Dutchess County continues to pursue its initiative to test all nursing home residents in the county this week as four additional facilities completed resident testing and received results. Six additional facilities are in the process of collecting and submitting samples for testing. Officials say results have been encouraging with a minimal number of new COVID-19 cases identified. Results from the four facilities include 50 residents tested at The Grand at Pawling, with nine cases of COVID-19 identified, 59 residents tested at Northern Dutchess Residential Healthcare Facility, with no COVID-19 positive results, 112 residents tested at Wingate Dutchess, with no COVID-19 positive results and 60 residents tested at Sapphire Wappingers Falls, with no COVID-19 positive cases.
Eight of the individuals identified as COVID-19 positive were asymptomatic and identified as a result of the County’s testing initiative and are now being cared for in separate, secure area of the facility. The other individual had begun demonstrating symptoms and had already been isolated from the general population. Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “These latest results from our nursing home resident initiative continue to be encouraging. Local nursing homes are committed to ensuring the health and safety of those in their care 
and we appreciate their cooperation in this initiative. We will continue to work closely with nursing homes throughout Dutchess to help assist them with personal protection equipment (PPE) as well as support resources for staff as they continue to their dedicated work to keep residents healthy and well cared for.”
The Dutchess County Nursing Home Task Force is currently working with the remaining seven facilities for sample collection and testing. Dutchess County has coordinated the delivery of diagnostic test kits and has provided necessary PPE to prevent testing cross contamination. Test sample collection is expected to complete at all nursing home facilities by the end of this month. Behavioral & Community Health Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian said, “We appreciate the cooperation and partnership from the local nursing home facilities. This resident testing initiative provides an extra layer of protection for these vulnerable individuals by identifying any individuals who may not feel ill or be experiencing any symptoms but are positive for COVID-19. These individuals can then be separated for close monitoring and to protect other residents.”
To find the most current information provided by the Dutchess County Government, visit its COVID-19 Community Impact Dashboard, its website dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, or its Coronavirus hotline, (845) 486-3555
Photo courtesy of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Pawling’s Facebook page.