SUNY school reinstates indoor mask mandate on campus amid tripledemic concerns
WESTCHESTER, New York (WABC) -- One SUNY school is reinstating its mask mandate in buildings on campus amid the ongoing threat of the tripledemic.
SUNY Purchase in Westchester County announced that masks will be required indoors and in places such as libraries.
It comes as the state's health department reports Westchester say a 79% increase in flu cases last week compared to the previous week.
Purchase students say they have noticed an uptick in cases.
Administrators say that since Thanksgiving, 107 students and seven staffers have tested positive for COVID, and 27 are currently in isolation.
Last week the NYC health commissioner recommended that people wear masks indoors and in crowded places outside.
The advisory also strongly recommends taking other precautions such as vaccination, testing, good hand hygiene and staying home when sick.
It comes as COVID-19 and the flu are increasing both nationally and in New York City.
Hospitalizations for the flu have reached the highest levels for this time of the year in more than a decade.
The state health department is urging residents to get their flu shots, as influenza has now been widespread across the state for nine weeks.
An annual flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Experts say it is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time.
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