County Executive Pat Ryan and New Paltz Town Supervisor Neil Bettez at the New Paltz clinic on Monday, April 26. (Provided)
The number of active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County fell by 40 percent in a single day, dropping from 1083 on Sunday, April 25 to 646 on Monday, April 26. The county’s active caseload is now the lowest it’s been since before Thanksgiving 2020.
Large jumps and drops are generally the result of data being reported in batches. (The county executive’s office describes the change reported Monday as “clearing out a backlog.”) In any case, the newest number is the most accurate. As was the case last year, the virus appears to be waning as warm weather returns.
The other factor is, of course, vaccines. As of Monday afternoon, April 26, 51.1 percent of county residents (91,288) had received at least one dose, and 36.9 percent (65,937) had received a full series. For the first time, supply is eclipsing demand. This week, in an effort to make getting vaccinated more convenient, the county announced walk-in vaccine clinics at various locations, including:
- Monday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., New Paltz Community center, 3 Veterans Drive, New Paltz
- Tuesday, April 27, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Rosendale Youth Center, 1055 Route 32, Rosendale
- Wednesday, April 28, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord
- Thursday, April 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gardiner Town Hall, 2340 Route 44/55, Gardiner
In addition, appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome at the main county distribution site at the Hudson Valley Mall on Friday, April 30 and Monday, May 3. To guarantee a spot for this location or the locations mentioned above, visit: https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/vaccine-resource-center/.
Appointments can also be made through a number of local pharmacies and for the State-run site at the Ulster County Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Road, New Paltz.
Need transportation? County buses will offer free rides to vaccination centers on its fixed routes. It will also accommodate those over the age of 60 and those with disabilities with curb-to-curb transportation. All rides must be reserved in advance by calling (845) 334-8120 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at least one day before your vaccination, and on the Friday before a Monday appointment.