East Hudson Valley News

Dutchess County issued the following announcement on May 27.

For More Information Contact:

Colleen Pillus, Communications Director 

(845) 486-2000

Poughkeepsie, NY …  Dutchess County’s initiative to test all nursing home residents continues, with four additional facilities completing resident testing and receiving results.   Six additional facilities are in the process of collecting and submitting samples for testing.   Results have been encouraging with a minimal number of new COVID-19 cases identified.

The results from the 4 facilities are as follows:

• 50 residents were tested at The Grand at Pawling, with 9 cases of COVID-19 identified.
• 59 residents were tested at Northern Dutchess Residential Healthcare Facility, with no COVID-19 positive results
• 112 residents were tested at Wingate Dutchess, with no COVID-19 positive results
• 60 residents were tested at Sapphire Wappingers Falls, with no COVID-19 positive cases.

Eight of the individuals identified as COVID-19 positive were asymptomatic and identified because of the County’s testing initiative and are now being cared for in separate, secure area of the facility.   The other individual had begun demonstrating symptoms and had already been isolated from the general population.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “These latest results from our nursing home resident initiative continue to be encouraging.   Local nursing homes are committed to ensuring the health and safety of those in their care and we appreciate their cooperation in this initiative.    We will continue to work closely with nursing homes throughout Dutchess to help assist them with personal protection equipment (PPE) as well as support resources for staff as they continue to their dedicated work to keep residents healthy and well cared for.”

The Dutchess County Nursing Home Task Force is currently working with the remaining 7 facilities for sample collection and testing.    Dutchess County has coordinated the delivery of diagnostic test kits and has provided necessary PPE to prevent testing cross contamination.   Test sample collection is expected to complete at all nursing home facilities by the end of this month.

Separate from the County’s resident testing initiative, nursing home facilities are conducting  mandatory staff testing as directed by Governor Cuomo with results reported to the state. 

Behavioral & Community Health Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian said, “We appreciate the cooperation and partnership from the local nursing home facilities.    This resident testing initiative provides an extra layer of protection for these vulnerable individuals by identifying any individuals who may not feel ill or be experiencing any symptoms but are positive for COVID-19.   These individuals can then be separated for close monitoring and to protect other residents.”

Nursing home safety has been a top priority for Dutchess County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although nursing homes are under the authority and oversight of the New York State Department of Health, County Executive Molinaro established Dutchess County’s Nursing Home Task Force, under the direction of DBCH, to be in  regular contact with nursing home leadership. The Task Force keeps open lines of communications, offers guidance where appropriate, and helps facilities address concerns and emerging issues, convening weekly conference calls with nursing homes. Among the pressing needs has been the provision of PPE supplies to meet heightened New York State Department of Health mandates for nursing homes.  Dutchess County has worked closely with the nursing homes, providing isolation suits and gowns, eye protection, N-95 respirators, surgical masks, as well as hand sanitizer. 

Dutchess County Government continues to provide residents the most current information on its COVID-19 Community Impact Dashboard, as well as guidance on its website, dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, its Coronavirus hotline, (845) 486-3555, and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Original source can be found here.