Catering Workers May Have Spread New Coronavirus in Rockland

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The two Rockland County residents who worked at a bar mitzvah in Westchester and were infected with new coronavirus worked locally while contagious. They may have exposed others to the disease between Feb. 28 and March 2, Rockland County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert warned on Sunday.

"It was previously believed that these infected individuals had not worked as caterers during these events and it was only through the detective work of one of our investigators that this discovery was made,” Dr. Ruppert said in a noon statement on Sunday.

Anyone who visited the following locations in the county may have been exposed to the virus officially known as COVID-19:

150 Remsen Avenue, Monsey, NY

• Friday, Feb. 28, between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 29, between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Atrium Ballroom, 401 NY-59, Monsey, NY

• Monday, March 2, between 2:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.

“Any person who believes they may have been exposed should contact their health care provider by phone right away," Dr. Ruppert said. "I also ask that anyone who becomes ill with this disease be completely forthcoming with our investigators, it is only with your help that we can prevent the spread of this disease."

The Health Department is asking all health care providers to immediately report all possible cases of new coronavirus to the Rockland County Department of Health Communicable Disease Program staff by calling 845-364-2997 during normal business hours, or 845-364-8600 after hours/weekends. Health Care providers can call this number for additional information.

At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the number of new coronavirus cases had risen as expected in New York State. There were 105 total confirmed cases, most of them in the Hudson Valley.

The Rockland County Department of Health is currently monitoring 22 people under quarantine and is following CDC and New York State Department of Health protocols.

It is recommended that Rockland residents take the following precautions to prevent the spread of new coronavirus:

• Stay home if sick and contact your medical provider before visiting their office.
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay up to date on CDC travel health notices

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it.

The New York State Department of Health has established a new coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065 to speak with a NYSDOH expert who will answer questions, Monday – Sunday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. After hours, you may leave a voicemail that will be returned.

SEE ALSO:

• Iona College In New Rochelle Beginning Spring Break Early
• Coronavirus: Scarsdale Closes School District; Faculty Member Ill
• Suffolk's 1st Coronavirus Patient An Employee At Popular Brewery
• Coronavirus: 142 NY Cases, Schools Close, State Makes Hand Soap
• To Avoid Coronavirus, Americans Over 60 Should Hunker Down: CDC