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Measles

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Measles Outbreak: Cases Surpass 2023 Numbers, NY Among Dozens Of States Reporting Sickness Measles Outbreak: Cases Surpass 2023 Numbers, NY Among Dozens Of States Reporting Sickness
Measles Outbreak: Cases Surpass 2023 Numbers, NY Among Dozens Of States Reporting Sickness Less than a month since a case of measles showed up outside of New York City, the number of cases has more than doubled across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On Friday, April 12, the CDC announced that the total number of measles cases in the US in 2024 has reached 121 — far surpassing last year’s number of 58 — with cases being reported in 18 states and jurisdictions, including New York State. The update comes after a Nassau County child under the age of 5 was announced as the state’s first measles case to be reported outside of New York C…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
COVID-19: Omicron Doesn't Attack Lungs As Strongly As Other Variants, Studies Show COVID-19: Omicron Doesn't Attack Lungs As Strongly As Other Variants, Studies Show
Covid-19: Omicron Doesn't Attack Lungs As Strongly As Other Variants, Studies Show Brand-new studies are suggesting why the highly contagious COVID-19 strain Omicron is not as severe as other variants of the virus. Omicron is milder because it doesn't attack the lungs as strongly as other variants, according to the studies. Omicron produced less damaging infections, often limited largely to the upper airway - the nose, throat, and windpipe - in testing conducted on mice and hamsters, The New York Times reports. “The variant did much less harm to the lungs, where previous variants would often cause scarring and serious breathing difficulty," the report says. The findings…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Pfizer Boasts Vaccine Candidate That's More Than 90% Effective COVID-19: Pfizer Boasts Vaccine Candidate That's More Than 90% Effective
Covid-19: Pfizer Boasts Vaccine Candidate That's More Than 90% Effective More reliable than the flu shot? Pfizer on Monday trumpeted a COVID-19 vaccine candidate as more than 90% effective – nearly three times better than the effectiveness of last season’s influenza vaccine. Pfizer said it hopes to have 50 million doses of the free vaccine ready by the end of this year and as many as 1.3 billion doses available next year to fight the deadly global pandemic. Two doses per person of BNT162b2 would be necessary, said the Manhattan-based drug maker, which teamed up with BioNTech of Germany to develop the booster. Pfizer plans to ask the federal Food and Drug Admini…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Drop In Child Vaccinations During Pandemic Sparks Concerns Over New Outbreaks COVID-19: Drop In Child Vaccinations During Pandemic Sparks Concerns Over New Outbreaks
Covid-19: Drop In Child Vaccinations During Pandemic Sparks Concerns Over New Outbreaks With parents avoiding their children’s doctor visits amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, early childhood immunization rates have precipitously dropped, sparking new healthcare concerns. Healthcare professionals are reporting that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, pediatric immunizations are dropping for illnesses such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough. PCC, a pediatric electronic health records company, gathered vaccine information from 1,000 independent pediatricians nationwide, which showed that immunizations are down nearly 75 percent for some illnesses. Using th…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
International Traveler With Measles May Have Exposed Area Residents International Traveler With Measles May Have Exposed Area Residents
International Traveler With Measles May Have Exposed Area Residents After recently announcing an end to the measles outbreak in Rockland County, an international traveler who has been confirmed to have measles visited a temple in Monsey, potentially exposing others to the disease. County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said the infected person visited Congregation Khal Torath Viznitz in Monsey on Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21. Ruppert warned that anyone who visited Congregation Khal Torath Viznitz during the following times may have been exposed to measles: Friday, Sept. 20, from 9 to 10 p.m., with a risk of exposure until…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Exposure Sites Identified After Measles Case Confirmed In Putnam Exposure Sites Identified After Measles Case Confirmed In Putnam
Exposure Sites Identified After Measles Case Confirmed In Putnam A positive case of measles has been confirmed in Putnam and possible exposure sites have been identified. The county's Department of Health made the announcement on Monday, Oct. 1. "The patient has been isolated to avoid spreading the disease further," the department said in a statement.  Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that can be spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. In rare cases it can be deadly. “Keep in mind that this is currently one case of measles,” reassures County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “Please support the efforts of the health department as t…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Measles Outbreak Declared Over In Rockland Measles Outbreak Declared Over In Rockland
