Faced with fines of $ 2,000 a day, eight people connected to a COVID-19 group in Clarkstown cooperated with contact trackers seeking to stop the spread of the outbreak.
The citations were sent out Wednesday afternoon after the Rockland County Health Department met resistance from people who attended a West Nyack party that was the first in a series of meetings that were the source of nine cases of coronavirus.
Six of the people had responded at the end of the day and two others on Thursday. All eight had been to the party where the group started. No fines were issued, county spokesman John Lyon said.
“It’s amazing how smart some people got” after the subpoenas were issued, Rockland County executive Ed Day said during an interview on CNN Thursday afternoon.
Contact trackers now track to locate anyone else who has been exposed.
CORONAVIRUS: Rockland rushes to contain Clarkstown COVID-19 cluster after party
The nine people in their early 20s tested positive in an outbreak that started at a large party on June 17 in West Nyack organized by a person who was already experiencing symptoms. Then came parties in New City on June 20 and 27, according to the health department.
None of those infected has been hospitalized, but Rockland Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert had no comment on the severity of their symptoms.
‘You don’t want to be punitive’
When asked why people initially refused to cooperate with health workers, Ruppert told CNN on Thursday that people “don’t want to respond to the government” and “don’t understand the importance” of health information.
“We try to be understanding,” said Ruppert. “We try to understand where they come from.”
But, Ruppert said, the county would collapse. “It gets to the point where we have to do what we have to do for public health.”
Ruppert said punctuality in contact tracing is “paramount.” People can transmit the virus 48 hours before showing symptoms, Ruppert said, so those who are exposed need to know.
There are valid reasons why we need this information, “Ruppert said on CNN.” We do not seek to be punitive in any respect, we seek to protect people. “
County officials said Wednesday that some of the people related to the three meetings were considering violating quarantine orders and celebrating their own parties or attending others over the holiday weekend.
“If the health department calls, answer the phone,” Ruppert said Wednesday. “I’m especially talking to younger adults now. Your help in our case investigations can make the difference between the life and death of loved ones.”
Rockland County Legislature President Alden H. Wolfe said it “defies common sense to attend big crowded parties,” adding to ignore calls from contact trackers after a diagnosis has been made. it is “reckless and dangerous”.
‘No Peak in Clarkstown’
Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann said his police department had not responded to a medical call involving a coronavirus patient for 11 days, indicating that the cases were not trending upward.
“The numbers do not indicate any increase in Clarkstown,” said Hoehmann. “We constantly see one or two up-to-date positives from data being shared with the city from the health department.”
Hoehmann added: “While the numbers are significantly lower, there is a tendency for people to think that the crisis is over and it is not … If you are going to have a meeting, you must follow the guidelines” that impose a 25 Limit of person.
The supervisor also complained that the health department had not been providing directions and information to the city regarding the June holidays.
“We were told that several people will have parties this weekend,” said Hoehmann. “(The county) needs to share it with the city so that we can comply.”
Hoehmann is urging that city residents continue to comply and take precautions. He said the Clarkstown police would respond to any instance of large gatherings that do not comply with mandates of social distancing.
Robert Brum is a Rockland County reporter and editor. For Rockland County subscriber-only news, visit Offers.lohud.com to subscribe. To subscribe to The Rockland Angle, an exclusive nightly email newsletter for Rockland County news, features, and other essential information, visit lohud.com/newsletters, check the Rockland Angle box, and submit your email address.
Twitter: @Bee_bob
