REPORTING OF LAB CONFIRMED CASES IN PUTNAM COUNTY CHANGED TO MORNING

/in , , , /by

The actual number of lab confirmed COVID-19 cases will be reported on the Putnam County website each morning. There will be no more 4:00 p.m. updates.

Please keep in mind that now is the time to focus on slowing the spread and flattening the curve. By staying home you can be part of the solution.

For more information, please visit our County website at www.putnamcountyny.com/coronavirus; or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealthny  and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.

the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Line is staffed by specially trained volunteers who can help.

/in , /by

Putnam county wants our residents to know that in addition to the Putnam County Crisis Line at 225-1222 New York state is offering an Emotional Support Line for those that would like a little extra support during this very unusual time.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Break down of positive cases by Towns in Putnam County

/in , , , , , /by

With the number of local cases of COVID-19 increasing daily, it is essential that county residents continue to stay at home, stay safe and practice social distancing, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said.

“We need to do our best to slow the spread of the outbreak, to flatten the curve, and protect our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed,” Odell said. “I really want to commend all of our residents for taking these orders as seriously as they have. The public response countywide has been fantastic.”

As of Friday morning, March 27, Putnam County had 106 positive COVID-19 cases. Every town in the county has positive cases. This is the breakdown of positive cases by town:

  • Carmel                  56
  • Kent                      13
  • Patterson             6
  • Phillipstown         6
  • Putnam Valley     8
  • Southeast            17

We are working hard at trying to get a state-run testing site in Putnam County, so that we can have the most accurate and complete information on the outbreak as quickly as possible.

Request that the State health department establish a testing site

/in , , , /by

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell has formally requested that the state health department establish a COVID-19 testing site in Putnam County without delay.

The lack of a state-run testing site within our county is putting Putnam County healthcare workers, first responders and residents at great risk Odell said.

“We need our own testing site so we can be sure of the accuracy of the results,” Odell said. “Secondhand information can be unreliable. Our first responders and health care workers need all the accurate information possible to protect themselves and our communities.”

The Putnam County Health Department is out of test kits and symptomatic residents must now travel to Westchester County, Dutchess County, Bear Mountain State Park or Danbury, Connecticut to get testing.

The information on positive test results we get from those out of county sites is often woefully incomplete, said Putnam County Commissioner of Health Michael Nesheiwat, MD.

Every testing site location is providing information in a different format, it is not standardized.  Much of the patient information is incomplete and numbers per municipality are skewed because zip codes overlap municipalities in Putnam.

“Sometimes a positive test report contains too little information to track a case,” Dr. Nesheiwat said. “We can’t operate in the dark. We need full, complete information to best protect the health and safety of our residents.”

Putnam received an additional 16 positive tests on Thursday, bringing the county’s total positive cases to 109.

“The Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services, the Sheriff’s Department and local police, fire and ambulance corps need to know what they are facing when they answer an emergency call,” said Ken Clair, Commissioner of the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services. “Are people in the home carrying COVID-19?  Is the neighborhood a hot zone?  Are our first responders being exposed without knowing it?”

Putnam residents deserve the same access to COVID-19 tests as residents of larger counties, said Legislator Amy Sayegh, chair of the Health Committee.

“Just because we are a small county doesn’t mean we should be treated like an afterthought,” Sayegh said. “Our residents need a convenient place to find out if they have been infected with coronavirus so they can take steps to protect their own families and community.”

For the latest COVID-19 information, check the Putnam County website, www.putnamcountyny.gov.

16 ADDITIONAL COVID-19 LAB CONFIRMED CASES IN PUTNAM

/in , , , /by

The Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) is confirming 16 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Putnam County residents, bringing the total to 109 cases. Now is the time to focus on slowing the spread and flattening the curve. By staying home you can be part of the solution.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit our County website at www.putnamcountyny.com/coronavirus; or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealthny  and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.

ELEVEN ADDITIONAL COVID-19 LAB CONFIRMED CASES IN PUTNAM

/in , , , /by

The Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) is confirming eleven new positive cases of COVID-19 in Putnam County residents, bringing the total to 93 cases. Now is the time to focus on slowing the spread and flattening the curve. By staying home you can be part of the solution.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit our County website at www.putnamcountyny.com/coronavirus; or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealthny  and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.

