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Rockland County Department of Health

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West Nile Virus Detected In Hudson Valley County West Nile Virus Detected In Hudson Valley County
West Nile Virus Detected In Hudson Valley County Health officials in a Hudson Valley county warn residents to protect themselves after a group of mosquitoes tested positive for the West Nile Virus. The group was detected on Monday, June 17, in Rockland County in the town of Orangetown, according to the Rockland County Department of Health.  So far this year, 33 groups have been submitted for testing. No human cases have been reported this season, and Rockland's last reported human case was in 2023. "This time of year is when we see a rise in West Nile Virus activity, and this positive mosquito pool confirms that," said Amy Isen…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Rockland DA Serves Search Warrant At Hi-Tor Animal Shelter Rockland DA Serves Search Warrant At Hi-Tor Animal Shelter
Rockland DA Serves Search Warrant At Hi-Tor Animal Shelter The Rockland County District Attorney's office has executed a search warrant at Hi-Tor Animal Shelter. The warrant search began around 8 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the shelter located in Pomona.  Officers could be seen going in and out of the shelter trailer throughout the morning but officials with the Rockland County DA's office have not released any information. Rockland County Executive Ed Day said that although Hi-Tor Animal Care Center is a contracted agency it is not part of the Rockland County government. The organization performs vital services of animal shelter and car…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Exposure At Area Church COVID-19: Alert Issued For Exposure At Area Church
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Exposure At Area Church Attendees at two separate Sunday masses at a Rockland County church may have been exposed to COVID-19, health officials are cautioning. Upwards of 225 people who attended the 10:15 a.m. and noon masses at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack on Sunday, Nov. 8 potentially may have been advised to contact the Rockland County Department of Health after a staff member at the church tested positive for the virus. Once health officials are notified of possible exposures, they will begin to contact trace and advise anyone who was near the infected parties to self-quarantine. Officials said …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Hudson Valley School District Switches To Remote Learning After Positive Test COVID-19: Hudson Valley School District Switches To Remote Learning After Positive Test
Covid-19: Hudson Valley School District Switches To Remote Learning After Positive Test Another school district in the Hudson Valley has been forced to transition to its remote learning contingency plan after a student tested positive for COVID-19 and forced a staffing shortage. Pearl River High School Superintendent Michael Murphy announced that they were notified that a student tested positive for the virus this week, forcing the school to make adjustments to avoid spreading COVID-19. According to Murphy, the high school administration worked with the Rockland County Department of Health to determine who may have been exposed, and those students and staffers will be quaranti…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Exposure At Area Church COVID-19: Alert Issued For Exposure At Area Church
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Exposure At Area Church An alert has been issued for potential exposure to COVID-19 for those who visited a church in the area. The Rockland County Department of Health said it has been notified that a person who tested positive for COVID-19 attended three separate Spanish language masses at the Gracepoint Gospel Fellowship Church, located at 384 New Hempstead Road in New City, during the person's infectious period. Anyone who attended the following masses should contact the Rockland County Department of Health to determine if they should quarantine: Friday, Sept. 18 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 fro…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: High School In Hudson Valley Closes After Positive Test COVID-19: High School In Hudson Valley Closes After Positive Test
Covid-19: High School In Hudson Valley Closes After Positive Test A high school in the Hudson Valley has temporarily closed after an individual tested positive for COVID-19. The South Orangetown Central School District said it learned of the positive case at Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The individual was in the high school on Monday, Sept. 21 and Tuesday, Sept. 22, the district said. As a result, Tappan Zee High School is closed temporarily on Thursday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 25. Classes will continue remotely as scheduled. School administrators are working collaboratively with the Rockland County Departmen…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Rabies Exposure Warning Issued By Rockland Health Department Rabies Exposure Warning Issued By Rockland Health Department
Rabies Exposure Warning Issued By Rockland Health Department A warning for potential exposure to rabies has been issued by the Rockland County Department of Health. The department is asking anyone in the community who may have any knowledge of a woman and girl who dropped off an 8- to 9-week-old kitten at the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center in Pomona on Friday, June 26. This family may have been exposed to rabies and the family may need to seek immediate medical attention, the department said.  If medical treatment is started soon after rabies exposure, rabies can be prevented.   Without intervention, rabies is a fatal disease.  The …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Number Of Rockland County COVID-19 Cases Dips: Latest Breakdown By Municipalities Number Of Rockland County COVID-19 Cases Dips: Latest Breakdown By Municipalities
