Negative Coronavirus Test No License To Party: Amler

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Responding to reports that people in Westchester County are hosting parties that require a negative test for the new coronavirus, County Executive George Latimer said Monday at a news conference that there's no cone of invincibility. He said there were "somewhere south of a dozen" instances that have come to the county's attention.

Dr. Sherlita Amler, the county health commissioner, said that some who have traveled to parts of the country that require quarantine upon return, as mandated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, have asked if they can just be tested for the virus and avoid quarantine.

"There really is no 'get out of jail' card when it comes to COVID testing," she said.

Testing negative is not a method of making oneself safe, Amler said.

"You can have a negative COVID test today, but can still be incubating and spreading COVID tomorrow," she said. "Getting COVID-tested to attend a party is a bad idea because it can lead to a lack of social distancing and mask wearing. This poses a risk to you, your children and everyone around them."

Amler said that some rapid tests for the coronavirus have a high rate of false negatives that ranges from 20 percent to 45 percent. This means that with some testing kits, nearly half the people who test negative may actually be infected, but will be told on the basis of the test that they are not.

"We must all keep doing our part by following mask and social distancing guidelines," she said. "If we don't, we could see another spike in COVID cases, more sickness and death and a return to a stay at home order.

New York guidelines for Phase 4 mandate that no more than 50 people can gather outdoors. Anyone over age 2 must wear a face covering in public when they are within 6 feet of others or are in a setting where they cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from others.

To report a social gathering in Westchester that violates Phase 4 guidelines, call your local police department or the Westchester County Department of Health at 914-813-5000. To report a violation of Phase 4 guidelines at a local business, go here

Coronavirus Update

Latimer said there were 462 active cases of the coronavirus as of Monday. That was the lowest number of active cases since the peak May 3. On that date there were more than 6,000 active cases.

The county reached a milestone Monday with 400,499 tests, meaning 40 percent of the county's population has been tested.

The most recent number of hospitalizations was 44, as opposed to 682 hospitalizations May 3.

There were no fatalities overnight, leaving the total number of deaths to day 1,446.

Latimer said the fatality rate is still hovering around 4 percent, which is more than the death rate for the flu.

Here is the latest map showing the confirmed and active cases of the new coronavirus by community.

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