PROTECTING RESIDENTS
Rensselaer County Executive McLaughlin says he will do whatever he can to protect constituents
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. » “I’m going to do whatever I have to do and whatever I can do to protect you.”
Those were some of the words Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said to his constituents on Thursday afternoon amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The county jumped from 38 positive cases on Wednesday to 44 cases by Thursday afternoon.
The new cases include a 60-year- old female, a 42-yearold female, both from Sand Lake, and a 49-year- old male and a 34-year- old male, both from East Greenbush, along with two additional cases include a 30-year- old female from Troy and a 24-year- old female from Troy.
There are currently over 375 individuals being monitored. Approximately 1053 tests have been administered through the county health department. Five individuals from the county are currently hospitalized.
There are currently over 375 individuals being monitored. Approximately 1053 tests have been administered through the county Health Department.
“A huge number of negatives have come in,” McLaughlin said.
Rensselaer County Public
Health Director Mary Fran Wachunas said the ages range from 14 to 97 years old.
“This is a different animal that we’re dealing with,” McLaughlin said. “It is very contagious, and that’s why it’s such a hard problem to deal with.”
Overview of COVID-19 cases in Rensselaer County:
A breakdown of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Rensselaer County by municipality and
age group is provided. As of Thursday, March 26, the county has 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Troy - 17
East Greenbush - 8 North Greenbush - 5 Brunswick - 4 Hoosick - 2 Schodack - 1 Schaghticoke - 1 Rensselaer – 2 Pittstown – 1 Poestenkill - 1
Sand Lake - 2 Breakdown by age: Teenagers - 1
20 to 29 yrs - 12
30 to 39 yrs - 7
40 to 49 yrs - 4
50 to 59 yrs - 3
60 to 69 yrs - 10
70 to 79 yrs – 4
80 to 89 yrs - 1
90 and older - 2
“We are seeing a lot in the Troy area,” Wachunas said.
“A lot of the positive tests that have come in are health care workers,” Wachunas added.
Wachunas said Rensselaer County has had four overdoses this week and wants to remind people that help is still there for people dealing with addiction.
“We just don’t want that to happen; we’re here for you,” Wachunas said. She went on to say that people struggling with addiction can call 1-833- 467-3123 to talk to counselors.
Rensselaer County Department for the Aging Commissioner Carol Rosbozom also joined McLaughlin during an update Thursday afternoon.
Rosbozom praised McLaughlin for making the decision a couple of weeks ago to close nursing homes and senior centers since she believes that has helped avoid a spread in those atmospheres.
“We want to keep [senior citizens] safe and healthy at home,” Rosbozom said while talking about the county delivering nearly 1,000 meals to senior citizens each week.
On Wednesday, McLaughlin made a call seeking a ban on non- essential travel between New York City and areas south of
Westchester to upstate, including Rensselaer County. McLaughlin said he formally sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo requesting the travel ban.
The request comes after five individuals from New York City relocated to Troy, and are all now positive with COVID-19, according to McLaughlin.
If no travel ban is possible, McLaughlin said he will seek to implement a 14day quarantine on anyone traveling from Westchester County and areas south, including New York City and Long Island, to Rensselaer County.
“We need to take reasonable and common-sense steps to protect the residents of Rensselaer County from a further spread of coronavirus in our county,” McLaughlin said.
“There have been five cases of COVID-19 in our county from residents who recently relocated from New York City. Non- essential travel between downstate to upstate, including Rensselaer County, needs to be put on pause immediately,” McLaughlin added.