'Targeted clusters' reported in Rockland, Orange counties

Posted on 9/24/2020, Updated 10/6/2020 by niki@hvny.info

“Targeted clusters” of the coronavirus are popping up in the Hudson Valley’s Rockland and Orange counties, as well as areas of Brooklyn and Queens.

On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo announced New York State’s new Cluster Action Initiative to contain areas where the COVID-19 infection rate is increasing, and set-up precautionary areas outside those zones to monitor the spread of the virus. Both Rockland and Orange counties have “intense clusters” as well as precautionary zones around those clusters.

Orange County (One Area, Red and Yellow) - Click Here for Map
Rockland County (One Area, Red and Yellow) - Click Here for Map

The restrictions for these cluster areas will go into effect “as soon as tomorrow” and no later than Friday, October 9, and will remain in place for a minimum of 14 days. In addition, the fine for hosting a mass gathering has been increased to $15,000.

The current COVID-19 hotspot in Orange County. Image via the Governor’s Office. — The current COVID-19 hotspot in Orange County. *Image via the Governor’s Office.*

The current hotspot in Rockland County. Image courtesy the Governor’s Office. — The current hotspot in Rockland County. *Image courtesy the Governor’s Office.*

Red Zone — Cluster Itself

Houses of Worship: 25 percent capacity, 10 people maximum
Mass Gatherings: Prohibited
Businesses: Only essential businesses open
Dining: Takeout only
Schools: Closed, remote only

Orange Zone — Warning Zone

Houses of Worship: 33 percent capacity, 25 people maximum
Mass Gatherings: 10 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
Businesses: Closing high-risk non-essential businesses, such as gyms and personal care
Dining: Outdoor dining only, 4 person maximum per table
Schools: Closed, remote only

Yellow Zone — Precautionary Zone

Houses of Worship: 50 percent capacity
Mass Gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
Businesses: Open
Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining, 4 person maximum per table
Schools: Open with mandatory weekly testing of students and teachers/staff for in-person settings. The New York State Department of Health will establish a percentage of teachers and students/staff who need to be tested by Friday.

Last week, the state deployed 200 rapid testing machines to ten zip codes where cases are rising. The Mid-Hudson Valley region’s positive rate is currently at 2.5%, 1.4% statewide.

Gov. Cuomo said there was a “large overlap” of cases in these areas with the Orthodox Jewish community. He is planning to meet with religious leaders to press compliance issues stressing, “Public health comes first.”

Sources: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-deploys-rapid-result-testing-machines-address-recent-uptick-cases-cluster-zip

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-new-cluster-action-initiative