Tag: hd

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar today declared a local state of emergency for Broome County. This decision was not made to instill fear or panic. Rather, it will authorize emergency spending and free up additional resources to limit the spread of the disease in our community. 

Starting Monday, March 16, all K-12 schools will be closed at least through Monday, April 13. This includes all extracurricular activities. 

The decision to close schools is a proactive measure to prevent the spread of the virus to students, their families, and the community. This does not indicate a quarantine of Broome County. Businesses remain open and social distancing guidance should be followed. 

School districts are identifying food plans, social supports, and instruction plans for students through the closing, including Easter break. More details will be released Sunday, March 15. 

Daycares in Broome County are not currently closed, as they are under the regulatory control of New York State. 

Another press conference with school officials will be scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, March 15 to provide additional information for families in our community. 

For more information on COVID-19, see broomecountyny.gov/hd/coronavirus

While Broome County has no confirmed case of COVID-19 in our community, we are aware of concerns in the community about the spread of this relatively new virus. We are closely monitoring this fluid situation and following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

Rebecca Kaufman, Broome County Health Department Director states, “We are continually receiving updates from New York State Department of Health as new information is released. Staff are well prepared and are experienced in communicable disease surveillance.”

There are a number of steps community members can take to minimize the spread of ALL respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Heavily soiled hands should be washed.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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If you or a family member begin showing symptoms of a respiratory disease and suspect it may be COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider. Before going to your healthcare provider’s office, call the office and inform them that a case of COVID-19 is suspected, and follow their advice. 

We encourage you to follow the CDC’s information for travel, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

For more information, Broome County has created a specific webpage about COVID-19 which can be found at: broomecountyny.gov/hd/coronavirus. You can also call the Broome County Health Department at 607-778-8885.

New York State has also established a Novel Coronavirus Hotline, which can provide additional information. Call 1-888-364-3065 with questions or concerns about travel and symptoms.

Please know that, as always, the health and safety of our community is our highest priority, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to help prevent the spread of this illness.

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County is participating in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday October 26^th, 2019. The national event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription and over the counter drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. 

Broome County will be collecting your unwanted prescription medications at the Broome County Health Department, at 225 Front Street in Binghamton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 26^th. Broome County Security is helping manage this event alongside the Broome County Health Department and the Broome Opioid Awareness Council (BOAC).

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office will also be collecting medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 26 at the following locations:

• Broome County Sheriff’s Office – 155 Lt. VanWinkle Dr., Binghamton
• Johnson City Elks Lodge – 4212 Watson Blvd., Johnson City
• Tioughnioga Riverside Academy – 2887 US 11, Whitney Point
• Vestal Fire Station – 3341 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal
• Windsor Community House – 107 Main St., Windsor
• West Corners Fire Station – 500 Day Hollow Rd., Endicott
• Deposit Police Station – 146 Front St., Deposit

Unwanted medications should NOT be flushed down the toilet. If you can’t attend the event year-round residents can drop-off unwanted medications for proper handling to:

Broome County Sheriff’s Office (Administration lobby)
155 Lt. VanWinkle Drive, Binghamton, NY
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Endicott Police Station (Lobby)
1101 Park Street, Endicott, NY
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Broome County Public Library (front near circulation desk)
185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY
Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday & Saturday

Broome County Office Building (Lobby)
60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

January is Radon Action Month

Broome County Health Department Offering Free Radon Kits

(BINGHAMTON, NY) –Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and causes thousands of cancer deaths each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Increasing public awareness is the focus of Radon Action Month in January. This month is the time to test, fix and save a life.

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps into your home typically through the basement. Radon gas is heavy and will pool in the lower level of homes but can be found anywhere in a building. Radioactive particles enter the lungs and potentially can cause cancer.

It is important to test your home for radon, especially if you live in a high-risk area and/or spend large amounts of time in basement areas. Broome County is among many other counties in New York that are deemed high risk for radon by the New York State Department of Health.

Testing is as simple as leaving the kit in a specific area for a set number of days and returning it to a testing facility. Results are generally available within one to two weeks.

Once detected, homes with high levels of radon can easily be made safe. The Broome County Health Department can discuss radon test results and offer suggestions on possible mitigation measures.

As a part of National Radon Action Month, the Broome County Health Department is offering free radon testing kits. Radon kits can be picked up at the Health Department at 225 Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905. Kits will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about radon, visit the Broome County Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health website at broomecountyny.gov/eh/radon or the New York State Department of Health website at www.health.ny.gov

National Infant Immunization Week

April 27- May 4, 2019

(BINGHAMTON, NY) – National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities.  This year NIIW will be held April 27- May 4, 2019. 2019 marks the 25^th anniversary of NIIW. 

Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Among children born during 1994-2016, vaccination will prevent an estimated 381 million illnesses, 24.5 million hospitalizations, and 855,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.

Most parents choose the safe, proven protection of vaccines. Years of testing are required before a vaccine can be approved and used. Giving babies the recommended immunizations by age two is the best way to protect them from 14 serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough and measles.

There can be mild side effects from vaccines; most commonly soreness or redness at the site of the shot along with slight fever and/ or fussiness for 1-2 days after vaccination. Serious complications are rare, and the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the risk of major problems.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to talk to their child’s healthcare provider to ensure that their baby is up-to-date on immunizations. Vaccine costs may be covered by your health insurance. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. The VFC program helps children get their vaccines according to the recommended immunization schedule. It has helped increase childhood immunization coverage levels, making a significant contribution to the elimination of disparities in vaccination coverage among young children. Call the Broome County Health Department at 607-778-2839 with questions about the VFC program or your child’s immunizations.