Governor Cuomo Directs State DOH Investigation of Potential Covid-19 Exposure at Religious Service In Essex County

New York State and Essex County to Offer Free Testing from 4- 7 PM Today at Ticonderoga Elementary and Middle School 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed the State Department of Health to investigate reports of potential COVID-19 exposures associated with a religious service held on June 21 at 9 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ticonderoga, Essex County. While only one individual in attendance is known to have tested positive at this time, given how quickly this virus can spread in large gatherings, the State is taking proactive measures to protect the community and encourages anyone who attended the service to be tested for COVID-19.

“An initial investigation found that an individual who was present at the service tested positive for COVID-19 following exposure to an individual who contracted the virus in Florida,” Governor Cuomo said. “The individual from Essex County is adhering to appropriate self-isolation measures, and there have been no additional known exposures related to this religious service.

“State DOH and the Essex County Health Department are working with officials from St. Mary’s to identify all individuals who attended the service and any subsequent gatherings where they may have been exposed,” Governor Cuomo continued. “The New York State Contact Tracing Program will be reaching out to identified individuals. I am encouraging anyone who attended the service to get a COVID test so that we can trace and isolate those infected and slow any further spread of the virus.”

State and County DOH have arranged for testing to be held today, June 30, 2020, at Ticonderoga Elementary/Middle School, 116 Alexandria Avenue, Ticonderoga, NY 12883 from 4 PM – 7 PM.