Number Of Rockland County Covid-19 Cases Dips: Latest Breakdown By Municipalities Rockland County saw a dip in the number of new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for a total of 11,366 cases. That number represents 110 new cases reported on Sunday, April 26, down from 165 on Saturday, April 25, and 1,000 on Friday, April 24, according to the state Department of Health.  There have been 481 deaths from the virus in the county. A jump of almost 30 over the weekend, the Rockland County Department of Health said. There are currently 218 people hospitalized that are confirmed; and 150 hospitalized cases that are under investigation. A breakdown of cases in Rockland…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Eight Nabbed For Violating Social Distancing Orders COVID-19: Eight Nabbed For Violating Social Distancing Orders
Covid-19: Eight Nabbed For Violating Social Distancing Orders Eight people have been arrested for violating the county and state's social distancing order amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The arrests took place in Rockland County, which has been heavily hit by both COVID-19 cases and fatalities, late on Thursday, April 9, when Ramapo Police were advised of a gathering by a neighbor at 92 North Saddle River Road in Monsey, the Ramapo Police said. A Ramapo officer was already in front of the location and additional Ramapo officers responded to assist.  The initial officer confirmed that state and local orders with respect to gatheri…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Eighth Fatality Reported In Rockland County COVID-19: Eighth Fatality Reported In Rockland County
Covid-19: Eighth Fatality Reported In Rockland County An eighth Rockland County resident has died due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Rockland County Department of Health announced Friday afternoon, March 27. The death occurred on Thursday, March, 26. The person was 71 years old and had other significant health problems, the department said. As of the middle of the afternoon Friday, there are 1,694 reported COVID-19 positive cases in Rockland, according to the department. All non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason, are to be canceled or postponed, according to the office of County Executive Ed Day…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Third Rockland Resident Dies From COVID-19 As Number Of Cases In County Hits 230 Third Rockland Resident Dies From COVID-19 As Number Of Cases In County Hits 230
Third Rockland Resident Dies From Covid-19 As Number Of Cases In County Hits 230 A third Rockland resident has died from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as the number of cases in the county continues to soar. The 85-year-old who died also had other significant health issues, officials said on Friday afternoon, March 20. The first Rockland resident to die from the virus happened on Thursday, March 12 when a 64-year-old Suffern resident became the second New York to die from the virus. The second Rockland resident died on Tuesday, March 17. That person was 60 years old, with other health problems. Those account for all three fatalities in the Hudson Valley relat…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Wedding Venue Fined $2K For Holding Event With 100-Plus People In Area COVID-19: Wedding Venue Fined $2K For Holding Event With 100-Plus People In Area
Covid-19: Wedding Venue Fined $2K For Holding Event With 100-Plus People In Area One Rockland County business has been issued a large fine for hosting a wedding in violation of rules issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Ateres Chaya Surah, located on South Madison Avenue in Spring Valley, will be fined $2,000 for hosting a wedding on Tuesday, March 17, in which more than 100 people attended, said John Lyon, Rockland's director of Strategic Communications. The wedding was shut down by inspectors who are checking venues, including restaurants, bars, etc., as complaints are received to ensure that gatherings of more than …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
New COVID-19 Rockland COVID-19 Cases, Sites Of Exposure ID'd New COVID-19 Rockland COVID-19 Cases, Sites Of Exposure ID'd
New Covid-19 Rockland Covid-19 Cases, Sites Of Exposure ID'd New cases of the novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as new sites of exposure have been identified in Rockland County. There are now a total of 45 positive cases of COVID-19 are now being reported in the county, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced late Wednesday, March 18. That's an increase of 15 cases over the total of 30 reported just before midday on Wednesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Sites For Potential Exposure Anyone who visited the following locations in Rockland County may have been exposed to co…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Six Rockland COVID-19 Cases Cause Order For Hundreds To Self-Quarantine Six Rockland COVID-19 Cases Cause Order For Hundreds To Self-Quarantine
Six Rockland Covid-19 Cases Cause Order For Hundreds To Self-Quarantine As the number of positive cases of the novel coronavirus in Rockland County reaches six, the county's health department is announcing hundreds will need to self-quarantine. All six of the cases are within the town of Ramapo, said Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert. Three of the cases are students from the East Ramapo Central School District who attended Hempstead Elementary, Pomona Middle School and Ramapo High School. The three schools will be closed through March 21 and anyone who spent time in any of the three schools on or afte…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
More COVID-19 Cases Reported In Rockland More COVID-19 Cases Reported In Rockland
More Covid-19 Cases Reported In Rockland Rockland County is up to five confirmed cases of coronavirus, all linked to 50-year-old New Rochelle attorney Lawrence Garbuz, who is patient zero for the virus in the Hudson Valley. The Rockland County Department of Health confirmed this week that there have been at least three more positive tests for COVID-19, more than doubling the number of people who had previously contracted the virus. According to reports, the new cases are believed to be related to two caterers from Rockland who worked a bah mitzvah or wedding in Westchester late last month that Garbuz attended. In response, the Ea…

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by Zak Failla
News
Health Officials Issue Rabies Warning In Rockland Health Officials Issue Rabies Warning In Rockland
Health Officials Issue Rabies Warning In Rockland Health officials are seeking the public’s assistance as they attempt to gather information about a potentially rabid raccoon who may have bit a man over the weekend. The Rockland County Department of Health issued an alert requesting that anyone in the community who has information regarding a man who was bitten by a raccoon in Kakiat Park in Suffern to come forward. According to officials, the incident may have occurred on Saturday, Jan. 11, or Sunday, Jan. 12. The raccoon “could potentially be a rabid animal and the bite victim will need to seek immediate medical attention.” “Unusual beh…

