Public Health Alert: COVID-19 Exposure at Ashley HomeStore

Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH) Commissioner Dr. Anil Vaidian announced today an employee at Ashley Home Store at 1895 South Road in Poughkeepsie tested positive for COVID-19. Anyone who shopped at Ashley Homestore from July 11^th to July 15^th is 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 has been working with Ashley Homestore to ensure they are following all recommended health and safety guidelines and protocols, and Ashley Homestore has already conducted a thorough cleaning and disinfection of it’s facility. Contact tracing is underway with those confirmed to have had direct contact with the individual.

"We strongly urge anyone who recently shopped at Ashley Homestore to be aware and alert for possible symptoms," said DBCH Commissioner Dr. Vaidian. “If you shopped at the store between July 11^th and July 15^th, 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

Dr. Vaidian continued, “We are working closely with Ashley Homestore staff to educate them on best practices and helping to ensure a safe environment going forward for staff, as well as the public. We appreciate their cooperation and commitment to health and safety moving forward.”

Testing is widely available and information about the nearest testing locations is available at https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Collection-Sites-for-Testing-in-Dutchess-County.htm.

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 social 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

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