COVID-19 is a new coronavirus first detected in the Hubei Province in China in December 2019. With thousands of confirmed cases in China, the novel coronavirus has spread internationally to South Korea, Japan, Italy, and others, including the United States. International health organizations continue to learn more about this virus, including development of vaccines.
Washington County’s Departments of Public Health and Public Safety in conjunction with County Administration are continuing to work closely with our state and federal health agencies to monitor the spread of the disease and act decisively to ensure we are as prepared as possible to keep Washington County safe and healthy.
STAY UP TO DATE AND INFORMED
Washington County will be distributing a community update message via email as needed based on case activity, which will include updated COVID-19 information and statistics. If you’re interested in receiving the update message, sign up here.
CASE STATUS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
Currently, our Washington County Public Health professionals continue monitoring a number local residents (statistics shown below) who either reported close contact with a subject testing positive for COVID-19 and quarantined, or were tested accordingly for COVID-19.
| COVID-19 CASES | PERSONS UNDER MONITORING |
| CONFIRMED | RECOVERED | DECEASED | ACTIVE | RELEASED |
| 4,333 | 4,108 | 50 | 553 | 12,476 |
Case Status data updated: 10/19/2020, 4:15 PM
*Privacy note: While we understand many in our communities would like to know more specific information about the COVID-19 positive patients and their locations, due to privacy regulations coupled with the county’s privacy policy, Washington County will not routinely release specific identifying information about patients (i.e., age, location) unless it aids in the Public Health investigation and identification of additional PUIs. Please remember, the identified PUIs and COVID-19 patients are under quarantine for 10 days from the date of exposure and are not out in the public. Public Health conducts a public health investigation on every COVID-19 positive patient and makes notification to those identified as having close personal contact with a COVID-19 positive patient.
NOTES ON RECENT CASE ACTIVITY
Nineteen new COVID-19 + cases were added / processed for today (Tuesday), there were fourteen new recoveries of active cases, ten current cases are hospitalized. Our Public Health and contact tracing team continue to work through the investigations of these new cases, identifying eight of the nineteen new cases with ties to other cases / investigations (including household spread cases, workplace spread and other school and/or community activities) and the remaining eleven cases have no identified origin of exposure at this time. Of the new cases added, five had been fully vaccinated (four received the Pfizer series and one received the J&J single dose).
SICK? NOT FEELING WELL? GET TESTED! STAY HOME!
As local COVID-19 cases continue to increase daily by double digits, our Public Health team is reminding those who may not be feeling well to STAY HOME and GET TESTED. Following a symptomatic test, QUARANTINE until you receive the official results and are released by your healthcare provider, the NYS Contact Tracers or our Public Health team. Many new cases continue to arise out of contact with symptomatic persons, and contact in public areas without the use of masks. PLEASE do your part to keep your family, friends, neighbors, fellow community members and schools safe and healthy. Looking for a test? bit.ly/COVIDTestFinder
TESTED IN VERMONT AND ARE COVID-19+ - LET US KNOW!
If you reside in Washington County and are COVID-19 tested in Vermont and received notification by the testing provider you were COVID-19 +, please reach out to our Washington County, NY Public Health Department team and let us know as soon as possible at (518)746-2400 so we can initiate the Public Health Investigation without delay. We are continuing to experience a delay (of up to 3 days in some cases) in receiving notification of COVID-19 + test results that originate from Vermont providers, our Public Health & Contact Tracing teams cannot begin the investigation and notification to contacts until that notification is received.
VISITING COUNTY FACILITIES? WEAR YOUR MASK!
In accordance with Washington County being identified as in the "HIGH" category based on the "Level of Community Transmission" data from the CDC, effective Friday, August 6, 2021, and until further notice, all employees and members of the public, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to be masked when in public indoor settings within Washington County owned / operated facilities.
ACTIVE COVID-19 CASE MAP BY TOWN (Updated 10/15/2021)
Based on the continuing increases in COVID-19 cases, we're releasing an updated graphic map weekly showing the active COVID-19 + cases by town as of this report (October 15, 2021). ⚠: Please understand that the absence of confirmed cases in a community does not mean there is not a COVID-19 risk in that community. We are encouraging everyone in our communities to ensure to take all necessary precautions while out in public. There is no one area that is "safer" from exposure to COVID-19 than another!
