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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE:

March 16, 2020 by in Supervisor's Message

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND IN LINKS AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE IN RED BANNER


This is Steven Vegliante, Supervisor of the Town of Fallsburg, with an updated public health advisory. Today is Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 5:00 pm.

The Sullivan County Manager has issued a State of Emergency in our County. Large gatherings are prohibited and all public schools will remain closed until at least April 1, 2020.

As we all work, as a nation and individually to slow the spread and severity of the Covid-19 / Coronavirus outbreak, I have taken several steps within the Town that are consistent with established protocols and recommendations.

All public offices within the Town will be closed to the public until April 1, 2020. We are doing this to protect our Town Staff who will be at work, performing necessary functions. I encourage all residents to phone or email staff rather than come to Town Hall. All numbers and email addresses are available on our website. If you must bring paperwork to the Town, there is a mail slot in the Town Clerk’s office and a drop box in the Assessor/Code Enforcement office vestibule. All paperwork will be reviewed as soon as possible.

For more information on the virus, please visit the Town of Fallsburg website. There you will find a Coronavirus / Novel COVID-19 page which has resources provided by the NYS Department of Health as well as links to the NYS Department of Health web page and a web page developed by Congressman Antonio Delgado’s office. These pages contain reliable information to guide you and your family going further. Finally, an informational hotline has been established by the NYS Department of Health at 1-888-364-3065.

As of yesterday at 8:00 p.m, there are 613 known cases of Covid-19 or Coronavirus in NYS. There are no confirmed cases within Sullivan County as of this report. There are 5 confirmed case in Ulster County, 6 within Orange County and 12 within Rockland County. There are no confirmed cases within Sullivan County. While there have been sporadic reports of local cases, none have been confirmed by the NYS DOH. However, we believe there will be local cases and we should be vigilant in protecting ourselves and our neighbors. Most that get infected will recover without incident. However, we must all limit exposure to those who have compromised immunity or primary function, as they are most at risk.

Regarding Prevention, while there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. A fun way to judge the time is to sing the happy birthday song, twice.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have symptoms. Practice social distancing, or remaining at least 6 feet from others, wherever possible.
  • Stay home when you are sick. Employers, please cooperate and support employees that are staying home, as it is in the best interest of all not to cross-infect others within the workplace
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Our office will continue to coordinate efforts with the County of Sullivan Department of Emergency Management and Sullivan County Public Health as necessary, and will remain in contact with the NYS Department of Health and the Governor’s office.

Once again, I urge you to not panic, but to be prepared and responsible, and together we can inhibit the spread of Covid-19. In an emergency please call the Fallsburg Police Department at 8454344422 or dial 911. Stay Healthy and Stay Safe and Thank you.