Measles Outbreak: Nine Rockland Yeshivas Face Fines

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY —With the county's health crisis continuing to expand, nine yeshivas could each be hit with $44,000 or more in fines for not complying with a health department order. The number of measles cases in Rockland County has almost doubled since the order was issued.

The private schools face a public hearing before the Board of Health Wednesday and fines of up to $2,000 a day since Nov. 15.

Under state law, all schools must maintain lists of their students' immunization status, and keep the list updated. Then, during a public health crisis schools are required to share these lists (as well as any updates to them, for example if a student were to be vaccinated) with the Department of Health.

The nine schools named below did not comply with an expanded health department order Nov. 15 requiring un- and under-vaccinated students be kept home from schools where the vaccination rate is under 80 percent.

The stay-at-home part of Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert's order covered all schools within the Village of New Square, and any school in Spring Valley and Monsey (the geographical area affected by the measles outbreak) where fewer than 80 percent of students are vaccinated. The second part of the order required all affected schools to share their students' immunization records with the county health department.

The schools are:

• Yeshiva Ohr Torah, Monsey
• Bais Chana Malka, Spring Valley
• The Skill Building Center, Spring Valley
• Yeshiva Tzoin Yosef Pupa - Boys, Spring Valley
• Yeshiva Tzoin Yosef Pupa - Girls, Spring Valley
• Ateres Bnos, Spring Valley and Monsey
• Avir Yakov - Boys, Spring Valley and New Square
• Avir Yakov - Girls, Spring Valley and New City
• Bnei Yakov Yosef, Spring Valley and New City

"During a public health crisis, we expect everyone to comply with the Commissioner of Health’s orders," said County Executive Ed Day. "Thus far, Dr. Ruppert has told me of a high level of cooperation and we cannot countenance anyone violating state public health law. We plan to enforce these orders to the fullest extent of the law and penalize violators to the maximum level allowable to send a clear message that these orders must be complied with. I don't care what school it is, if the health department deems this step has to be taken, it will be taken. We will grant no quarter in protection of the health of this county."

The rule is part of Article I of the Sanitary Code of Rockland County and Section 309 of the Public Health Law of the State of New York.

There were 95 confirmed measles cases as of Monday, up from 55 when the order was issued. The health department is monitoring seven more suspected cases.

SEE ALSO:

• Measles Exposure In Rockland County, Newark Airport
• Rockland, Westchester Exposed To Measles By Another Visitor
• After Recent Measles Scare, Rockland Offers Residents Free Vaccine
• Seven Cases Of Measles Confirmed In Rockland County
• Now With 40 Measles Cases, County Adds Restrictions, Clinics
• Measles Outbreak Worsens; More Restrictions In Rockland
• Measles Outbreak: 88 Cases In Rockland, 34 In Brooklyn
  
• Measles Outbreak: Confirmed In 25 Other States As Well As NY
  
• Rockland County Measles Cases Rise To 95

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PHOTO/ CDC