Measles Outbreak Declared Over In Rockland After working for almost a year to put an end to an outbreak of measles in Rockland County that sickened 312 residents, the outbreak has officially been declared over.  Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert will make the announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the day that marks the 42nd day that no new measles cases have been reported. Since the outbreak began on Oct. 1, 2018, there have been 312 reported cases of measles in the county. The Health Department with community partners such as Refuah Health Center, private pediatr…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Day Declines To Renew Rockland's State Of Emergency For Measles Day Declines To Renew Rockland's State Of Emergency For Measles
Day Declines To Renew Rockland's State Of Emergency For Measles Rockland County Executive Ed Day announced that he will not renew the state of emergency order enacted earlier this year in an effort to stem the rise of measles cases during the 10-month outbreak.  The state of emergency, which expires at midnight Wednesday, July 25 was declared on March 25 and has since been renewed three times.  The order, which banned unvaccinated and exposed people from public spaces, was a "last straw" effort to contain the continually growing number of measles cases in the county which began with visitors to and from Israel in October 2018. Since then…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New Round Of Measles Vaccination Clinics Scheduled In Rockland New Round Of Measles Vaccination Clinics Scheduled In Rockland
New Round Of Measles Vaccination Clinics Scheduled In Rockland With 282 confirmed cases of measles in Rockland County since the outbreak began in October 2018, county health officials have announced another round of free vaccine clinics in August. Free MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines are available at the Rockland County Department of Health, Building A, second-floor clinic area, located at 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona at the following dates and times during the month of August. No appointments are needed. Mondays and Tuesdays: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For an evening appointment call 845-364-2534. "Being…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
55 Families File Class Action Lawsuit To Repeal NY's Religious Exemption Ban On Vaccines 55 Families File Class Action Lawsuit To Repeal NY's Religious Exemption Ban On Vaccines
55 Families File Class Action Lawsuit To Repeal NY's Religious Exemption Ban On Vaccines Fifty-five families are suing the state in Supreme Court challenging a new law that repeals the religious exemption for vaccinations. Attorneys Michael H. Sussman and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., filed the suit on Wednesday, July 10, stating the plaintiffs, held lawful religious exemptions, and requested that the court repeal the measure. the suit said. The suit claims the families can no longer educate their children or send them to camps as a result of the law. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Contributed “To deprive families of the rights to freedom of religious expression, parental rights, and the r…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New Rockland Measles Exposure Site Announced New Rockland Measles Exposure Site Announced
New Rockland Measles Exposure Site Announced With the continue measles outbreak in Rockland County, health officials announced a new measles exposure site in the Monsey area. Officials said on Friday, July 12 there is a chance of exposure to anyone who visited the Auction Mart (Appliance), located at 75 Route 59, Monsey, on Friday, July 5, from 11  a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with a risk of the exposure until 1:30 p.m. These times reflect the period that the infected individuals were in this area and a two-hour period after they left the area because the virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.  As of Thur…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Rockland Renews Measles State Of Emergency Rockland Renews Measles State Of Emergency
Rockland Renews Measles State Of Emergency With the number of measles cases still rising, Rockland County has renewed its state of emergency that was set to expire on Monday, June 24, in an effort to wipe out the disease in the area. County Executive Ed Day said the fourth state of emergency which will take effect at midnight on Tuesday, June 25.  Since the state of emergency was declared the county has provided 6,800 MMR vaccinations, bringing the total given since October 2018 to 23,758, Day added. Currently, there are 275 cases of confirmed measles since the outbreak began last October.  “We are making progress a…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New Rockland Measles Exposure Site Announced New Rockland Measles Exposure Site Announced
