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, May 16.
Both incidents were connected to the previously announced cases in the towns of Rochester and Shawangunk.
Ryan also announced the formation of a new task force. “I also stood up a task force of doctors and other epidemiologists to help advise me and our health commissioner as we make decisions about events as they unfold on the ground,” he said. “We issued guidance to limit public events and gatherings, except only in the case of very essential pubic events and gathering so we are encouraging any non-essential public events and gatherings to be postponed at this time, especially anyone’s that might have over 50 attendees, which would pose the greatest 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 has established a COVID-19 hotline to answer questions from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will enumerate online options for residents to continue to receive critical services.
