KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan has signed a 30-day extension of the state of emergency order originally authorized on November 28, 2021, because of the rise in COVID-19 cases.
The extension comes as the number of cases, driven by the Omicron variant, have more than doubled in the last month. The number of cases is the highest since February 11, 2021.
The order, now in effect for an additional 30 days, has allowed the county to rapidly procure over 50,000 at-home kits and secure a second school specialist from the state to assist with contact tracing.
“The science is clear, with the emergence of the Omicron variant, it’s even more urgent to get vaccinated and get your booster,” said Ryan. “Vaccines remain our most effective tool to stop the virus and save lives.”