New Rockland Measles Exposure Site Announced As the number of measles cases continues to grow with 262 confirmed cases in Rockland County, health officials are warning residents of a measles exposure site after an infected person visited the location. The infected person visited the Pharmacy Plus, at 728 N. Main Street, Spring Valley on Tuesday, May 28 from 1 to 2 p.m., with a risk of the exposure until 4 p.m. These times reflect the period that the infected individuals were in this area and a two-hour period after they left the area because the virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.  If you were pres…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Carlucci Bill Aims To Keep Children Safe From Measles At Summer Camp Carlucci Bill Aims To Keep Children Safe From Measles At Summer Camp
Carlucci Bill Aims To Keep Children Safe From Measles At Summer Camp With a few days left in the state legislative session, Sen. David Carlucci of New City, whose district includes Rockland and parts of Northern Westchester, is seeking to ensure that children attending summer camp will be safe from the measles and other contagious diseases.  Many parents have no idea that these camps do not have to submit vaccination records to the state. On Thursday, June 6, Carlucci held an Albany press conference to call for the passage of a new bill to close loopholes in state law that allow about 10,000 unregulated camps to operate without vaccination records. In …

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by Jon Craig
News
12 New Rockland Exposure Sites For Measles Released 12 New Rockland Exposure Sites For Measles Released
12 New Rockland Exposure Sites For Measles Released With the Rockland County measles outbreak continuing to grow with 247 confirmed cases of measles since the outbreak began, officials are announcing 12 new possible exposure sites for residents to be aware of. Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed to measles: Satmar of Monsey, located at 1 Monsey Blvd, Monsey, from Monday, May 6 through Tuesday, May 14 with an ongoing risk of exposure. Congregation Yetev Lev of Satmar, located at 13 Monsey Blvd., Monsey, from Monday, May 6 through Tuesday, May 14 with an ongoing risk of exposure. Rockland Kosher Supermarket, …

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Day Asks Trump For Order Requiring Visitors From Other Countries Present Proof Of Immunization Day Asks Trump For Order Requiring Visitors From Other Countries Present Proof Of Immunization
Day Asks Trump For Order Requiring Visitors From Other Countries Present Proof Of Immunization As the measles outbreak continues to rage across Rockland County, Ed Day, the county executive, has written to President Donal Trump requesting that all foreign visitors be required to be fully immunized before entering the country.  Since October of last year when seven infected travelers from Israel visited Rockland County there have been 233 cases of measles reported. Day said the request only makes sense in his effort to stop the spread of the disease. The seven people were the flashpoint for Rockland’s outbreak which has led to multiple hospitalizations in intensive care units and…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Amid Measles Outbreak, Vaccination Bill Stalls In State Assembly Amid Measles Outbreak, Vaccination Bill Stalls In State Assembly
Amid Measles Outbreak, Vaccination Bill Stalls In State Assembly Despite a record-breaking measles outbreak legislation to eliminate religious vaccine exemptions has stalled, drawing hundreds to the New York State Capitol in Albany to rally against the bill. New York remains one of the hardest hit with the measles outbreak - namely in Rockland County - prompting state lawmakers to propose a bill that would bar parents from not vaccinating their children. That legislation has come under heavy scrutiny from parents and advocates who believe that vaccinations can have unintended consequences for children, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was at the for…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Family Feud? Kennedys Blast RFK Jr. Over His View On Vaccines Family Feud? Kennedys Blast RFK Jr. Over His View On Vaccines
Family Feud? Kennedys Blast RFK Jr. Over His View On Vaccines Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been taken to task by three members of his famous family for his views on vaccines, which have been debunked by health officials. Although the country is mired in one of the worst measles outbreaks in years, Kennedy, a former Bedford resident, has been known to spread conspiracy theories about vaccines causing autism and other impairments on social media, prompting his family to respond in an essay posted on Politico. The World Health Organization has reported a 300 percent increase in the number of measles cases around the world as compared to this time last year,…

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by Zak Failla
News
Seven New Measles Exposure Sites In Rockland Released Seven New Measles Exposure Sites In Rockland Released
