COVID-19

There have been possible COVID-19 exposures at two eateries in the Hudson Valley.

The Westchester County executive says a sharp rise in the number of active COVID-19 cases continues, and there’s a good chance the state will designate additional areas as micro-clusters.

The mayor of Poughkeepsie, New York has tested positive for COVID-19.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy has warned that the percentage of residents testing positive for COVID-19 over a seven-day average has surpassed 3 percent, nearing the threshold where New York state imposes tighter restrictions. WAMC’s Jackie Orchard spoke with Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen about Thanksgiving, which is expected to cause a large spike in cases.

Democrats who lead the New York state Senate announced Monday that they have won enough seats to hold a super majority. That means they can override vetoes by the governor and potentially change the balance of power at the State Capitol.  

Westchester County Executive George Latimer relayed New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement Monday that some areas in the county are headed to red zone status if COVID-19 numbers keep increasing. And he reminded the public that National Guard troops will be at the county airport to enforce COVID-19 rules ahead of a feared Thanksgiving spike.

Plattsburgh’s mayor is re-imposing limits for all city government buildings and departments originally issued in March and April to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras was at SUNY New Paltz Friday as mandatory COVID-19 testing for students continued. The so-called exit testing is required of all SUNY students before they leave for Thanksgiving and complete the rest of the semester remotely. Malatras spoke with WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne about the testing and what to expect for the spring semester.

The Lenox, Massachusetts public schools are suspending in-person teaching until January 19th, 2021.

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced that access to county buildings will be limited and more staffing will be remote as COVID-19 cases escalate.

Berkshire Healthcare says that all of its facilities in Berkshire County have at least one staffer with COVID-19.

The Vice President of the North Adams, Massachusetts City Council says Mayor Tom Bernard should take further action to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the community of around 13,000. Jason LaForest – who is a nurse – tells WAMC that table service at restaurants should be suspended and all of the city’s schools should move to remote learning.

Advocates for Black and Brown communities in New York are urging Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign four pieces of legislation passed earlier this year.

Because of increasing COVID-19 case numbers throughout the Hudson Valley, some county employees will be switching from in-person work to working remotely.

The Saratoga Senior Center is at risk of losing critical funding as the City of Saratoga Springs faces a tough budget year. 

Governor Phil Scott continues to urge Vermonters to follow the guidelines he set last week to control the spread of COVID-19. The spread of the virus is increasing in the state and the Northeast.

Pittsfield, Massachusetts is contending with a spike in coronavirus spread in the weeks following private social gatherings at homes and in restaurants in late October. With its public school buildings shuttered until December 4th and a suspension of in-person dining at city eateries in place, public health officials have voiced concerned about what impact Thanksgiving could have on efforts to halt the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Linda Tyer spoke with WAMC on Tuesday about the ongoing fight against COVID, as well as a controversial downtown Blue Lives Matter display.

City Hall in Poughkeepsie will be closed to the public starting Tuesday after a number of city employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

As COVID-19 cases increase across New York and the nation, Westchester County is no exception. In fact, the sharp uptick has the county executive and his team very concerned and working to keep any part of the county from facing the most severe of state-imposed restrictions.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey released a report today identifying and exploring responses to racial injustice in health care.

The Ulster County executive held a rare weekend call with county and local leaders on Saturday. Democrat Pat Ryan says it’s time to collaborate even further to let residents know how important it is to stop the spread of COVID-19 as a second wave emerges.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a speech at a Black church in Manhattan, vowed to sue the administration of President Donald Trump for violating the constitutional rights of African-American and Hispanic New Yorkers, if it does not make changes to its COVID-19 vaccination plan.

Governor Phil Scott has announced a series of steps to curb a significant rise in COVID cases in Vermont.

As the number of COVID-19 cases rises nationally and in New York, counties in the Hudson Valley are also seeing their numbers increase. One leader says his county is at the beginning of a second wave, while another is hopeful as a drug company with offices in his county is developing a COVID-19 vaccine.

Seven Department of Public Works employees in Poughkeepsie have tested positive for COVID-19.

Officials have unveiled new technology they say will help travelers keep peace of mind during the pandemic at Albany International Airport.

Coronavirus cases are increasing in Vermont. Tuesday evening, Burlington’s mayor held a virtual town hall with medical experts to discuss concerns and what people should know about new guidance to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is imposing new restrictions on bars and restaurants, and limiting the number of people at a home gathering to 10 or fewer, effective Friday. The governor says it’s due to climbing rates of COVID-19 in New York, as the nation breaks another record for the number of cases.

The city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts is alerting residents to a major spike in COVID-19 cases related to house parties and dining inside restaurants. 

The Ecosocialist Working Group of the Massachusetts Democratic Socialists of America has put forward a Green Stimulus Plan that it says prioritizes equity, working people and the environment. It comes as the state slowly rebuilds from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. WAMC spoke to John Prusinski of the Berkshire Chapter of the DSA. He says the plan corresponds with legislation working its way through the Massachusetts legislature.