33 Putnam Residents Being Monitored For CoronavirusFree Access



Dr. Michael Nesheiwat encourages attendees not to panic while Dr. Eleanor DeThomas listens. Photo by Eric Gross

Dr. Michael Nesheiwat encourages attendees not to panic while Dr. Eleanor DeThomas listens. Photo by Eric Gross

Updated as of 4 pm Friday: Thirty three residents of Putnam County who either returned from mainland China recently or came into contact with a person testing positive for coronavirus are currently being monitored by the Putnam County Health Department.

Commissioner of Health Dr. Michael Nesheiwat reported Monday: “All of those being monitored are so far asymptomatic.”

In addition, some tests for those who potentially have the virus are outstanding, and results are not yet in.

Meanwhile, County Executive MaryEllen Odell said that while local medical professionals are advising the public not to panic when it comes to coronavirus now being reported in dozens of locations internationally and as close to home as Northern Westchester, Danbury and Rockland counties, and while “none of our residents have tested positive so far, we may develop some cases. Our Health Department has been preparing for this diligently and the public will be kept informed as things change.”

Dr. Nesheiwat said his department continues to work closely with and is preparing alongside the county’s emergency personnel as well as law enforcement and the county’s six school districts to keep them informed about the rapidly changing situation.

And it is changing at high speed.

Over the weekend, Somers School officials informed the community that a parent of an elementary school student tested positive for coronavirus. Other members of the family are now under quarantine. The elementary school located on Route 202 is less than three miles from the Putnam County border.

In Danbury, meanwhile, officials told a Friday news conference that a nurse employed at Danbury Hospital who resides in New York also tested positive for COVID-19 as did a patient at the nearby Connecticut medical facility.

Kerry Eaton, CEO of Nuvance Health, the parent company of not only Danbury Hospital but Putnam Hospital Center as well, said it was believed the employee contracted the disease in New York. The woman is now in Westchester under self-quarantine.

On Sunday, Eaton announced “out of abundance for caution, all Nuvance Health hospitals including Putnam Hospital Center will limit visitors to only two people per patient.” On Monday, the hospital announced that all volunteer services were being canceled until further notice, out of an abundance of caution.

Over the weekend, Governor Cuomo declared a State of Emergency due to the increasing numbers of COVID-19. Dr. Nesheiwat said the “emergency declaration will help us get the money needed to keep residents safe.”

Dr. Nesheiwat noted since COVID-19 is a “new virus the complete clinical picture is not fully understood. Symptoms have ranged from mild to severe with older people and those with underlying medical conditions such as heart and lung disease or diabetes at greater risk of serious illness.”

Putnam Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney coordinated an informational session in Orange County last Friday to discuss the latest developments related to coronavirus.

Maloney urged the public not to panic: “At this point it is almost certainly inevitable. If the federal government continues to get its response rapidly together, both on the resource level and on the informational level, we will be prepared to deal with this and we will get through this together.”

The Cold Spring lawmaker said Congress had just approved the COVID-19 Response Funding Bill that allocates more than $8 billion across the country with $950 million going to states and localities, a portion of which is expected to go to New York.

Last Monday evening, the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services hosted a forum dealing with the deadly outbreak that was attended by some 75 members of the emergency services community as well as school personnel representing districts from both eastern and western Putnam.

Casey Quake, Putnam’s recently appointed EMS Director, described COVID 19 as an “evolving situation with Putnam County in the planning phase. There is no need to panic because coronavirus currently does not exist in Putnam County. The best advice is for all employers to encourage their employees who are under the weather to stay home.”

During an hour-long presentation, Quake stressed the most advantageous way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID 19 is to avoid close contact with people who are sick while avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands: “Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.”

Quake offered several common-sense suggestions to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others: “Stay at home when ill. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then toss the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.”

Putnam’s 9-1-1 dispatchers will now be questioning callers to determine if any signs exist regarding risk factors related to coronavirus.

In the event that COVID 19 was suspected, Quake said first responders would be notified. He suggested in such cases goggles or disposable gear including full face shields be worn by those responding.

In the event of a suspected case of COVID 19, Putnam’s emergency responders will place a surgical mask on the patient who will be admitted to an emergency department at a hospital in a restricted area.

“Keep suspected COVID 19 patients separated from others as much as possible,” said Quake, adding: “EMS must document the listing of providers involved in the response and their level of contact with the patient so follow-up can occur.”

Should an ambulance or rescue rig transport a patient with coronavirus, the emergency vehicle must also be completely decontaminated.

Dr. Nesheiwat also attended the meeting with his counterpart from Putnam Hospital Center.

Dr. Nesheiwat told those in attendance: “Remember to wash your hands for at least 20seconds with warm soapy water several times each day. Stay away from people who are sick and if you are ill, stay at home.”

Dr. Eleanor DeThomas, Putnam Hospital Center liaison between the Emergency Department and the county’s EMS community, said “only go to the ER if you are extremely ill. Check with your doctor first but if symptoms persist and you become short of breath, can’t keep food down or become lethargic, come to the ER.”

Putnam has implemented a “Call Before You Go” plan, advising those ill who believe they may have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19 to call their primary physician prior to visiting the doctor’s office.

Dr. Nesheiwat said the same holds true when visiting an urgent care facility or emergency room at a hospital: “Advise them of any possible risk for Coronovirus exposure and if you phone the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center, the dispatcher should be provided with the same information.”

Dr. DeThomas said in the event a coronavirus patient was treated in the emergency department, the unit would be readied for the individual and completely decontaminated once the patient has been moved.

Dr. Nesheiwat told the audience that flu was more of a concern in Putnam than coronavirus: “If you have not yet received a flu shot, get one today. It’s not too late.”

Currently there is no vaccine to protect against COVID19 with pharmaceutical companies reporting last week such a vaccine was still months away.

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