Election Day Poll Worker Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Michael Woyton
·1 min read

EAST FISHKILL, NY — A poll worker at the East Fishkill Community Center in Hopewell Junction on Election Day has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Dr. Anil Vaidian, Dutchess County's commissioner of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, made the announcement Thursday in a news release.

He said the person had been following all precautionary steps, including mask wearing, hand sanitizing and physical distancing, and was not experiencing any symptoms.

"Therefore the risk to voters in minimal," Vaidian said.

"However, voters, and any others who visited the site, on Election Day are advised to monitor for symptoms and seek testing as a precautionary measure," he said.

The community center is at 890 Route 82 in Hopewell Junction.

The town of East Fishkill undertook appropriate cleaning and disinfection after the county Board of Elections closed the polling site on Tuesday evening.

"We urge anyone who voted at the East Fishkill Community Center on November 3rd to be aware and alert for possible symptoms," Vaidian said. "We encourage you to be tested as a precaution."

He said it was an important reminder that the virus is still present in the community and people must continue to take necessary mitigation steps to keep everyone safe, including wearing a face covering, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

Symptoms of the new coronavirus, which may appear two to 14 days after exposure, include:

  • Fever

  • Coughing

  • Shortness of breath/trouble breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Testing is widely available and information abut the nearest testing location is available through this website.

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This article originally appeared on the Mid Hudson Valley Patch