outdoors.
Consider using insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and other products that have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Use this EPA search tool to help you choose the repellent product that is right for you, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper use for safety and effectiveness. Insect repellents should be applied only to intact skin or over clothing. Do NOT apply DEET or Picaridin directly onto children’s skin (apply to your own hands and then put it on the child). Repellent should not be used on babies younger than 2 months old.
Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

Check for and Remove Ticks
After outdoor activities, it is critical to check your body for an attached tick. Early removal is important—the longer an infected tick is attached to the skin, the higher the chances are for transmitting diseases such as Lyme and anaplasmosis. Keep ticks away by mowing your lawn often and removing brush. Playground toys, decks, and patios should be kept away from wooded areas. In addition, do not feed deer on your property. If you see a tick embedded in your skin, follow the steps below (or watch this video) to learn how to remove it:

Take tweezers to the tick’s head or mouth, where it enters the skin.
Pull the tick firmly up, in a steady motion, away from the skin.
Clean the bite with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.
Keep a record of the date, time, and where you were bitten.

For more information visit the CDC website.

Oneida Shores Beach Approved to Reopen for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, is approved to be reopened for swimming. Oneida Shores Beach was closed on June 29 due to water quality issues. Water quality test results received today now show acceptable levels.

Beach operations will now resume at Oneida Shores and Jamesville Beach will once again close. As a reminder, all other amenities at Jamesville Beach Park are open to the public. Please visit the Onondaga County Parks webpage for hours of operation and any additional information pertaining to parks operations.

For future updates on testing and closure status of Oneida Shores Beach, please visit www.onondagacountyparks.com/about/water-quality-testing/ or call the Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

Oneida Shores Beach Closed for Swimming

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that Oneida Shores Beach, located in the town of Cicero, will be closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria (E.coli) in the water. Swimming will not be allowed until bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The Health Department will be monitoring the lake water daily until bacteria levels reach acceptable standards and will notify the public when the beach is reopened for swimming.

Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause brief diarrhea. While only some types of bacteria will cause gastrointestinal illness, the presence of E. coli bacteria is an indicator of increased general bacterial action in the water. Anyone concerned about gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their health care provider.

For future updates on bacterial testing and closure status for Oneida Shores Beach, please visit: www.onondagacountyparks.com/about/water-quality-testing/ or call the Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

Preventing Rabies Exposure from Wild Animals

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, reminds Onondaga County residents to take precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their pets from rabies. Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease that is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

There have already been positive cases of rabid animals reported this year in Onondaga County, both domestic as well as wild animals. Fortunately, human rabies is rare in the United States. Although there is no treatment for rabies, it is PREVENTABLE in both humans and pets.

Dr. Gupta reminds residents that “rabies is a fatal disease, so if you find wildlife on your property, do not touch it, even if it looks friendly. If you see an animal that looks sick or injured, do not try to approach it. You may contact a wildlife rehabilitator for their expert assistance.” It is very important to take the following precautions to prevent rabies in yourself and your pet:

Make sure rabies vaccinations are up-to-date for all your pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets). New York State Public Health Law requires that all puppies and kittens get their initial shot at three months of age, the first booster shot within 1 year after the initial shot, and then a booster shot every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year.
Maintain control of your pets. Keep cats and ferrets indoors and keep dogs under direct supervision.
Make sure to wear gloves before tending to your dog after a fight with a wild animal. Don’t forget to consult a veterinarian for further care.
Call your town or local municipality for assistance or guidance on how to remove stray or wild animals from your neighborhood.
Never try to approach nor pet a wild or unfamiliar animal, including stray cats.
Do not bring a wild animal, such as a fox, raccoon, woodchuck, or skunk, etc. into your home or treat them as pets.

Teach Children to Stay Safe around Animals

Supervise children while interacting with animals.
Respect a dog’s space. Never approach a dog, especially one that is tied or confined behind a fence or in a car. Be cautious around strange dogs. Don’t pet a dog—even your own—without letting it see and sniff you first.

Protect your Family from Bats
About 5 percent of bats may carry rabies, so take steps to keep bats out of your house:

Bat-proof your home. Look for holes in places like the garage, attic, and basement and plug them with steel wool. Repair window screen holes with wire mesh and caulk any openings or cracks.
Trap any bat found in your home—do not let it escape outdoors. Before trapping the bat, protect yourself with gloves and a hat. Collect the bat in a container with a secure lid. For complete instructions and a video on how to trap a bat visit: net/health/env/rabies.html.
Once the bat is caught, call the Animal Disease Control Program at 315.435.3165 to bring the bat in for testing at our location at 4170 Route 31, Clay, NY 13041.
If you cannot trap the bat, call a local trapper for assistance.

