Part of County’s Nursing Home Task Force’s Continuing Work
to Ensure Health & Safety During Pandemic

Poughkeepsie, NY… Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced the County’s Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) will work together with the 13 nursing homes located in Dutchess County to test each nursing home resident to ensure the health and safety of these vulnerable residents.

County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “The health and safety of every Dutchess County resident remains our top priority, and caring for the well-being of our most vulnerable seniors during this pandemic is critical. We have seen the ravaging toll COVID-19 has taken on nursing homes throughout our nation, and we are taking proactive steps to ensure we save lives. We thank the dedicated staff at our local nursing homes for their unwavering dedication to their residents, as well as their willingness to partner with us and make this vital testing program a reality.”

Dutchess County will begin a pilot program with Wingate at Beacon nursing home, as based on Wingate’s resident count, DBCH can provide its limited supplies to them for resident testing. DBCH will provide initial COVID-19 swab tests as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the nursing home staff to perform safe and accurate testing. DBCH will work in consultation with the infection control specialist staff of Wingate at Beacon throughout the testing process.

While there have been limited number of positive COVID-19 cases reported in nursing homes located in Dutchess County to date, recent testing in Ulster County has heightened concerns about potential spread of coronavirus, as 96 out of 330 residents at two Ulster County nursing homes tested positive for COVID-19 – with many of these cases exhibiting no symptoms (asymptomatic) and the individuals had only been in contact with healthy residents and staff members.

To ensure every nursing home resident in Dutchess County is tested, County Executive Molinaro has petitioned New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo for 2,000 tests for the Dutchess County’s Nursing Home Task Force. As the initial pilot gets underway, and as tests are made available from New York State, Dutchess County’s Nursing Home Task Force will collaborate with each of the nursing home facilities’ infection control specialist to plan for each facilities’ specific needs, including providing adequate PPE supplies for staff to ensure there is no cross contamination during testing.

DBCH Commissioner Anil Vaidian said, “Under the direction of County Executive Molinaro, we are aggressively working to accurately analyze the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in our local nursing homes so we can best treat those who are ill and contain its spread. This testing program is just Dutchess County’s latest effort to protect nursing home residents and personnel from this pandemic, and we will continue to provide both guidance and resources to care for our seniors.”

Nursing home safety has been a top priority for Dutchess County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Although nursing homes are under the authority and oversight of the New York State Department of Health, County Executive Molinaro established Dutchess County’s Nursing Home Task Force, under the direction of DBCH, to be in regular contact with nursing home leadership. The Task Force keeps open lines of communications, offers guidance where appropriate, and helps facilities address concerns and emerging issues, convening weekly conference calls with nursing homes. Among the pressing needs has been the provision of PPE supplies to meet heightened New York State Department of Health mandates for nursing homes. Dutchess County has worked closely with the nursing homes, providing isolation suits & gowns, eye protection, N-95 respirators, surgical masks, as well as hand sanitizer.

Staffing has also been a concern for nursing homes. Stress levels and fear for all essential employees remain high and there is always a concern about lack of staff availability should there be large numbers of staff who need to be quarantined. News of deaths in nursing homes in other areas of the state and nation creates anxiety for staff, patients as well as their families.

To help combat the extreme amount of stress this pandemic has placed upon nursing home and residential facility staff, County Executive Molinaro and Deputy Commissioner of DBCH Dr. Jacqueline M. Johnson have mobilized the Dutchess County Trauma Team to provide mental health support. This collaborative team of mental health and substance abuse professionals respond to unpredictable and extreme events in Dutchess County. Led by Dr. Ellen Marx, the team will provide an in-service to nursing home staff to discuss the range of emotions the pandemic causes in general, work-related frustration and anxiety, dealing with grief, the importance of self-care, and much more. Individuals are helped to review their situation, encouraged to express the wide range of emotions traumatic events bring up, and identify strengths and ways to cope.

County Executive Molinaro concluded, “The nursing homes in Dutchess County are working around the clock to provide safe and loving care to their residents. Patient safety is paramount priority. We appreciate their willingness to work with us as we all seek to end this pandemic and protect our most vulnerable.”

Dutchess County Government continues to provide residents the most current information on its COVID-19 Community Impact Dashboard, and further updates and guidance are available on its website, http://www.dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Beginning May 1, the New York State Bridge Authority hikes up toll prices on five local bridges for the first time since 2012.

