KINGSTON – Two more Ulster County residents have been confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing to four the number in that county.
As a result, County Executive Patrick Ryan has declared a state of emergency and has suspended in-person county services for a two-week period to begin on Monday, March 16.
Both incidents were connected to the previously announced cases in the towns of Rochester and Shawangunk.
Ryan also announced the formation of an Executive’s Health and Safety Task Force to advise the county executive on issues regarding containment and mitigation issues surrounding the virus.
He also recommended that all non-essential indoor events be canceled or postponed for at least the next 14 days. In particular, events with 50 or more expected attendees pose the greatest health risk.
In consultation with Kingston Mayor Steven Noble and event organizers, this weekend’s Kingston St. Patrick’s Day parade, Shamrock Run and other festivities will be postponed.
Starting Monday, the county will limit access to public offices and locations for at least the next 14 days, including the departments of motor vehicles and social services and the offices for the aging and employment and training as well as the veteran services agency.
The county will announce phone numbers and online options for residents to continue to receive critical services.
