Hudson Valley Measles Outbreak Sends 5 to ICU

Five were sent to the ICU due to the ongoing Hudson Valley measles outbreaks. Those with measles are now facing bans and a daily fine.

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On Monday, officials in Rockland County confirmed there are now 186 cases of measles in the area, an increase of 13 from in just five days. On Tuesday, speaking at a press conference to announce their next move in the ongoing outbreak, County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert revealed their "Communicable Disease and Exposure Exclusion Order."

The order states anyone infected with the measles must stay home and out of public areas or face a $2,000 fine.

"Failure to comply will result in $2,000 per violation per day," Rockland County Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said during the press conference, according to CBS.

On March 26, Day declared a state of emergency which banned anyone who is under 18 years of age and unvaccinated against the measles from public places in Rockland County.

Following the ban, parents of unvaccinated children filed two cases in New York State Supreme Court to repeal the ban. A judge later temporarily blocked Rockland County from banning unvaccinated children.

In addition to the "Communicable Disease and Exposure Exclusion Order," residents have been getting notices at their homes that state unvaccinated people exposed to measles must stay out of indoor and outdoor public places for 21 days or face $2,000 fines, CBS reports.

"We were ahead of the crisis but our efforts have been hamstrung by recent court rulings. The fact of the matter is that we have had five cases go to the Intensive Care Unit including one infant. Need we wait for someone to die? It is grotesque that measurement has somehow seeped into this debate, even within the courts," Day wrote on Facebook after the order was announced. "What I want to leave with the people of Rockland is that we will not quit and we will not take a back seat when it comes to their health. We will use every tool at our disposal and do so regardless of opposition or distractions. That is our responsibility and we will conquer the challenge that is in front of us."

Last week it was announced a New York City resident with confirmed measles visited the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

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