Cuomo Vows Aggressive Enforcement In Coronavirus Hot Spots

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — New York state officials on Monday began aggressive enforcement of pandemic protocols in the hot spots where the coronavirus rate is far higher than the state average.

That includes ZIP codes in Orange and Rockland counties — which have by far the highest positive rates in the state — as well as in Brooklyn and Queens. In a news conference Sunday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the top 20 hot spots, home to 6.7 percent of the state's population, had a combined positive rate of 4.8 percent compared to 0.9 for the rest of the state.

As of Friday, Rockland County reported 1,072 active coronavirus cases (confirmed positive tests within the past 14 days), a massive spike from 272 as of Sept. 16.

Orange County, where a 27.6 percent positive rate was reported in its hot spot ZIP code Friday, 48 people were hospitalized with either confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.

The high rate of positive test results is in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Orange, Rockland, Brooklyn and Queens.

Cuomo threatened to close any school where testing has not been done and reported to the state.

"I'm concerned about the lack of testing in the schools," Cuomo said. "If the localities do not do testing immediately in the schools in those areas, the state will close them immediately. We all want schools to reopen IF they can reopen safely. I have assured the parents of this state that I would not send my child to a school that I didn't know was safe. Without testing we can't assure parents and teachers of the safety of that school."

As of Friday, 244 children in the East Ramapo district in Rockland County tested positive for the virus, as did 29 children in the Kiryas Joel school district in Orange County.

"The Governor has not closed schools in Palm Tree to our knowledge," an Orange County spokesman said. "County Executive Steven Neuhaus has asked the Health Commissioner, under the Public Health Law, to request the State approve such a closure."

A spokesman for Rockland County Executive Ed Day said Monday morning county officials did not know yet what Cuomo's new initiative will mean for the community.

Last week, in a statement to Patch, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhas said the state "has principle law enforcement responsibility in Kiryas Joel and has told us they would enforce in the Village."

Areas in all the hot spot communities will continue to be subject of focused testing, including with rapid testing machines.

The state will deploy personnel to directly enforce state guidance, Cuomo said. The new effort is modeled on the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force that has been enforcing state guidance at bars and restaurants in New York City and on Long Island. Local businesses that violate the law can be subject to fines and closure.

In the New York City hot spots, schools and nonessential businesses are expected to be closed beginning Wednesday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio sent a proposal to the New York state government on Sunday seeking a closure of those facilities in the ZIP codes that have remained above a 3 percent positivity rate for the last seven days. The mayor's plan also calls for a temporary end to high-risk activities in 11 other city zip codes.

SEE:

• Cuomo: Fine Local Governments Over Coronavirus Hot Spots
• Coronavirus: Children Testing Positive In Rockland, Orange