Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Legislator Kitley Covill, 2nd District: Cluster Zones Explained for District Two.

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors, As you probably know, NYS has implemented a system of color coded “cluster zones” starting with “yellow” (precautionary slowing of spread, includes some restrictions), moving to “orange” (increased warning, and more restrictions), and finally to “red” (contain spread with the most restrictions).  The purpose of this system is to contain small outbreaks before they become more widespread. Currently, positivity rate (the percentage of tests coming back positive) is the major tool used to measure geographic spread and determine when a community is put in a zone (and when it leaves a zone).  The State has just updated the metrics they are using for this process, adding additional factors, including hospital capacity, to the metrics determining when a community gets to exit a zone. The Three Zones — See Chart Below Yellow Zone — Precautionary/Buffer: The purpose of a Yellow Precautionary Zone is to slow the spread of COVID in a community where numbers have begun to increase past a specific threshold (**7 days rolling average of 2.5% for 10 days). A Yellow Buffer Zone restricts activity to help prevent and ensure COVID is not spreading.  This is the lowest level of restriction currently being assigned to communities. Orange Zone — Warning/Buffer: The purpose of an Orange Warning Zone is to slow the spread of COVID in a community where numbers have reached an even higher threshold (**7 day rolling average of 3% for 10 days).  An Orange Buffer Zone is put in place primarily in densely populated urban areas as a tight buffer zone, often around a Red Zone micro-cluster.  This is the middle level of restriction.  Red Zone — Micro-Cluster: A Red Zone focus area is put in place to contain spread from a specific, defined geographic area. This is the highest level of restriction. (**7 day rolling average of 4% for 10 days.) **All communities must, in addition to the rolling average, have 10 or more positive cases per 100,000 residents on a 7-day average. These numbers, as always, are subject to change by the State. *Schools may reopen if they follow new guidelines that require mass testing in schools before they reopen followed by vigilant symptom and exposure screening conducted daily. For more information see: https://forward.ny.gov/cluster-action-initiative If the incidence of illness increases substantially after the Thanksgiving holiday, NYS will be likely to introduce additional changes.  Meanwhile, it is important for all of us to mask and disinfect our hands, socially distance, and test and quarantine when needed.  For those looking for testing locations, I have put together a chart of options in our communities. If you have a GP, it is often best to contact them first for instructions.  Also, as a reminder, the only time when an individual can test out of quarantine, is when they are in a travel quarantine.  Demand for the testing has outstripped demand right now, so it may be difficult to get a test if your only reason for requesting one is to get out of travel related quarantine.  (All New residents who are exposed to COVID or who are living in a home with someone who has tested positive for COVID must quarantine for the full quarantine period (currently 14 days). You cannot test out of quarantine due to exposure.) As always, rules and guidance may change in the coming weeks. I will do my best to keep you apprised of changes. Very truly yours, Kitley S. Covill