Officials say Orange County’s 1st person has tested positive for the coronavirus

Officials in Orange County say a person has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first in the county.

News 12 Staff

Mar 12, 2020, 9:22 PM

Updated 1,511 days ago

Share:

Officials in Orange County say a person has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first in the county.
Health officials say the patient is now in isolation at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh after coming in with symptoms and testing positive.
A total of 26 hospital employees who came in contact with that patient are now under quarantine as a result, according to the Orange County Health Department.
The positive diagnosis comes one day after an Ulster County man tested positive for coronavirus at Crystal Run Healthcare in the Town of Wallkill, which is also in Orange County.
Health officials say dozens of people who had direct contact with both of those patients have been notified to self-quarantine.
Hospital officials in Newburgh say their staff members exposed are now on paid leave.
"There were people that came into contact with this individual who are employees, who we did, and have now, put on furlough. We don't expect nor suspect that they are ill. We definitely know that they are not currently ill. And we don't expect them to become ill. However, just following CDC federal state guidelines as well as the advice of Orange County Department of Health, we are just doing the right thing by our employees,” says Dan Moore, of Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital.
During the news conference, Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman stressed that overall risk to the public remains low.
Health officials will not disclose where the patient with coronavirus lives in Orange County. Their condition is also unknown.
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION: What you can do to protect yourself
PHOTOS: The impact of the coronavirus outbreak around the world:
undefined
News 12 will host a 30-minute call-in show every night this week at 7 p.m. from March 9 to March 13 where experts will answer your questions about the coronavirus. The show will be followed by a special Facebook Live Q&A. The call in number is 914-378-4610.  
 


More from News 12
1:29
Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

2:01
Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

1:22
Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

0:20
Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

0:27
White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

1:33
SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

0:35
 Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

1:48
Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

0:30
Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

0:53
Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

0:41
Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

0:31
Car drives into Whoo's Bar and Grill in Newburgh forcing its closure

Car drives into Whoo's Bar and Grill in Newburgh forcing its closure

0:33
Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

0:20
Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

0:31
Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

0:51
Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

2:15
Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

0:32
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

0:56
Homeless man arrested for 20th time in Ulster County for possessing stolen items

Homeless man arrested for 20th time in Ulster County for possessing stolen items