THIRTY-SIX ADDITIONAL COVID-19 LAB CONFIRMED CASES IN PUTNAM

/in , , , /by

The Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) is confirming thirty-six new positive cases of COVID-19 in Putnam County residents, bringing the total to eighty-two cases. Now is the time to focus on slowing the spread and flattening the curve. By staying home you can be part of the solution.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit our County website at www.putnamcountyny.com/coronavirus; or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealthny  and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.

HVEDC & Choice Words partner to bring you the latest information to help your business during the Covid-19 crisis

/in , , /by

We realize your organization may have had to scale back or reduce workforce due to the ramifications of COVID-19. While we wait on the status of the federal stimulus package, we are committed to staying up-to-date on private and public funding relief for businesses and non-profits and will be updating the following list at:  http://choicewordspr.com/covid19

1. Facebook Small Business Grants Program:
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. Not currently open but sign up to be alerted about new opportunities.

2.Small Business Administration Loans:
Low-interest loans available in NY. Apply on website.

3. FEMA Public Assistance Program:
Eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials may be reimbursed under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance program. FEMA will not duplicate assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or other federal agencies.

State, territorial, tribal, and local government entities and certain private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for Public Assistance. FEMA assistance will be provided at a 75 percent federal cost share. This assistance will require execution of a FEMA-State/Tribal/Territory Agreement, as appropriate, and execution of an applicable emergency plan. Local governments and other eligible PA applicants will apply through their respective state, tribal or territorial jurisdictions.

4. Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan COVID-19 Response Grant: 
This fund will issue grants to established nonprofit organizations that provide front-line services to our most vulnerable populations – food for our neediest families and essentials, such as prescription drug deliveries to homebound senior citizens and people with compromised immune systems. The impacts of the novel coronavirus are uncertain and continue to mount.  The COVID-19 Response Fund will be a funding resource for those in need.

5. Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund: The CDP COVID-19 Response Fund will focus on supporting nonprofit organizations working directly to respond to the pandemic among the most vulnerable populations in order to help build their capacity for response. These will include social service organizations focused on supporting hourly wage earners, workers in the gig economy, immigrant/New American populations, older adults, people with disabilities and other communities vulnerable to the physical health, mental health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

If you would like to make a donation or learn more about the Fund, please contact:
Laura Starr, Director of Development
(301) 219-7248
laura.starr@disasterphilanthropy.org

About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing, and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit hvedc.com.

United Way 2-1-1 Coronavirus info line comes to Putnam Important Coronavirus Questions – Call 2-1-1 Medical Emergencies – Call 9-1-1

/in , , , /by

Emergency Services and the Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) are asking residents to help reduce the incoming call volume now and in the coming weeks. Putnam County residents can now call the easy-to-remember 2-1-1 number for updated, non-emergent Coronavirus information. As a timely reminder, 2-1-1 is a universally recognizable number that builds a critical connection, especially in times of need, between individuals and families and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies.

“Keeping the phone lines open for our health department, hospitals, 9-1-1 staff and community partners is a top priority,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “They are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of you the resident. The 211 operators are now able to answer Putnam-related questions or direct you to the proper resources. We thank them for stepping in to help in this evolving situation.”

Tom Gabriel, President and CEO, United Way of Westchester and Putnam says, “We’re pleased to now partner with Putnam County to support their residents. We have worked with Westchester County with great success. People should know that by calling the United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline for COVID-19 information, you reduce the call volume that might otherwise bog down 9-1-1 dispatchers.”

The 2-1-1 operators are equipped with the latest updates from Putnam as the impact of Coronavirus evolves. Callers to 2-1-1 can receive reliable information such as, symptoms of the virus, how to access vital services and up to date case numbers. Their website at www.uwwp.org also provides updated numbers of confirmed cases in Putnam, Westchester and the surrounding counties.

SEVEN ADDITIONAL COVID-19 LAB CONFIRMED CASES IN PUTNAM

/in , , /by

The Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) is confirming seven new positive cases of COVID-19 in Putnam County residents, bringing the total to forty-six cases. Now is the time to focus on slowing the spread and flattening the curve. By staying home you can be part of the solution.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit our County website at www.putnamcountyny.com ; or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealthny and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY