County Executive Ryan and Commissioner of Health Dr. Smith hold a digital town hall to directly take residents questions

County Executive Ryan releases new guidelines for daycares

County Executive Ryan commits to adding a mobile testing facility starting Monday, 3/23

KINGSTON, N.Y. - County Executive Pat Ryan and Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol Smith held a Facebook Live Town Hall today reaching nearly 5,000 participants to take questions directly from residents on COVID-19. County Executive Ryan and Commissioner Dr. Smith answered questions ranging from support for Ulster County businesses to guidance for daycares. County Executive Ryan announced that the County will ramp up testing efforts by adding a mobile testing facility starting next Monday, March 23rd. 

As a part of the town hall, County Executive Ryan announced new daycare guidelines including reducing attendance to 50% of students, giving priority to families who are first responders and health care workers, and taking the temperature of all children and staff with a no-touch thermometer before entering the building and more. 

“As a parent with a child in daycare, I fully understand the importance of ensuring the safety of our children while keeping open our facilities to allow parents, especially emergency responders, to work at this critical moment,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “Additionally, our staff is working 24/7 to ensure that we have the resources needed to combat COVID-19. We will be opening our first mobile testing facility on Monday so that we can streamline testing as best as we can.” 

County Government is continuing to ramp up response efforts. Yesterday, County Executive Ryan announced “Project Resilience" a community fund and local food distribution effort to support residents impacted by COVID-19 which has already secured $2 million in funding support. County Executive Ryan last week declared a State of Emergency. He also directed the closure of all County schools and that the County suspend in-person County services for a two-week period. 

As of today, the total number of cases in which an individual tested positive for COVID-19 in Ulster County is 9. 

To watch the Facebook Live Town Hall visit: https://www.facebook.com/UlsterCountyExecutive/videos/608436986554659/

For additional information about COVID-19 and complete daycare guidelines visit: https://ulstercountyny.gov/coronavirus

Ulster County COVID-19 Hotline: 845-443-8888

NYS Coronavirus Information Hotline: 888-364-3065

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