The Kingston News Blog: (COVID-19) Coronavirus

With positive cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations rapidly rising, County Executive Ryan announced that he has declared a State of Emergency The State of Emergency will be in effect for at least 30 days and will allow Ulster County to rapidly procure needed testing and vaccination supplies, bolster available public health staff resources, and redeploy County staff to support COVID operations if necessary Active cases of COVID-19 have tripled since Halloween, bringing the count to its highest level since April 2021 County Executive Pat Ryan urges the public to get vaccinated, get their booster shot, and continue to socially distance and wear masks when indoors

KINGSTON, N.Y. – In response to rapidly rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and the emergence of the new Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced today that he has declared a State of Emergency. The order, in effect for at least thirty (30) days, will allow Ulster County to more rapidly procure needed testing supplies for local schools, businesses, and families; bolster available public health and medical staff resources across the county; and, if necessary, to redeploy the workforce to support testing, contact tracing, and vaccination efforts.

“With COVID cases and hospitalizations surging, and the emergence of a new and potentially more dangerous variant, we must step up our efforts to ensure the health and safety of all of our residents,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “Informed by real-time data and the advice of our team of public health experts, this emergency order is an important step to allow the County to respond rapidly and effectively in order to combat the virus. We must do everything we can, individually and collectively, to prevent another difficult and deadly winter. I encourage all residents to get vaccinated, get your booster, and continue to socially distance and wear masks when indoors around others.

” In the month since Halloween, active cases of COVID-19 have tripled in Ulster County, bringing the count to its highest level since April 2021. Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan is continuing to urge residents to get vaccinated if they have not already, and to get their booster shot if they received their last dose over six months ago. “With the emergence of the Omicron variant, it’s even more urgent to get vaccinated and get your booster,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “Vaccines remain our most effective tool to stop the virus and save lives.

” Ulster County will continue to hold regular vaccination PODs for residents who need to receive their 1st dose, 2nd dose, or booster dose. Appointments are recommended for the County’s vaccination PODs; although walk-ins will be accommodated as capacity allows. Sign up for an appointment at VaccinateUlster.com. In addition,

County Executive Ryan reiterated the continued need for residents to volunteer to staff and support the county’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The Ulster County Department of Health is still accepting volunteers, particularly medical volunteers to be vaccinators, and screeners. Vaccinators need both an active license and current CPR certificate, or can be basic and advanced EMTs with current CPR certificate. Screeners create the record of vaccination for each patient, so should be computer literate, have attention to detail, and good customer service and communication skills. Both of these medical volunteers will receive a stipend. Sign up to volunteer at https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/vaccine-volunteer/.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan COVID-19 update

Video by County Executive Pat Ryan on Facebook facebook.com/UlsterCountyExecutive

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan COVID-19 update

Video by County Executive Pat Ryan on Facebook facebook.com/UlsterCountyExecutive

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan COVID-19 update

Video by County Executive Pat Ryan on Facebook facebook.com/UlsterCountyExecutive

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan COVID-19 Update

Video by County Executive Pat Ryan on Facebook facebook.com/UlsterCountyExecutive

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Assemblymember Cahill Continues to Advocate for a Functioning Kingston Hospital

Photo provided by Assembly Member Kevin Cahills office

(Kingston, NY) – Today Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) joined other local officials in raising concern over layoffs and cuts to service that Westchester Medical Center has imposed on the Kingston Community. The inpatient Behavioral Health and Detox unit was moved to Poughkeepsie under the guise of increasing COVID capacity, which now WMC is attempting to make permanent. This move has been followed by a round of 41 nursing staff layoffs announced last month.

“The actions of Westchester Medical leadership have been absolutely jarring. While our community is reeling from the opioid crisis, they cut addiction services. After last year praising their staff as heroes for their response to the Pandemic, now they decimated their ranks. While their CEO and other high level executives located three counties away make millions of dollars each year, our community continues to see the destruction of our local health care system. This is just the latest of many breaches of faith and direct violation of their operating agreement. Before it’s too late, they should be held accountable. New York State Department of Health: we are talking to you,” said Cahill.

Following the proposed cuts in behavioral health services, Assemblymember Cahill and then Senator Jen Metzger wrote a letter to Dr. Howard Zucker, Commissioner of the Department of Health urging them to reject this proposed cut, highlighting that the Certificate of Need granted to operate Kingston Hospital explicitly calls for such mental healthcare. After that and several other attempts to prod the Department into action, still nothing is being done.

“I am so sorry that we have to continue the fight, not just for our behavioral health and detox services, not just the forty-one people who just got laid off, but we have to preserve and we have to restore healthcare for this community. Let’s be perfectly clear, when Westchester Medical Center received approval from the Department of Health to be affiliated with Kingston and Benedictine Hospitals with the intent to restore, rejuvenate and refresh healthcare in this county, not destroy it. And what we have seen from the day they set foot in this county was the destruction of community healthcare. That has to stop,” concluded Cahill.

Press Release July 7, 2021
Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill Assembly District 103

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Mayor Noble's Thursday Update: 6-3-2021

Mayor Noble's Daily Update on the latest local developments in COVID-19 related issues in the City of Kingston Video by Radio Kingston.

Recorded Live at facebook.com/KingstonNYgov

Briefing on COVID-19 with Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan 6/3/21

Video by Radio Kingston Live on Facebook facebook.com/UlsterCountyExecutive and televised on Local Public Access 23 on Spectrum Esopus Area Community TV which serves City of Kingston, Town of Kingston, Ulster, Rosendale, Hurley, Marbletown.

Friday, May 28, 2021

County Executive Ryan Announces that All County Offices Will Reopen to the Public Starting on June 1st

Visitors to County offices are required to wear masks unless they provide proof of vaccination Department of Motor Vehicles to remain by-appointment only

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan today announced that starting on Tuesday, June 1st, all Ulster County Offices will be open to the general public. Residents entering County buildings will be required to wear masks unless they provide proof of vaccination. The Ulster County DMV will remain open by appointment only. “This is a major milestone for our community,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “We have seen a sharp decrease in positive cases because our residents have been getting vaccinated. While we will be reopening to the public, we will continue to take necessary precautions to keep everyone safe. The health and safety of the 1,400 individuals who work for Ulster County, along with the tens of thousands of residents that we serve remains of utmost importance to me.” From the Executive's Desk