Dutchess County Reports 1st Coronavirus Case

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Dutchess County officials announced the county's first case of the new coronavirus. County Executive Marc Molinaro said at a Thursday news conference that the person who has been infected with the virus, or COVID-19, is under mandatory quarantine.

Dr. Anil Vaidian, the county's commissioner of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, said the person is at home and is recovering.

He said the county was notified Thursday morning of the positive case.

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Vaidian said his department is in the midst of contacting family, friends and others who may have been in close contact during the time the person was symptomatic.

"At this time we are confident that there is no need to panic," he said.

Molinaro said that it was more important than every to be vigilant about proper hygiene to keep oneself and one's family healthy and minimize the further spread of the new coronavirus.

"If you are experiencing symptoms, or think you have contracted coronavirus, please contact your primary-care physician," he said. "Do not go to your physician's office before calling."

County health officials said individuals who are traced to have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case will be notified by the public health officials and precautionary or mandatory quarantine will be established for each person.

Additional information, including symptoms and ways to prevent infection, can be found on the county's website.

There are 325 positive cases of the new coronavirus in the state as of Thursday.

Westchester County leads the state and the Hudson Valley with 148 cases, followed by four in Ulster County, one in Orange County and, now, one in Dutchess County.

The Bardavon announced Thursday that it would be postponing all events at the opera house and the Ulster Performing Arts Center for a minimum of 30 days, effective immediately.

Earlier Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the state was mandating limits on mass gatherings, directing events with 500 or more individuals in attendance to be cancelled or postponed.

Public health experts agree mass gatherings with people making sustained close contact are a place where the novel coronavirus can easily infect many people quickly and continue its spread. As such, events, gatherings, or places of business with less than 500 individuals in attendance will be required to cut capacity by 50 percent, with exceptions being made for spaces where individuals do not make sustained close contact, such as schools, hospitals, public buildings, mass transit, grocery stores and retail stores.

Cuomo said these new regulations will go into effect at 5 p.m.Friday, with the exception of Broadway theaters where the limits will go into effect at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Coronavirus in New York

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• Expert Offers Common-Sense Reasons Not To Panic Over Coronavirus

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