Scarsdale

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 16 November 2020

Created: 16 November 2020

Last Updated: 17 November 2020

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In response to rising COVID-19 infection rates in Westchester, County Executive George Latimer announced that he will now hold bi-weekly briefings. He said, “We are facing a second wave.” The number of active cases in Westchester has doubled over the past two weeks with 3,515 cases as of November 16 in Westchester.

He said, the positive rate was now between 3-4% and is “heading straight up.” And more people are becoming seriously ill as well. Latimer said that on November 16 there were 121 people in the hospital with COVID as compare to 47 two weeks ago. 17 people passed away in the past two weeks.

Even in Scarsdale, where the number of active cases fluctuated between 5 and 10 for many months, the map now shows 25 active cases.

According to Scarsdale Schools Superintendent Thomas Hagerman, as of November 16, the district has had 13 active cases this school year and 120 students and 22 staff members are now in quarantine. The school reports that these cases were due to community spread or contact from sports.

Latimer reported that Port Chester which was declared a Yellow Zone by the state last week, has now been declared an Orange Zone, further restricting activity and local business. Though schools remain open, there is a mandate to test sample groups of students and teachers each week to monitor the spread. Gatherings are limited to only 10 people indoors or outdoors and there is no longer indoor dining in restaurants.

The County Executive lost his patience with those who refused to comply with recommendations to wear masks and social distance, saying that these measures are required to save lives. As to those who complain about limitations on attendance at Houses of Worship, Latimer said, “These rules are not intended to limit freedom of religion – but to safeguard the community. Sacrifices are necessary to save lives. These restrictions are required so that we don’t lose any more people.”

In order to share information about the virus with populations that may not be aware of the risks, the county is going door to door with messaging, making robo calls and has produced a public service video. All communications are being produced in Spanish and English so that everyone can be informed.

Latimer also called for parents to understand that hybrid learning is the safest option for students and teachers. He said he has a weekly call with 40 county school superintendents and made the following statement emphasizing his support for hybrid learning models:

“As the identified rate of COVID-19 infection within Westchester County rises, we know that this creates significant challenges in our communities. School districts operating in a hybrid model, with six-foot social distancing protocols in place, are enabling students to engage in in-person learning within the school facility environment. The goal of the schools is to serve as many young people in their facilities, daily, as possible. We are also aware of the desire for some parents to have schools return to full, in person learning and bring all students back to school buildings. Unfortunately, with the rising cases of COVID-19 in our County, this is not possible at this time. Bringing more individuals into school buildings increases the density in schools and presents the possibility of significant risk of COVID-19 spread to students, staff and further risks community spread. Our health/safety protocols are working to reduce spread within our schools. Sacrificing six-foot social distancing seriously reduces the school’s ability to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The County has been working closely with local school superintendents to support the safety and mitigation efforts in our schools and communities and fully supports the hybrid models in our schools.”

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 23 November 2020

Created: 23 November 2020

Last Updated: 23 November 2020

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(Updated) MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan reported that the MTA is investigating a bus crash at 8:26 am on Monday November 23 at Scarsdale Train Station. A Westchester County Bee-Line bus carrying no passengers struck and became wedged in the weather-protection overhang in the passenger drop-off area at the Scarsdale Metro-North station. The MTA Police are investigating the cause of the collision.

Metro-North Railroad personnel inspected the station and found it was undamaged. They reported no impact to train service. The bus driver sustained only minor injuries.

Later in the afternoon, Scarsdale Fire Chief Jim Seymour reported that the Scarsdale Fire Department was dispatched to 1 Depot Place just after 8:30 am. They found a Bee-Line bus that struck the Scarsdale Training Station building. The bus was unoccupied at the time other than the driver/operator. Crews were able to remove the driver/operator through an emergency window and she was evaluated by Scarsdale Ambulance Corps at the scene. Scarsdale Fire, assisted by the Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale Fire Departments, installed temporary shoring to ensure structural stability in order for the bus to be removed. Also on location were units from the Scarsdale Police Department, the MTA Police and Fire Departments and members of the MTA Building Structures Division. The bus was removed without further incident or injury following an approximate two-hour operation.

Photo Credit: MTAPhoto Credit: Scarsdale Fire Department

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 10 November 2020

Created: 10 November 2020

Last Updated: 10 November 2020

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Though the number of active infections in the Scarsdale Schools remains low, there are signs that COVID is on the uptick in Westchester County.

As of November 5, the NYS Department of Health reports 1 positive student at Fox Meadow Elementary School, 1 positive staff member at Edgewood Elementary School, and 4 students and 1 staff member positive at Scarsdale High School for a total of 7 cases district wide. However here were additional reports from the school district since November 5, so that case count may be higher.

According to the district, over 100 students are currently quarantined due to exposure to those who are positive, primarily from contacts outside school.

According to Westchester County, as of November 9 there were a total of 10 active cases in Scarsdale.

But countywide, the numbers are far more concerning. As of Monday November 9, County Executive George Latimer reported rising infections, hospitalizations and fatalities and announced that a “yellow zone” had been declared in Port Chester and parts of Rye Brook. Latimer said, we are “seeing a steady increase in the virus.”

Here are the numbers:

-Year to date there are 42,179 cases in Westchester County.

-There are currently 2,048 active cases of COVID in the county. This is dramatically higher than the summer months when, on August 8, there were only 442 active cases, almost one fifth of the current count.

On November 8, 6,606, people were tested and 225 came back positive – a 3.4% rate of infection, while on August 8 the infection rate was only 1.1%.

Year to date, there were a total of 908,000 tests given in the county, a count that does include multiple tests for some people.

As of November 6, 82 people were hospitalized as compared to 48 on November 1. The number of hospitalizations has doubled in just one week. Latimer said, “The trend line is moving in the wrong direction.”

In terms of deaths, Latimer reported “We have lost 1 person a day for the last 3 days. … But we only lost 7 people in July and only 4 people in August. In the month of October, 20 people passed away.”

Latimer concluded that more people are testing positive at a higher percentage though we have not reached the crisis levels experienced in March and April. He said, “The trend lines are concerning.”

He urged residents to wear masks and practice social distancing until a vaccine is available. He noted that colder weather would bring more indoor activities and the potential for the virus to spread further.

Latimer also discussed the Governor’s decision to declare a yellow zone in the Village of Port Chester and a portion of the Village of Rye Brook. According to Latimer, “The yellow zone designation is not a shutdown. It is a cautionary note to slow down due to an increase in the infection rate.

Here is what a yellow zone means as defined by Governor Cuomo:

-There is a limit of four people to a table at restaurants.
-Outside events are limited to 25 rather than 50 people.
-There are restrictions on the number of people who can attend services at houses of worship.

Latimer noted that Portchester borders Connecticut where there is also a rise in the infection rate. He said that rapid COVID testing has been ramped up in Port Chester to identify those who are positive before they spread the disease.