POUGHKEEPSIE – Voters that cast their ballots at the East Fishkill Community Center located at 890 Route 82 in Hopewell Junction are being encouraged to get tested for the Coronavirus because a poll worker at the site has tested positive.
Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian announced the recommendation on Thursday. According to county officials, the individual had been following all precautionary steps including mask-wearing, hand-sanitizing, physical-distancing, and was not experiencing any symptoms. Dr. Vaidian said that as a result of the worker’s precautions, “risk to voters is minimal.”
However, voters and any others who visited the site, on Election Day are advised to monitor for symptoms and seek testing as a precautionary measure. Individuals can also contact the Dutchess County Coronavirus Hotline at (845) 486-3555.
The health department’s Rapid Response Team is working with the individual and the Dutchess County Board of Elections for a complete investigation and contact tracing. Other poll workers who had sustained contact with the individual are being quarantined and will be tested under health and safety guidelines and protocols. The Town of East Fishkill had undertaken appropriate cleaning and disinfection as the Board of Elections closed the polling site on Tuesday evening.
“We urge anyone who voted at the East Fishkill Community Center on November 3rdto be aware and alert for possible symptoms,” said Commissioner Dr. Vaidian. “We encourage you to be tested as a precaution. This is an important reminder that the virus is still present in our community and we must continue to take necessary mitigation steps to keep our community safe – including wearing a face covering, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.”
Symptoms of Coronavirus, which may appear 2-14 days after exposure, include:
Fever
Coughing
Shortness of breath/trouble breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Testing is widely available and information about the nearest testing locations is available at https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Collection-Sites-for-Testing-in-Dutchess-County.htm.
Residents can protect themselves from COVID-19/coronavirus, with basic actions including:
Wear face covering when in public
Wash their hands regularly with soap and water; spend 20 seconds thoroughly scrubbing hands
Practice physical distancing –maintaining 6 feet between themselves and others
Stay home when they are sick – rest, recover and help prevent the spread of virus and disease
For additional information about COVID-19, please visit:
www.dutchessny.gov/coronavirus
Dutchess County’s Coronavirus Hotline: 845-486-3555
New York State Coronavirus Information Hotline: 888-364-3065
NEWS STORY PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com