Vaccinate Your Pets
Onondaga County Health Department is holding a safe and socially-distanced drive-thru rabies clinic on Thursday, July 1 at our Field Office located at 4170 Route 31 in Clay. Appointments are required and can be reserved at https://on.ny.gov/3wWVENX. The shots are free for Onondaga County residents. A voluntary donation per family is appreciated. Additional rabies shot clinics will be offered throughout the year and will be announced on our website and Facebook page.

If You are Bitten by a Wild or Unfamiliar Animal
If you or a family member are bitten, or exposed to the saliva of a wild or unfamiliar animal, first wash any wounds with soap and water and seek medical treatment if necessary. Next, call the Animal Disease Control Program at 315.435.3165 for guidance regarding concern for rabies. More information on how to address animal bites and other frequently asked questions (FAQs) can be found at: ongov.net/health/env/documents/RabiesFAQ.pdf

For more information about rabies prevention call 315.435.3165 or visit:
ongov.net/health/env/rabies.html
health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/
cdc.gov/rabies/

Tobacco-Free CNY Kicks Summer Off with Chalk Art Contest

Reality Check, a project of the Onondaga County Health Department’s Tobacco-Free CNY program, is sponsoring a tobacco-free chalk art contest to kick off the summer with some color!

We are asking youth to use their artistic skills to express why they feel it is important for our community to be tobacco-free. Not only are there many health benefits of living a tobacco-free life, but communities can take steps in reducing youth exposure to tobacco marketing, establishing tobacco-free norms through tobacco-free outdoor policies, reducing secondhand smoke exposure through smoke-free housing policies, and reducing tobacco imagery in youth-rated movies.

The contest is open to youth ages 8 to 19. Prizes will be given, and the top prize will receive a $40 gift card and Reality Check program gear. All materials will be provided for the first 50 participants that sign up. The deadline for submitting a photo of your chalk art is July 30 at 11:59 PM. Winners will be announced on August 6, 2021.

For more information and to register for materials, visit www.tobaccofreecny.org.

Time for Back-to-School Vaccines; Onondaga County Immunization Clinic Reopens

With the return to fully in person school this September, be sure your kids are ready! Now is the time to make sure your children’s vaccinations (shots) are up-to-date. Having all school-required vaccines protects your child from harmful infections while protecting your family, their classmates, and the community. It is important to contact your child’s health care provider to make sure your child has received all the needed immunizations for this school year.

Childhood vaccines protect against many serious and life-threatening diseases that once were commonplace. These diseases are now rare in the United States thanks to vaccines; however, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as whooping cough, measles, or mumps can still happen in communities with low vaccination rates. Please remember that New York State government passed a law to no longer allow non-medical exemptions (including religious exemptions) from vaccine requirements. Medical exemptions are still allowed.

Don’t wait—schedule an appointment today!
The Onondaga County Health Department encourages you to check with your health care provider to make sure your school-age children are up-to-date on all required vaccines for school attendance. Schedule your appointment TODAY for any needed immunizations.

No insurance?
The Onondaga County Health Department Immunization Clinic is open again each Wednesday from 9 am to 3 pm beginning June 16. The clinic is located in the Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse in basement level room 30. Appointments are now required by calling (315) 435-2000 at least 24 hours in advance, and the number of appointments will be limited. All vaccines needed for school are offered, and a sliding fee scale is available.

In our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and wellbeing of our clients and staff members, Onondaga County Immunization Clinic will implement the following requirements:

Everyone over age 2 must wear a face covering upon entering the Civic Center and will be required to keep it on until they leave the Civic Center.
Arrive at your scheduled appointment time.
Only children getting a vaccine are allowed in clinic, and only one adult may accompany them.
Individuals will have their temperature taken and be pre-screened for risk factors.
Chairs in the waiting room will be placed 6 feet apart.
To limit traffic in the waiting area, there will be a separate entrance and exit.
All staff will wear masks at all times while in the clinic setting.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call (315) 435-2000 to cancel and reschedule your appointment for a later date: dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, congestion or runny nose, fever, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

For more information, visit our website or call us at (315) 435-2000.