Seven New Measles Exposure Sites In Rockland Released Rockland County officials announced seven new possible measles exposure sites -- six locations and one taxi service -- in Nanuet and Monsey. There were 224 confirmed cases of measles since the outbreak began last year as of Thursday, May 9. Anyone who visited any of the following locations or used the following taxis may have been exposed to measles.  The potential exposure areas are: Home Depot - Nanuet, 43 Hutton Ave., May 3 between 4 and 5:45 p.m., with a risk of exposure to measles until 7:45 p.m. Maple Pharmacy - Monsey, 59 Route 59, on April 28 from 7 to 8 p.m, with a risk of …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Number Of Measles Cases In Rockland Increases Again Number Of Measles Cases In Rockland Increases Again
Number Of Measles Cases In Rockland Increases Again As the number of measles cases raises again to 225 confirmed cases in Rockland County since the outbreak began last year, health officials are urging residents to receive a free vaccine. A free MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, on Friday, May 17, for anyone six months and older at the Christ Episcopal Church, located at 65 Washington Ave., in Suffern. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth; 90 percent of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus become infected. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with m…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New State Of Emergency Issued By County Exec Ed Day Amid Measles Outbreak In Rockland New State Of Emergency Issued By County Exec Ed Day Amid Measles Outbreak In Rockland
New State Of Emergency Issued By County Exec Ed Day Amid Measles Outbreak In Rockland A new state of emergency has been issued in Rockland County as the number of measles cases tops 200 since the outbreak began last year. County Executive Ed Day issued the second declaration which renews the original declaration that was due to expire at 11:59 p.m., Thursday, April 25. The renewed state of emergency takes effect midnight, Friday, April 26, and runs through Saturday, May 25. “Over the last 30 days since my original declaration we have lost the one thing we couldn’t afford to lose, valuable time," said Day. "With nearly 50 new confirmed cases in less than a month what we predi…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
681 Measles Cases In 22 States Breaks Record 681 Measles Cases In 22 States Breaks Record
681 Measles Cases In 22 States Breaks Record The measles outbreak that has spread throughout the nation has reached the highest level in 25 years, officials announced this week. In total, there have been 681 measles cases reported in 22 states this year, according to health officials. Between Jan. 1 and Monday, April 21, the Centers for Disease Control said that there have been 626 individual cases confirmed, an increase of 71 in the past week. The CDC said that this is the second-highest number of cases reported since measles was eliminated in 2000, second only to 667 cases that were reported in 2014. In the coming weeks, health offi…

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by Zak Failla
News
Measles Outbreak Prompts Good Samaritan Hospital To Ban Children From Visiting Measles Outbreak Prompts Good Samaritan Hospital To Ban Children From Visiting
Measles Outbreak Prompts Good Samaritan Hospital To Ban Children From Visiting With the number of measles cases in Rockland at 199 and counting, one hospital in the county has changed its visitor policy to ban children under the age of 18. Officials at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern said that any children under the age of 18, regardless of their vaccination history, are prevented from visiting the hospital, unless it's for treatment. "Due to the continuing measles outbreak in Rockland County, all visitors under the age of 18 are restricted from entering Good Samaritan Hospital," said Helen Guss, director of communications. "These restrictions were implemented beca…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Did You Get A Measles Vaccination As A Child? You Now May Need A Booster Shot Did You Get A Measles Vaccination As A Child? You Now May Need A Booster Shot
Did You Get A Measles Vaccination As A Child? You Now May Need A Booster Shot With the measles continuing to spread throughout the region, health officials are warning that some adults who received their shots decades ago may be in need of a booster. Nationwide, there have been 555 confirmed cases of measles reported in 20 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marking the second worst year since the virus was eliminated in 2000. CNBC reported that if someone born between 1967 and 1991 - when the vaccine was improved and a booster shot was introduced - has approximately a 90 percent chance of being protected. Those born after 1991 have a…

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by Zak Failla
News
New Public Places Exclusion Order Issued In Rockland Amid Measles Outbreak New Public Places Exclusion Order Issued In Rockland Amid Measles Outbreak
New Public Places Exclusion Order Issued In Rockland Amid Measles Outbreak With 186 confirmed cases of measles in Rockland County, officials announced new mandates for anyone with measles under a "Communicable Disease and Exposure Exclusion Order." The new mandates, announced Tuesday, April 16, replace the county's State of Emergency that was shot down by a state Supreme Court judge. They require anyone with measles and those who have been exposed to measles to be excluded from indoor and outdoor places of public assembly located in Rockland County. Those who do not comply will face a $2,000 fine, per violation, per day, said Rockland County Commissione…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
