2nd Coronavirus Case Confirmed In Ulster County

KINGSTON, NY — Ulster County announced Wednesday that it has a second confirmed positive case of the new coronavirus and will be taking additional precautions to protect the public. County Executive Pat Ryan said there was potential contact between the affected individual and employees of the Wallkill Central School District.

He said the county health department has recommended closing the district through the weekend to allow for cleaning and disinfecting of the facilities.

"We will continue to closely monitor developments on the ground and make all decisions based on new data as the situation develops," Ryan said.

The Wallkill school district announced on its website that it will be closed Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13. All extracurricular activities and evening programs are cancelled for March 11 through March 15.

Additionally, Ulster County Commissioner of Health and Mental Health Dr. Carol Smith said she is recommending that all nursing homes and assisted living facilities within the county end visitation through the end of March.

"We also ask that all residents who are at higher risk — in particular seniors and those with chronic medical conditions — take necessary precautions such as avoiding large gatherings and public events," she said.

The county established a COVID-19 hotline at 845-340-1618 for people seeking more information. Alternatively they can visit the county website.

Ulster health officials said residents should take the following steps to minimize and contain potential exposures, including:

• Washing hands with soap and water frequently, for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating
• Avoiding touching surfaces in public spaces, whenever possible
• Avoiding touching eyes and mouth
• Always covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or a sleeve, rather than your hands and dispose of the tissue in the trash
• Staying home if sick, except to seek medical attention, to avoid infecting others
• Getting the flu shot if you have not done so already — it’s not too late
• Helping to keep your immune system strong by getting enough sleep and reducing stress

Medical experts said coronavirus symptoms can include fever, cough, fatigue, trouble breathing and pneumonia. These symptoms can also be seen in season flu and other coronavirus infections. CDC believes that at this time symptoms of coronavirus infection may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days after exposure. They said if you suspect that you or anyone in your family may have been exposed to coronavirus through travel to affected areas or are experiencing symptoms, contact your medical provider immediately. New York State’s state-of-the-art Wadsworth Laboratory, in Albany, is now authorized to conduct testing for coronavirus and can provide your doctor with a definite determination if coronavirus infection is present.

At a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there were now 212 cases of the virus in the state. The news from Ulster County brought that total to 213, up 40 from Tuesday.

Here is the breakdown of cases throughout the state:

• Westchester: 121 (13 new)
• New York City: 48 (12 new)
• Nassau: 28 (9 new)
• Suffolk: 6 (5 new)
• Rockland: 6
• Saratoga: 2
• Ulster: 2 (1 new)

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