1st Sullivan County Resident Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Sullivan County joins Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Greene, Rockland and Westchester counties with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
On Monday, Sullivan County Public Health Director Nancy McGraw announced that a case of novel coronavirus was confirmed at the County-owned and operated Care Center at Sunset Lake in Liberty.
“A healthcare worker at our nursing home tested positive today for the virus,” McGraw said. “They have been self-isolating since going home from work last Thursday. As a matter of routine, the Center’s direct-care staff all wear personal protective equipment as they work, and to date, none of our Care Center residents or staff are exhibiting elevated temperatures or respiratory symptoms.”
More details about the resident weren't released. Prior to the confirmed COVID-19 case, a state of emergency was declared in Sullivan County and County Manager Joshua Potosek ordered the region's eight school districts to close for three weeks, through April 3.
“Sullivan County Public Health Services continues to be in direct contact with the NYS Department of Health for guidance and in investigating this case and limiting further transmission,” Potosek stated. “Visitation to the Care Center was halted on Friday, and until we know more about this situation, we are also halting all new admissions and non-urgent medical appointments at the facility.
During a press conference Monday morning, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced over 220 more confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 950 confirmed cases in New York State. There are now 220 confirmed cases in Westchester County, 16 in Rockland County, 11 in Orange County, 10 in Dutchess County and 7 in Ulster County.
On Sunday, Putnam and Greene counties joined other counties in the region with confirmed cases of coronavirus.
On Sunday, the CDC recommended all large events or mass gatherings be canceled or postponed for the next two months. The World Health Organization wants everyone to follow these five simple steps to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
All restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters in New York State, as well as in New Jersey and Connecticut, must close by Monday at 8 p.m.