NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert notifies residents that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated Rockland as a County with “high” COVID-19 community transmission levels where masks are currently recommended to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections circulating in the community.

As of Friday, December 16, the following are the CDC’s COVID-19 High Community Level Recommendations which we are sharing for the public’s awareness:

• Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Get tested if you have symptoms. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.

People may choose to mask at any time and should make that decision based on their personal health needs and CDC 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.

In the New Year, there will be several COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics held at the Robert Yeager Health Center, Building A, located at 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona,on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, January 12, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.
• Friday, January 20, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
• Thursday, January 26, from 9:00 am-11:00 am

To make an appointment for the flu vaccine, visit http://rcklnd.us/flu.

To make an appointment for the COVID-19 booster, visit http://rcklnd.us/covid19. If you need the primary COVID-19 vaccine series, you can walk into any clinic.

The vaccines are free of charge. For those with Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance, please bring your health insurance card. In order to receive the flu or COVID-19 vaccine, everyone must wear a mask.  Walk-ins are welcome and will be registered on-site; however, there may be a wait.

“We have links to the CDC Community Levels tool on our website so families can stay informed and urge residents to make that choice for themselves based on their personal health needs and CDC guidelines,” said County Executive Ed Day. 

“COVID-19 and the flu are serious diseases that can lead to hospitalization and death.  Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and COVID-19 and spread it to those more vulnerable to complications so preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is crucial to protect yourself, your family, and your community. I encourage everyone 6 months of age and older to be up-to-date on their COVID-19 and flu shots as soon as possible so everyone can have a safe and healthy holiday season,” said Dr. Ruppert.