Putnam Coronavirus Updates: Tuesday Drive-Thru Tests

UPDATE APRIL 8 — Putnam County officials report 427 cases of new coronavirus confirmed in the county. Most of the residents who have tested positive are men. Most are between the ages of 30 and 60.

Putnam County Hospital reports 2 deaths in the past 24 hours, and a total of 16 in the outbreak so far.

On Tuesday, Putnam County Health Department nurses tested 96 Putnam residents for COVID-19 by appointment, finishing the most recent delivery of testing kits from the New York State Department of Health. Environmental Health staff members were on hand to help direct traffic and check in residents.

County officials have asked the state to set up a testing site in Putnam.

Putnam residents with symptoms can still be tested by NYSDOH and other private healthcare providers. Talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested. To be tested by NYSDOH, complete an assessment at covid19screening.health.ny.gov/.

SEE ALSO:

• NY Coronavirus: 'Upstate Lives Matter' Campaign Started
• Putnam Coronavirus: Seeking A Testing Site In The County

SOUTHEAST, NY — As the number of confirmed cases of new coronavirus continue to rise in Putnam, the County Health Commissioner has issued an Isolation Order for anyone who tests positive and has symptoms.

Local updates

Southeast town officials announced April 8 that Town parks are closed Until Further Notice.

On April 1, Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Nesheiwat issued a Standing Isolation Order for mandatory isolation related to the new coronavirus outbreak. The purpose is to separate sick people from healthy people and to help prevent the spread of the virus also known as COVID-19.

This Standing Order directs any person who tests positive for COVID-19 to isolate themselves at home (or other places as ordered by the Putnam County Department of Health). The Order also dictates how long the person, depending on symptoms, must remain isolated at home. If this legal isolation order is not followed, residents may be fined up to $2,000 per violation per day. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their child(ren) complies with the isolation order or face the same fines.

The directions below can be found in the Commissioner’s Standing Isolation Order and are in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms (symptomatic confirmed positive), you must stay at home until at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have NO symptoms (asymptomatic confirmed positive), you must stay at home until at least 7 days after the first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test AND have remained asymptomatic. If symptoms develop, follow the instructions for symptomatic confirmed positive cases.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have been designated by your employer as Health Care Personnel, you must stay at home until at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Then, upon returning to work, you should wear a facemask at all times while in the Health Care Facility until all symptoms have completely resolved or until 14 days after the illness started, whichever is longer.

The health department is asking anyone who is or will be affected by this isolation order to cooperate with the Putnam County Department of Health and provide accurate information about their illness, potential exposure sites, and people who may have been exposed. If a person under isolation has worsening symptoms, they should call their healthcare provider and follow their instructions. The full isolation order is attached and can also be viewed online.

"Everyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must follow the guidance outlined in this order. In order to curb this disease and flatten the curve every resident’s cooperation with all guidance from the Putnam County Department of Health is needed," Dr. Nesheiwat said. "At this time every decision we make not only impacts ourselves and our family, but our entire community. Your actions throughout this outbreak will make the difference between life and death."

Schools

Regents Exams are canceled for the school year. Coronavirus: No Regents Exams In June, State Ed Says

From the Brewster school district: 2020 Mr. Brewster Competition Raises Almost $90K

New York State

The PAUSE program has been prolonged to April 29. All residents have been asked to stay home, including children and teens. Residents are being directed to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary. Acquiring food or medical supplies are considered essential reasons to leave the home. When you must go out remember to stay away from other people as much as possible, following the recommendation of staying 6 feet apart. It is important that everyone stay home, whether they are healthy, or sick.

If you become mildly ill, stay home, and manage your symptoms. If you have symptoms indicative of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms. Do not dial 9-1-1 unless you have an immediate medical emergency.

Continue to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, and do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

If you have general COVID-19 concerns or questions please call 2-1-1. You can also call the New York State Department of Health’s Novel Coronavirus 24-hour hotline at 1-888-364-3065.