CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, a Baldwin native, visited Nassau University Medical Center on Monday.

Dr. Cohen toured the facility and shared tips on how to stay well this holiday season.

She stressed the importance of keeping up with the latest COVID and flu shots and says if you don't feel well this Thanksgiving, stay home. She said about 14% of adults in the U.S. have received the new COVID vaccine which is "not enough." She said while COVID numbers are low, nearly 1,000 people in New York have died from COVID in just the last three months.

"It is still here and unfortunately still taking people's lives," she says.

Dr. John Zaso, a pediatrician, said he's seeing an uptick in flu cases locally, which he said started a few weeks ago.

He said there are also a lot of RSV cases. He said RSV and flu "are keeping us busy right now."

There's also another virus going around which can linger for weeks. Dr. Zaso said it can cause severe respiratory symptoms.

Dr. Cohen said masks do work and reminds people to wash their hands and said don't forget ventilation, like opening a window.

Click here to order free COVID-19 tests from the government.