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by Zak Failla
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
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
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
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
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
News
Four New Sites For Measles Exposure In Rockland Announced Four New Sites For Measles Exposure In Rockland Announced
Four New Sites For Measles Exposure In Rockland Announced Rockland County Health Department officials said there are four new sites where residents could have been exposed to measles after being visited by an infected person. Health Commission Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced the locations Friday, March 29, during an updated on the measles outbreak.  Ruppert said anyone who visited the following locations or used the following taxis may have been exposed to the measles virus: Uber that initially traveled to Monsey Hub shopping plaza in Monsey, on Wednesday, March 20, from 1:20 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a risk of exposure until…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Here's The Latest Update On Number Of Rockland Measles Case After State Of Emergency Declared Here's The Latest Update On Number Of Rockland Measles Case After State Of Emergency Declared
Here's The Latest Update On Number Of Rockland Measles Case After State Of Emergency Declared The number of cases of measles in Rockland County has reached 157 confirmed cases, with 10 active cases, Rockland County Health officials announced Friday, March 29. During an update meeting on Friday, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said that 500 vaccinations have been given since a state of emergency was announced on Tuesday, March 26. In all, a total of 17,400 vaccines have been given out since the outbreak began in October, Day said. Day announced the emergency declaration Tuesday, saying he made the decision beca…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Parents Will Be Held Accountable If They Violate Rockland State Of Emergency, County Exec Says Parents Will Be Held Accountable If They Violate Rockland State Of Emergency, County Exec Says
Parents Will Be Held Accountable If They Violate Rockland State Of Emergency, County Exec Says Under Rockland County's new state of emergency addressing the "measles outbreak,"  parents could face a misdemeanor charge and be fined if their unvaccinated child violates the declaration. Under the countywide state of emergency, which went into effect on Wednesday, March 27, anyone who is under 18 years of age and unvaccinated against the measles will be barred from public places until the declaration expires in 30 days or until they receive the MMR vaccination. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says that although police will not be stopping people asking…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Six New Rockland Locations For Measles Exposure Announced As Cases In County Climb Past 150 Six New Rockland Locations For Measles Exposure Announced As Cases In County Climb Past 150
Six New Rockland Locations For Measles Exposure Announced As Cases In County Climb Past 150 Rockland residents are being reminded that the measles outbreak is still underway and that the numbers continue to grow with 151 cases since the outbreak began in October with six new locations of exposure announced. County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert are also warning residents of recent locations that may have been exposed to measles. 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 measles has be…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Number Of Measles Cases Grows Again In Rockland Number Of Measles Cases Grows Again In Rockland
Number Of Measles Cases Grows Again In Rockland One day after a federal court upheld Rockland County's order requiring unvaccinated students to stay home from school in certain areas, the number of cases of measles has jumped again to 146. In addition to the 146 confirmed cases of measles since the outbreak began in October of last year, there are also two suspected cases that the Rockland County Department of Health is continuing to investigate. The outbreak began with visitors to and from Israel in October where more than 2,600 people have reportedly been affected. Since then the number had continued to grow weekly as unvaccinat…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Court Upholds Rockland Ban On Unvaccinated Students Court Upholds Rockland Ban On Unvaccinated Students
Court Upholds Rockland Ban On Unvaccinated Students This story has been updated.A federal judge denied a temporary injunction on Thursday that would have allowed unvaccinated children to return to the Green Meadow Waldorf School, saying the county's "unprecedented measles outbreak," warranted the "stay home" order. A group of parents had sued the Rockland County Department of Health over an order barring unvaccinated students from attending school since the county's measles outbreak.  “We have had success, but this case is not over," said Rockland County Attorney Thomas E. Humbach. "We are thankful that at this juncture we were able to …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Number Of Rockland Measles Cases Increases As Bill Is Introduced Regarding Vaccines Number Of Rockland Measles Cases Increases As Bill Is Introduced Regarding Vaccines
Number Of Rockland Measles Cases Increases As Bill Is Introduced Regarding Vaccines As state legislatures work on a bill that would do away with the state's "religious belief" exemption regarding vaccinations, the number of measles cases in Rockland County has risen to 130 since the outbreak began in October. Across the state, 40 people were diagnosed with measles in January, and there have been at 186 cases since October, with the largest number of cases in Rockland, state health officials said. Officials said, "false fears" of a link to autism, and the religious exemption has allowed the disease to re-emerge when it was once considered eradicated just 18 years …

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by Kathy Reakes