Even as commuting takes a nosedive while Hudson Valleyites self-isolate at home, the Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff, and Rip Van Winkle Bridges remain heavily trafficked by essential workers journeying from one side of the Hudson to the other.

Starting on May 1, they’ll be the first ones to experience the 10-cent E-ZPass toll increase once it goes into effect at each of the five Hudson River crossings.

According to the New York State Bridge Authority, the rise in toll rates is essential to properly maintain the bridges. A majority of the revenue will finance the re-decking of the north span of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, which is one of the busiest spans in the Hudson Valley.

In addition, the funds will assist with the upkeep of the Walkway Over the Hudson, a hot spot for Hudson Valley residents and tourists alike.

Notably, the 10-cent increase is just the beginning. The full toll revision will be phased in over the next four years, with an additional 10-cent hike every May 1 until 2023. Drivers without an E-ZPass will follow suit with slightly higher toll rates overall. At the end of the four years, E-ZPass drivers will pay $1.65 per bridge crossing, while drivers paying cash will owe $2.15. Check out the new toll schedule here. 

Current rates are $1.25 for E-ZPass and $1.50 for cash. Starting on May 1, rates increase to $1.35 for E-ZPass and $1.75 for cash.

Ninety-seven percent of funding for the five bridges comes from the tolls collected at these crossings. Re-decking the north span of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge will provide local jobs for three years, the New York State Bridge Authority notes.

While the Hudson Valley continues to navigate the coronavirus crisis, the Bridge Authority strongly suggests that anyone who must travel should use E-ZPass or exact change so as to minimize contact and risk of contagion.

Update for Tuesday, April 28, 2020:

• Reusable cloth face coverings are being made available to essential businesses and nonprofit organizations located in Dutchess County. The face coverings are being provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the State of New York, Dutchess County Government, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Dutchess Tourism Inc., and Hudson Cadillac-Buick-GMC. To register to pick up these face coverings, click HERE.
• The Paycheck Protection Program portal was reopened yesterday for lenders to submit applications for businesses. Along with the new FAQ document was put out by the SBA that can be found HERE, guidance has also been issued for lenders who have a large volume of PPP loan applications that can be found HERE.
• In today’s (Tuesday) press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the two warning signs he would watch for to determine if an area needed to be closed back down are the hospital capacity (must have more than 30% free capacity) and transmission rate (must be less than 1.1). Governor Cuomo said he would create “regional control rooms” to track the various metrics to determine how each region is doing. They would also be in charge of monitoring the hospital capacity and transmission rate.
• By the end of the week, Governor Cuomo will decide on if he will reopen schools for the remainder of the year. We will include information on this as it is made available.
• Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, said during today’s press conference that the state is looking into extending the 90 moratorium on foreclosures or evictions. This is the first press conference where an extension was discussed with reporters.
• Clarification has been issued that confirms farms can be eligible for SBA loans if they meet the employee and revenue requirements for the loan program they are applying for. That clarification can be found HERE.
• The state will be sending $25 million in financial aid to food banks across the state. If you are interested in finding a way to help food banks in the state, you can email COVIDPhilanthropies@exec.ny.gov.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

If you were forwarded this email, but would like to be added to the email list, please let us know by emailing contact@DutchessBNN.com

Update for Monday, April 27, 2020:

• The Paycheck Protection Program portal was opened up earlier today for lenders to submit applications for businesses. Along with the reopening of the portal, a new FAQ document was put out by the SBA that can be found HERE.
• In Monday’s press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he would extend the NY PAUSE order past May 15th for some parts of the state, but not all of it.
• Governor Cuomo announced over the weekend the state would open in a regional and phased approach. It is unlikely Dutchess County will reopen with the first group. Phase One will allow construction and low risk manufacturing to open, with a two week minimum before Phase Two can take place. Phase Two will analyze a business’ priority and risk level of reopening before determining if they can reopen. For more information, click HERE.
• Businesses should begin to prepare plans that include new measures to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer, and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. This plan will be required to reopen according to Governor Cuomo.
• Businesses or attractions that may bring tourists or large numbers of people who are not from the local area will remain closed.
• Guidelines and instructions have been put out by the State regarding how essential workers can received a “scholarship” for child care. To be eligible you must be listed as an essential worked by Empire State Development, and have an income below 300% the federal poverty limit. For more information on the program, click HERE.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released a one-page summary of the new CARES Act legislation that was signed into law on Friday. It can be found HERE.
• The SBA Upstate NY District Office has scheduled a webinar for 1pm on Tuesday, 4/28 to cover updates to the Paycheck Protection Program and SBA’s Covid-19 relief efforts for small businesses. To watch the webinar, click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time

This is Mayor Lee Kyriacou with a local Beacon update.

