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. 

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. 

Case Status data updated: 01/19/2020, 7:30 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 14 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 TODAY'S NEW CASES

Since yesterday's report, fourteen new COVID-19 + cases were added / processed, there were twenty-seven recoveries of active cases and nine active cases are hospitalized. Four of today's new cases are related to active COVID-19 + cases / investigations and the remaining ten cases remain under investigation and are currently identified as "community" cases with unknown origin at this time. The Public Health Investigations and Contact Tracing efforts are still ongoing for today's new cases and new cases are continuing to come in and await processing.

COVID-19 VACCINE INFO   **NEW STATE APPTS ADDED**

Washington County, NY Public Health Department continues to work alongside our partners at New York State and other area community healthcare providers as they rollout vaccine in our communities (based on supply available). Our Public Health team is currently awaiting vaccine supply for dispensing. Please know, we understand the growing frustration from many in all of our communities with the vaccine distribution system (including the reports of accessibility difficulties to the state's web sign-up and vaccination hotline). We encourage everyone to stay up to date, informed and BE PATIENT as we all work through these challenges together. 

Governor Andrew Cuomo continues developing the state's mass vaccination sites throughout the state, information on eligibility for the vaccine and sign-up at the state run mass vaccination sites is available online at ny.gov/vaccine **new appointments have been released for the state run sites, keep checking for updated appointment availability**. Information on locally administered Washington County public PODs, when scheduled and vaccine is available, will be released on our COVID-19 information site (linked below) and Public Health / Public Safety social media outlets.

I WANT TO BE VACCINATED, WHAT CAN I DO?

• Are you eligible? http://bit.ly/COVID19_AmIEligible (state run sites)
• No internet access? Call (833)NYS-4VAX (state run sites)
• Check with your Healthcare Provider for vaccine availability
• Check with Pharmacies: CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens & Kinney
• Check our site for updates: washingtoncountyny.gov/coronavirus 

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! The distribution of vaccine is an extensive process and will take a significant amount of time to get to everyone (approximately 14 weeks for those currently eligible), we are required to abide by the stipulations as set forth in the state's distribution program and are limited by supply. We encourage everyone to stay up to date, informed and be patient as we all work through these challenges together.

#COVID19 #vaccinateny #washingtoncountyny

IS YOUR COVID-19 TEST RESULT PENDING? QUARANTINE!

If 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

PH INVESTIGATIONS & CONTACT TRACING TAKING TIME

Due to the continued significant increases in COVID-19 + cases and subsequent PUMs, contact tracing efforts are taking up to 72 hours (or more in extensive cases) to complete from the time all the necessary information is received by Public Health. Our Public Health team are advising that those who receive positive test results self-notify to their known close personal contacts and Public Health advises anyone who has been notified they are a contact of a COVID-19 + to self-quarantine until they are contacted by Public Health or the NYS Contact Tracing team. Our Public Health and NYS Contact Tracing teams are working as quickly as they possibly can through the cases they are receiving.

ACTIVE COVID-19 + CASES BY TOWN MAP UPDATED 01/15/2021

Each Friday, we will be releasing a graphic map showing active COVID-19 + cases by town. ⚠: 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! 👉 MASK UP. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.

STAY UP TO DATE AND INFORMED

Washington County will be distributing a community update message via email once daily, typically in the afternoon, which will include updated COVID-19 information and statistics. If you’re interested in receiving the daily update message, sign up here.

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED / REMAINS IN EFFECT

Washington County Board of Supervisors Chairman Samuel J. Hall declared a State of Emergency for Washington County, initially effective as of 2:00 PM on March 16, 2020. The State of Emergency allows the county to continue facilitating the ongoing response to COVID-19 and to provide the County of Washington and local organizations with the flexibility needed to respond to this imminent threat to public health, safety and quality of life.

• Washington County State of Emergency Declaration: Extension issued January 4, 2021
• Washington County Executive Order: 2020.10 - December 24, 2020

SCHOOL GUIDANCE ISSUED AHEAD OF HOLIDAY TRAVEL

As the holiday travel season approaches your county Public Health team and school leadership wants to remind our communities and families about the New York State travel advisory and how it can impact your child’s ability to attend school. Read our full message which outlines the process, applicable scenarios and information to help keep our schools, students and staff members healthy and safe here: Message to our School Communities Ahead of Holiday Travel

KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING, WEAR A MASK WHEN IN PUBLIC

We encourage all those in our communities to use all efforts of ‘social-distancing’ as an effective public health measure to prevent and slow the transmission of COVID-19. In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order, a face covering or mask must be worn when in public and unable to socially distance (exceptions: under two years old, those medically unable to tolerate a face covering / mask).

STAY HOME. STOP THE SPREAD. SAVE LIVES.

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

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

• NYS COVID-19 Volunteer & Donation Assistance Program

PUBLIC / COMMUNITY INFORMATION

• NYSDOH Coronavirus Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
• Know the Facts About COVID-19 and Help Stop the Spread of Rumors
• CDC COVID-19
• NYSDOH COVID-19
• US Food and Drug Administration COVID-19
• Saratoga, Washington, Warren County COAD (Communities Organizations Active in Disasters) Situation Report

SPECIALIZED INFORMATION

• Child Care and Schools
• Businesses
• Travelers
• Managing Anxiety & Stress associated with COVID-19
• Talking with Children about COVID-19
• NYS Mental Health Support Line for COVID-19: (844)863-9314

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.

• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments. See Using Caution with Email Attachments and Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Scams for more information.
• Use trusted sources—such as legitimate, government websites—for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19.
• Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.
• Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s page on Charity Scams for more information.