Infections, recoveries up in Ulster County

Ulster County had its worst single-day COVID-19 positivity rate in the second wave of this virus’ pandemic Tuesday.

The county’s new infection rate was 9.2% as 110 individuals tested positive over the last 24 hours from 1,190 tests conducted. It surpasses the 8.4% rate recorded just last Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Ulster reported 106 recoveries on its COVID online dashboard. Thus the active caseload rose only rose from 2,052 to 2,056.

Since testing began in March, the county has 5,404 confirmed cases and 3,217 recoveries. There were no deaths reported Tuesday. Overall fatalities stand at 131.

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The Saugerties Central School District announced Wednesday that it is extending its remote learning for two more weeks, through Jan. 15. The current plan is to return to hybrid learning on Tuesday, Jan. 19, the day after Martin Luther King Day.

The district was notified by the Ulster County Department of Health that a Riccardi Elementary student has been cleared from designated positive status.

In the schools

• The Wallkill Central School District reported that two remote-learning students in the high school and another at Leptondale Elementary have tested positive. It was also notified Tuesday that a remote student, last at Borden Middle School on Dec. 15,

is also positive. That has led to nine students and 11 staff members being asked to quarantine for 14 days from the last date of exposure. Wallkill remains in remote learning through Jan. 15 and is scheduled to return to the hybrid model on Jan. 19.

• Rondout Valley reported a positive test for a remote high school student.

• Marlboro was notified that a middle school remote student was positive.

• Highland announced that an elementary school staffer has tested positive.

• Ellenville was notified that an elementary school

teacher tested positive.

By the numbers

Dutchess County reported two more deaths Monday due to COVID. That is nine fatalities from the virus over the past week and brings the county’s death toll since the pandemic began to 217.

Dutchess’ dashboard listed 215 new cases, but also 376 recoveries. The active caseload dropped from 1,657 to 1,494. It’s the first time the county’s active cases fell under 1,500 in six days.

To date, Dutchess had had 10,405 confirmed cases and 8,909 recoveries. There are 102 hospitalized.

For local coverage related to the coronavirus, go to bit.ly/DFCOVID19.