From left, Dr. Sallie Permar, a specialist in Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York; Gov. Kathy Hochul, and state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett. Submitted photo

State officials are not calling for a return to indoor masking statewide, though they are asking state residents to consider flu and COVID-19 vaccines to help ease a shortage of hospital beds statewide.

During a news conference Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul the spike in flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases wasn’t unexpected. As The Post-Journal and OBSERVER reported several weeks ago, the increase in flu cases began much earlier this year than in prior years and has been a bigger issue than COVID-19.

“We need to make sure that more people have flu shots, and I’ll let our doctors talk about that as well,” Hochul said. “Finally, RSV, you usually see a rise when this is not a new phenomenon. Didn’t hear about it as much in the past, but it started earlier just like the flu. And it is the combination where people can be exposed and contract this combination. And it is a lot for the human body or a child to have to deal with. And these cases are not reported to us individually like it is for COVID. So, we don’t have a handle on this. We track how many cases go to the emergency. We’ll know that number, but for those that, you know, parents take care of their child at home and they don’t have to be hospitalized, we don’t know those numbers. So, the reason we’re watching this is again, the categories of vulnerable people, elderly, those who are immunocompromised and certainly our children. So, been a lot of coverage on this. I know anxiety levels are high, and that’s why we’re going to bring in the expert.”

Flu cases in Chautauqua County, while still high, are relatively steady. After seeing 260 flu cases the week ending Nov. 12, the county had 234 flu cases the week ending Nov. 26, the last week the state-gathered data is available. In the seven days ending Nov. 21, the county had only seen 48 confirmed new COVID-19 cases. The week ending Nov. 26 saw 23 COVID-19 cases confirmed in the county.

UPMC Chautauqua still has a lack of available hospital beds, averaging between one and two available beds a day over the past week. For most of November the hospital had roughly four beds a day available, but before the increase in flu cases the hospital had several beds available each day. Brooks-TLC has had between six and 10 beds available since mid November and had nine available as of Tuesday. Westfield Memorial Hospital’s four beds have been filled since Nov. 30.

“And so, you talk about the combined impact of these, you know, the triple threat of COVID, RSV and the flu,” Hochul said. “And also, well, one of the reasons why our Department of Health is saying to parents, you know, before you go into an emergency room, and maybe exacerbate a situation that’s already under stress with a child who does not need that care, touch base with your primary provider. And I’ll let the doctors talk about this, but you know, even if you can get on a Zoom call and get someone to take a look at your child, do they really need to be in the emergency room? And if the answer is yes, get there. And we’re doing everything we can to make sure that they will have the attention they deserve. But let your doctor decide if that’s the best course to take.”

While encouraging basic hygiene like washing one’s hands, coughing into a sleeve rather than into the open air, staying home when sick and social distancing were mentioned by Dr. Mary Bassett, state health commissioner, and Dr. Sallie Permar, who specializes in Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, as was the importance of getting a flu or COVID vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control has recommended people wear masks indoors in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Bronx County, Kings County (Brooklyn) and Queens County as COVID cases have increased there. Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties are still shown as low risk on CDC maps, while Erie County is in a yellow designation in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious.

Bassett did say, in her prepared remarks, that it is her opinion that people should consider wearing masks in crowded, indoor settings, especially when gatherings include those at higher risk of contracting COVID.

“”We’ve gone through a period where people are tired of being told what to do. But we in public health are now emphasizing that people can take decisions on their own, and take decisions that are protected,” Bassett said. “Get vaccinated, consider wearing a mask in public indoor spaces. You know, there’s a limit to how much we can legislate people’s behavior.”