Statement from Ulster County Health Commissioner, Dr. Carol M. Smith, Regarding the Coronavirus

Posted February 10, 2020

KINGSTON, N.Y. - “Given the ongoing issues involving the global Novel Coronavirus outbreak, we continue to closely monitor activities to ensure the public’s health and safety here at home in Ulster County. Currently, there are no known or suspected cases of the Novel Coronavirus in Ulster County and the County Health Department is working closely with State and federal health agencies to ensure every possible precaution is put in place.

Pursuant to New York State Department of Health (“DOH”) and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and out of an abundance of caution to protect the public health and safety of all Ulster County and New York State residents, traveling individuals returning from certain specified areas where they may have been exposed to the Coronavirus are asked to voluntarily isolate themselves for a period of fourteen days. To date, four Ulster County individuals returning from recent trips to China have agreed to self-isolate as requested and have shown no symptoms of illness. This number of self-isolations is similar to what other counties outside of New York City are experiencing, and all counties are following the same State and federal guidance on self-isolation.

I can assure Ulster County residents that our Department of Health, working with the County Department of Emergency Management and the Office of the County Executive, will continue to monitor this situation closely. We have been in daily contact with the DOH and have taken all necessary precautions to avoid the spread of this disease into and within Ulster County.”

For more information and links to State and federal resources regarding the Coronavirus, please visit: https://ulstercountyny.gov/health/health-mental-health/news-and-current-...

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