Ulster has performed 50K tests
Rate of infection in county is 0.2 percent
About 50,000 coronavirus diagnostic tests have been performed in Ulster County since March 10 and all county residents are currently eligible to get tested, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday, the Ulster County COVID-19 Dashboard reported 1,958 confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Active cases in the county dropped to 110 from 116 cases reported on Monday. There have been 91 fatalities.
Ulster County Assistant Deputy County Executive Daniel Torres said 16 new positive cases reported in the county were all found at local state correctional facilities. According to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) website, there are currently 15 active cases at Ulster County correctional facilities.
DOCCS reported 4 active cases at Eastern, six at Shawangunk, five at
Wallkill and none at Ulster. In an emailed response to a question about the numbers reported, a DOCCS spokesperson wrote, “DOCCS, in consultation with [state Department of Health], continues to evaluate all options of further testing and anticipates doing additional targeted testing. The Department is awaiting test results for analysis in its continuing mission to keep all staff and incarcerated individuals safe.”
Ryan, who did not hold his weekly Facebook Live town hall on Tuesday because of scheduling issues, according to a spokesman, said in the press release that the county infection rate is 0.2 percent.
At a press conference Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said of the 57,397 test results reported to the state yesterday, 534, or 0.93 percent, were positive.
“It is critical that we remain vigilant, and I encourage all residents to get tested,” Ryan said in a prepared statement. “Our rate of new positive cases, and all of our metrics, are very encouraging — but we must remember this is not by accident. Our progress is a direct result of the diligent work that we have done as a county government and as a community to stop the spread. I want to thank all of our partners who have provided testing for our community.”
Earlier this month, Ulster County announced “Get Tested Week” as a part of Ryan’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Plan to respond to reports of increased cases. During “Get Tested Week,” Ulster County saw more test results than any other week to date with 4,681 test results, according to the press release.
The county’s Rapid Response five-step plan works to identify, investigate, isolate, communicate, and enforce regulations in the event of a potential uptick in COVID-19 cases. The plan focuses on identifying cases through increased testing capacity, investigation through contact tracing, isolation through quarantine, communication and continued enforcement of Cuomo’s New York PAUSE order.
Residents can find information about their nearest testing location and both walk-in testing sites and mobile testing sites by visiting https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/covid19-testing/. During testing a nasal swab, oral swab, or saliva sample may be obtained.
By the numbers
Dutchess County reported 4,440 confirmed cases, 206 active cases, 4,081 recoveries and 153 deaths.
For local coverage related to the coronavirus, go to bit.ly/DFCOVID19.