90 New Measles Cases Reported This Week Nationally, CDC Says 90 New Measles Cases Reported This Week Nationally, CDC Says
90 New Measles Cases Reported This Week Nationally, CDC Says The measles outbreak is on course to be the worst in decades with 90 more cases reported nationally in the past week - the largest jump of the year - according to new numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between Jan. 1 and April 11 this year, there have been 555 individual cases of measles confirmed in 20 states, the second highest total reported in the country since measles was eliminated as an endemic disease in 2000. The World Health Organization reported this week that there were more than 110,000 measles cases worldwide in the first three months of 2019, an…

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by Zak Failla
News
Updated: Six New Exposure Sites Announced As Rockland Measles Cases Top 180 Updated: Six New Exposure Sites Announced As Rockland Measles Cases Top 180
Updated: Six New Exposure Sites Announced As Rockland Measles Cases Top 180 This story has been updated. With a jump of seven cases of measles in one day for a total of 180 cases, Rockland County officials announced Thursday, April 11, six new possible exposure sites residents should take note of. Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said that although there are six new exposure sites, residents should remember to be vaccinated because due to the county's small geographic size, exposure may occur anywhere.  The new exposure sites include:  April 4: 1:44 p.m. to 3:46 p.m., Spring Valley Drug Pharmacy,180 E. Central Ave., Spring Valley. Apri…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Visitors To Woodbury Common May Have Been Exposed To Measles Visitors To Woodbury Common May Have Been Exposed To Measles
Visitors To Woodbury Common May Have Been Exposed To Measles Recent visitors to Woodbury Common may have been exposed to the measles after a New York City resident with a confirmed case of measles visited the mega shopping area, according to the Orange County Health Department. The infected person visited the shopping area between the hours of 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, the department said in a news release. Areas the person visited included Nike Factory Store and Sayki Men’s Fashion Store, they added. Anyone who visited the property outside of this timeframe is not at risk from this particular exposure, the department said.  Shoppers wh…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Day Challenges Judge's Restraining Order On Measles State Of Emergency Day Challenges Judge's Restraining Order On Measles State Of Emergency
Day Challenges Judge's Restraining Order On Measles State Of Emergency Rockland County Executive Ed Day is challenging a restraining order issued by a state Supreme Court judge against Rockland's measles state of emergency. “I absolutely do not agree with the judge’s opinion that this measles crisis does not rise to the level of an emergency, when, in fact, we are facing the longest lasting current outbreak in the nation, and the largest outbreak in New York State in 30 years,” said Day. Day and Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach have sent a letter to the judge that says the judge’s order, as written, has been interpreted by some to mean that students may…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
State Supreme Court Judge Rules Against Rockland County Measles State Of Emergency State Supreme Court Judge Rules Against Rockland County Measles State Of Emergency
State Supreme Court Judge Rules Against Rockland County Measles State Of Emergency A State Supreme Court judge has ruled against Rockland County's state of emergency order banning people under the age of 18 who have not received a measles vaccine from public places. Rockland County Executive Ed Day instituted the ban last month after more than 160 measles cases were confirmed to be infected with the virus. Since the state of emergency, another six people have been confirmed to be carrying the disease for a total of 167 cases. The suit against the state of emergency was brought by civil rights lawyer Michael Sussman on behalf of parents of unvaccinated students at Gree…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
42 Exposed To Measles At Nyack Hospital, Officials Say 42 Exposed To Measles At Nyack Hospital, Officials Say
42 Exposed To Measles At Nyack Hospital, Officials Say Rockland County officials announced during a measles vaccine clinic that 42 people had recently been exposed to the measles virus at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. The exposure included 11 children, four pregnant women and 20 people with unknown vaccination status, said Rockland County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert outside of the clinic on Friday, April 5. She added that another seven people exposed were born before 1957. Related story: State Supreme Court Judge Rules Against Rockland County Measles State Of Emergency "Nyack has done an outstanding…

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by Kathy Reakes