Fifth COVID-19 Related Death Confirmed in Dutchess
Poughkeepsie… The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) has confirmed the death of a fifth Dutchess County resident relating to COVID-19. DBCH confirmed a 68-year-old female died at home today, April 1, 2020. The patient, who had a history of underlying conditions, presented at Vassar Brothers Medical Center’s Emergency Room late last week after not feeling well. She returned home and was later informed of a positive COVID-19 test result drawn during her hospital visit. The individual had not yet been transferred to DBCH monitoring. Further specific information cannot be provided for privacy reasons.
County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our Dutchess County neighbor, and we as a community mourn the loss of another resident to this global pandemic. As we released yesterday both countywide Coronavirus statistics and information about every local municipality, we remind residents no community has been spared from this virus, reinforcing the message we have spread for weeks: Stay home; stay healthy; stop the spread. As a county, we remain dedicated to fight the spread of this virus, employing every resource available, and we thank all those — healthcare professionals, first responders, County personnel and others — who have worked tirelessly to protect our residents.”
Behavioral and Community Health Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian said, “We implore residents who think they have symptoms of COVID-19 to call their primary-care physician and remain in constant contact to ensure follow-up monitoring can continue. As this pandemic continues to affect hundreds in our community, and will impact even more in the coming days and weeks, we must all take an active part in keeping ourselves healthy and saving lives.”
As testing in Dutchess County expanded last week, there are now more than 460 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dutchess County, and the numbers are expected to continue to increase. Staying home remains critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve so as not to overwhelm the local healthcare system and ensure everyone can get the care they need.
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, www.dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, its Coronavirus hotline, (845) 486-3555, and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
