No spikes in Ulster despite gatherings
County executive cautions against overconfidence
About three weeks have passed since the Fourth of July was celebrated in Ulster County with traditional family gatherings; it’s also been about three weeks since an Uptown Kingston rally was attended by about 200 people who were opposed to coronavirus-related restrictions imposed by government leaders.
At large gatherings, like many Fourth of July parties, the risk of contracting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is multiplied. And, at the “Unite for Peace and Restore Freedom” rally in Uptown Kingston, social distancing was largely ignored and face masks were rarely worn.
Health officials say symptoms of the coronavirus generally appear two to 14 days after exposure, and Ulster County is now well past what County Executive Pat Ryan has called “the sweet spot” where outbreaks sparked by those events were most likely to have been seen. And, Ulster County has seen no significant spikes in infection rates.
Still, when reached by phone on Friday, Ryan cautioned against overconfidence.
“Overall, we’re in a very good place. Yesterday there was only one new positive case out of 600 tested but it’s not by accident at
all,” he said.
The executive said there are “two components” to containment of the coronavirus in Ulster County. “Residents, with very few exceptions, are doing the right thing,” he said, by wearing face masks, practicing social distancing and observing hand hygiene.
And, Ryan said, businesses in the county are “acting responsibly.”
He said the county’s Rapid Response Team has also been able to react quickly to small hot spots in southern Ulster and the Kingston area that were detected in early July and were unrelated to the Fourth of July weekend.
“The public should feel confident, but not change what they’re actually doing,” he said.
While there are no major holidays coming up, Ryan said “to a certain extent every day presents a certain degree of challenges.” He said recent “underground parties” held by college-age people in Albany County were attended by more than 200 individuals and have already led to 20 positive cases.
“Every day those opportunities exist [to spread the virus] and it’s important that we keep that in mind until we have a vaccine. … It’s comforting to see that what we have been doing is working.” Ryan said.
Recently, Ryan said he asked one of Ulster County’s leading public health nurses why he thinks Ulster County has been so successful in keeping coronavirus in check.
Without hesitation, Ryan said, his answer was, “Because people are doing the right thing.”
•••
On Thursday, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian said an employee at Ashley Home Store at 1895 South Road in Poughkeepsie tested positive for COVID-19.
Vaidian said anyone who shopped at the store from July 11 to 15 is advised to monitor for symptoms and seek testing as a precautionary measure. Individuals with concerns may also contact the Dutchess County Coronavirus Hotline at (845) 486-3555.
The county’s Rapid Response Team has been working with Ashley HomeStore to ensure they are following all recommended health and safety guidelines and protocols, and the store has already conducted a thorough cleaning and disinfection of its facility. Contact tracing is underway with those confirmed to have had direct contact with the individual, according to a press release.
Symptoms of coronavirus, which may appear two to 14 days after exposure, include fever, coughing, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
Testing is available and information about the nearest locations can be found online at https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Collection-Sites-for-Testing-inDutchess-County.htm.
By the numbers
Ulster County, for which the most recent online data is from Thursday, reported no recent COVID-related deaths. Ninety county residents have died from the virus since the outbreak began in March. Ulster County had 109 active cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, according to the county’s online dashboard. There have been a total of 1,926 confirmed of the virus in the county since March, and 1,727 of those patients have recovered. Dutchess County, for which the most recent online data is from Wednesday, reported there are 207 active cases of COVID-19, down from 216 the previous day. There had been a total of 4,400 confirmed cases of COVID in Dutchess, including 4,040 recoveries.
Dutchess reported 153 county residents have died from COVID-19.