Rockland Cases Jump; Catering Hall Fined; Exposure Warning

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland County has a total of 45 positive cases of the new coronavirus as of 6 p.m. Wednesday. Also, a catering hall has been fined for holding an event Tuesday with more than 100 people, in violation of state and county executive orders.

County officials know now of eight locations where a person who was contagious spent time locally, and warn residents that they must self-quarantine if they were at one of those places during the exposure periods.

The jump in cases means the virus is spreading quickly. State health officials confirmed just 31 cases in Rockland as of Wednesday morning.

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"All residents are advised to stay home including children and teens not in school. Practice social distancing by keeping 6 feet away from other people. Stay home unless you must go to work, need medical care, or groceries. Consider using delivery services for supplies. Remember to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, don’t touch eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and cover your cough with your sleeve or a tissue," said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.

Anyone who visited four more locations in Rockland County may have been exposed to and must stay in quarantine until the end date listed for each location:

Ohr Chaim Synagogue

• Located at 18-20 Forshay Road, Monsey, NY
• Potential Exposure date: Sunday, March 8, 2020
• Quarantine must continue until Monday, March 23

First Church of Nyack

• Located at 187 Main Street, Nyack, NY
• Potential Exposure date: Sunday, March 8, 2020
• Quarantine must continue until Monday, March 23

L’Dor (adult care facility)

• Located at 156 West Clarkstown Road, New City, NY
• Potential Exposure dates: Wednesday, March 11, Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13
• Quarantine for 14 days from last exposure with the latest end date of Saturday, March 28

Karlin Stolin Synagogue

• Located at 52 Main Street, Monsey, NY
• Potential Exposure date: Monday, March 16, 2020
• Quarantine must continue until Tuesday, March 31

That's in addition to the Jawonio PROS Program, Prince & Princess clothing store, the ASHAR School and Virgin Mary & St. Pachomius Coptic Orthodox Church. SEE: 2nd Coronavirus Death In Rockland, New Exposure Warning

Rockland County officials shut down an event Tuesday at Ateres Chaya Surah, 106 S. Madison Ave. in Spring Valley after inspectors observed over 100 people at the location. The event will be fined $2,000 in accordance with the county's State of Emergency.

The Department of Health is deploying inspectors as complaints are received to ensure that gatherings of more than 50 people and catered events are not occurring locally. This action is based upon Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order, which does not allow for gatherings of more than 50 people and considers catered events to be the same as restaurants.

Any gathering of more than 50 people or a catered event is considered a Public Health Nuisance by the Rockland County Department of Health and when discovered will be ordered shut down with a fine of $2,000 per day per violation.

To report a gathering of more than 50 people or a catered event being held in a public venue call the Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2608.

For quarantine information from the County Department of Health go here.

If you have any concerns about COVID-19, call the New York State Department of Health’s Novel Coronavirus 24-hour hotline at 1-888-364-3065 to speak with a NYSDOH expert who will answer questions. You may also call 211 for local COVID-19 information and resources, visit the county’s coronavirus webpage.

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