The New York State teachers union believes every school in any county with a confirmed case of coronavirus should close immediately.

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On Friday around 5 p.m., New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta called for the closing of schools in counties with confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

“With the coronavirus continuing to spread, we are calling on state and local health and school officials to take decisive action and proactively close all schools in counties where there are confirmed cases of this virus," Pallotta said in a statement.

On Friday it was announced schools in Dutchess and Ulster will close for two weeks due to the coronavirus and Orange County Executive recommended schools in Orange County close for two weeks.

“As schools close, local school district officials must remain in close contact with not only educators, but also appropriate social service agencies and other organizations that know best how to provide education, free meals, mental health services and other critical resources that many children in every corner of the state need during a shutdown period. All of these resources — from learning materials to food — must be provided in an equitable way that meets the needs of every student in a school district regardless of their age, economic status and where they live. We will continue to stay in contact with officials at every level to ensure our children receive everything they need during this time," Pallotta said.

On Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced 96 new cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the total in New York to 421. Combined there are now 178 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Hudson Valley, most coming in the Lower Hudson Valley.


Also on Friday, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to fight the spread of coronavirus.

Ulster County Executive Patrick K. Ryan declared a State of Emergency on Thursday after announcing two more residents received positive test results for COVID-19.

Dutchess and Orange counties both confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in each county on Thursday.  Dutchess County is currently monitoring 24 cases. The person who tested positive was one of those 24. 22 of the 24 are under precautionary quarantine. Two are under mandatory quarantine.

The Orange County resident with coronavirus was a patient who went to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in the City of Newburgh. The person is presently hospitalized and isolated. The hospital has furloughed a number of its workers, officials confirmed.

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