Regarding active COVID-19 cases there are 2,129 in Dutchess County and 117 in Beacon. 

You may have heard Governor Cuomo and County Executive Molinaro discussing plans to begin slowly opening up. There are no details at this time, but as they come you can be sure that we will get that information to you. For now, keep up the social distancing. 

Stay safe, stay well, be kind to one another.

Mayor Kyriacou

The groceries are coming to Beacon again this Wednesday, April 29th. There will be free boxes of groceries available for pick up for anyone experiencing financial hardship.

Pickup Locations;

*At Rombout Middle School from 10:00-11:00am

*At South Avenue Elementary school from 10:00-11:00am for pedestrians only–no car pickups please

 ​

This food is brought to you by the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley with the support of; Beacon City School District, Common Ground Farm, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Green Teen Program, Land to Learn, City of Beacon, and Mutual Aid Beacon.​​

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS) clients, such as those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Home Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) and Medicaid, can now access New York State’s mobile application, NYDocSubmit, to quickly and simply scan required documents, and submit that documentation to DCFS staff from the safety of their home during the current Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The NYDocSubmit app, available for free download via the Apple App Store and Google Play, allows DCFS clients to utilize their iPhone or Android phone to take a photo of their document, enter their identifying information and securely upload the documentation to the County. More information is available on the DCFS website.

During the pandemic, every Dutchess County Government department, including DCFS, continue to serve residents, primarily through phone and email contact to adhere to federal social distancing guidelines. Use of the NYDocSubmit app is another option for DCFS clients to comply with such related pandemic-related protocols.

County Executive Molinaro said, “Though Coronavirus/COVID-19 first touched our community more than a month ago, Dutchess County Government remains open for business. While we may have limited our in-person interactions with residents, the vital services, including those provided by our Department of Community and Family Services, are still being fulfilled at the high level residents come to expect from us. The addition of the NYDocSubmit app is another great tool for Dutchess County residents to easily submit their documents to DCFS and facilitate the benefit process. I urge all DCFS clients to utilize the new app, as Dutchess County Government remains ready to serve.”

A NY.gov ID is required to use the NYDocSubmit app. Residents who do not have a NY.gov ID can create one my.ny.gov, which can also be used to request help to reset a password.

In addition to the aforementioned programs administered by DCFS, residents can also use the NYDocSubmit app to send pictures of documents for proof of: 

• Age/Identity;
• Citizenship or Current Alien Status;
• Income;
• Medical Documentation;
• Household members;
• Residence;
• Resources;
• Shelter/Utility Expenses; and 
• Social Security Number (SSN) or proof application for a SSN.

Residents can also use the NYDocSubmit app to submit documents related to a change in their household circumstances that must report to DCFS. Documents containing sensitive information, such as HIV status, domestic violence information or confidential addresses, should be submitted to DCFS via postal mail or fax. Residents will receive a confirmation page will appear in the NYDocSubmit app if the picture of their document was uploaded successfully; this confirmation page will include the name for whom the document was submitted, the document category selected, the date and time of the upload and a tracking number.

Initial applications or recertification applications for any benefits program or to submit a periodic report cannot be submitted through the NYDocSubmit app. Residents must visit myBenefits.ny.gov to apply online for SNAP and HEAP, or to check if they are able to get help from multiple human services programs; they can also contact DCFS directly at DCFSinfo@dutchessny.gov  for information on filing an application for TA, SNAP, HEAP or Medicaid. Residents can upload pictures of documents for other household members, as well as individuals living outside their household.

Clients in receipt of SNAP, whose employment has been affected – either because they are currently unemployed or are experiencing a decrease in hours worked due to the pandemic – should report these to changes to DCFS as soon as possible as it may affect their SNAP benefit amount.

The NYDocSubmit app is not monitored for emergencies, and residents must call DCFS at (845) 486-3000 to request help with an emergency situation.

www.dutchessNY.gov