CDC UPDATES "PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS"
On July 27, 2021, the CDC issued an updated set of recommendations for fully vaccinated people, the full guidance can be found on the CDC's website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
As of today's update, Washington County remains in the HIGH category. In the latest guidance, it is recommended by the CDC, and our Washington County, NY Public Health Department team that ALL PEOPLE (regardless of vaccination status) WEAR A MASK in public indoor settings in areas identified as substantial or high transmission areas, which includes all of Washington County., according to the CDC.
COVID-19 VACCINATION EFFORTS - UPDATE
Our Washington County, NY Public Health Department & EMS Vaccination Team (led by the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, Inc and other county EMS agencies) in coordination with our school partners will be conducting a number of COVID-19 Vaccination events at schools throughout the county over the next three months, which will be open to everyone eligible on Thursday's between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. NOTE: We will continue to accept walk-ins as vaccine supply allows for our 1st Dose / Single Dose events featuring Pfizer and Moderna, all 3rd Dose / Booster Dose events are by registration only - no walk-ins for 3rd Dose / Booster Dose events. See registration information below:
WHITEHALL CENTRAL SCHOOL - 10/21, 3PM-6PM
- Pfizer (Age 12+) - 1st Dose - Walk-Ins Only (no registration required)
- J&J (Age 18+) - Single Dose - Register Here
- Pfizer **BOOSTER DOSE ONLY** - Register Here
ARGYLE CENTRAL SCHOOL - 10/28, 3PM-6PM
Those who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at one of our clinics should:
- Bring Identification
- Wear a short sleeve shirt
- Plan to stay for at least 15 minutes following vaccination for monitoring
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER DOSE YET?
As of September 24, 2021, eligible New Yorkers can receive their COVID-19 booster dose. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are free and widely available statewide for eligible New Yorkers. Currently, booster doses are only available to those who meet the eligibility criteria AND received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for their initial vaccine series at least six months ago." For more info about Booster shots and to find out if you're eligible, check the state's site here: ny.gov/boosters
WHY GET VACCINATED?
Building defenses against COVID-19 in our communities is a team effort, each and every one of us is a key part of that defense and adds another layer of protection against COVID-19. Everyone (living or working in NYS) age 12 and over are eligible for vaccination today! Have questions about the vaccines themselves or the process? The AdCouncil has a great info site here with all the answers to help you decide which vaccine is right for you 👉 http://getvaccineanswers.org
LOOKING FOR VAX FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY? REGISTER TODAY!
Our Public Health & EMS Vaccination Team members are also continuing to conduct local community vaccination efforts, including taking the vaccine on the road to our homebound community members. To register for information regarding our community vaccination events or homebound vaccination through Washington County, register on our website here: washingtoncountyny.gov/vaccineregistry
I WANT TO BE VACCINATED, WHAT CAN I DO?
County Public Health is only one of the many options available for access to vaccination (and many of the others receive larger allocations of vaccine than the counties), we encourage everyone in our communities to ensure you explore every available option if you want to be vaccinated!
For the latest information on the COVID-19 Vaccine and NYS Vaccine Distribution Program, check the state's website here: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
Our team at Washington County, NY Public Health Department remains committed to ensuring all those in our county who wish to be vaccinated can be vaccinated! We encourage everyone to stay up to date, informed and be patient as we all work through these challenges together.
Governor Cuomo recently released a statewide system tracking delivery of vaccine by residency of the person(s) vaccinated. To view the date published by the state relative to vaccine distribution and delivery, you can view the Vaccine Tracker here: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-tracker .
IS YOUR COVID-19 TEST RESULT PENDING? QUARANTINE!
If you're symptomatic, you've been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting your results PLEASE ensure you remain quarantined until your results return! We have seen recent cases with preventable exposures of those who continued their daily routine without quarantining while awaiting results, which returned positive. Need info on how and where to get tested? We've got you covered here: http://bit.ly/COVIDTestFinder
SYMPTOMS
The 2019 novel coronavirus may cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms like:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Runny Nose
- Fatigue
- Abdominal Pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Altered Mental Status / Confusion
- Chest Pains
- Seizures
The CDC believes at this time that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. If you are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern, or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to areas of concern, contact your health provider by phone immediately.
COVID-19 TESTING SITES & INFORMATION
Testing sites for COVID-19 can be found by searching the state’s COVID-19 testing site here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
PREVENTION
While there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
HOW YOU CAN HELP - VOLUNTEER & DONATION PROGRAM
PUBLIC / COMMUNITY INFORMATION
SPECIALIZED INFORMATION
CYBERSECURITY INFORMATION ON COVID-19
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns individuals to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19.
CISA encourages individuals to remain vigilant and take the following precautions.
