Public Health Alert: County Officials Advise Residents Who Voted East Fishkill Community Center on Election Day to Seek COVID-19 Testing

Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH) Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian announced today a poll worker who worked at the East Fishkill Community Center at 890 Route 82, Hopewell Junction  on Election Day – Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 -  has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual had been following all precautionary steps – mask wearing, hand sanitizing, physical distancing and was not experiencing any symptoms -  therefore 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 (for Spanish, press 9). 

DBCH’s Rapid Response Team is working with the individual and the Dutchess County Board of Elections for 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 3rd to be aware and alert for possible symptoms,” said DBCH 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 DutchessNY.gov/CoronavirusTesting

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 (for Spanish, press 9)
• New York State Coronavirus Information Hotline:  888-364-3065