REGION — The number of active cases of coronavirus continue to go up in the county and the region.

As of Tuesday, there were 100 active cases, 51 deaths and 672 people quarantined/isolated in Sullivan County.

"COVID-19 is spreading in New York, and the increased number of cases is taking place throughout the state. This is not an upstate or downstate issue—all New Yorkers, regardless of where they live, have cause for concern," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

The Nutshell

An event at The Nutshell, a bar in Lake Huntington, has resulted in at least six COVID-19-positive infections since the middle of this month.

Sullivan County Public Health Services determined that an individual, who subsequently tested positive for coronavirus, attended the gathering during their infectious period.

Public Health Services is advising anyone who was at that location on the following dates that they may have been exposed to coronavirus: evening of November 14 into the morning of November 15.

“Reports indicate few to no attendees were wearing masks, so many people may have been exposed,” said Public Health Director Nancy McGraw. “If someone thinks they have been exposed and develops symptoms, they should self-quarantine for 14 days and call their healthcare provider if symptoms develop, or call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845-292-5910.”

The NYS Department of Health has been told by The Nutshell's owner that the business is now closed and will remain so for at least the rest of the year.

The Arnold House

Sullivan County Public Health Services advised the public last Friday that an individual who dined at the Arnold House in Livingston Manor may have unintentionally exposed others on Sunday, November 15 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Public Health has determined that the restaurant has been following all COVID-19 guidance from NY Forward and the NYS Department of Health and is in compliance.

However, due to the fact that the novel coronavirus can be spread while talking, eating, and laughing, others may have been exposed and should monitor their symptoms.

“Although we believe that the employees wore masks routinely, many customers may not have been doing the same while seated at tables, and may have been exposed,” said Public Health Director Nancy McGraw. “If someone thinks they have been exposed and develops symptoms, they should self-quarantine for 14 days and call their healthcare provider if symptoms develop, or call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845-292-5910.”

Liberty Central School District

On Thursday, November 19, the Liberty Central School District (LCSD) was notified that three members of the LCSD community tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the closure of the High School for in-person instruction through Tuesday, December 1. All classes will be held remotely.

The elementary school and the middle school remain open for in-person instruction and students should attend classes as scheduled.

The three individuals who tested positive were last on Liberty campuses November 17. Two of the individuals were in the high school; one individual was in the elementary school.

Contact tracing by Sullivan County Public Health determined that a substantial number of Liberty High School staff members will need to quarantine, making it impossible to adequately staff the building for in-person instruction.

Quarantine requirements at the elementary school affect a single classroom and students who may have ridden the bus with the individual who tested positive for COVID-19. The affected classroom has been closed and students in the class will receive remote instruction through Tuesday, December 1.

The district also announced on Tuesday that a substitute teacher has tested positive for COVID-19.

The substitute was last in Liberty Elementary School on Tuesday, November 17. Contact tracing has been completed and 10 individuals were found to have been in direct contact with the substitute teacher. Those individuals have been advised to quarantine as per Sullivan County Public Health guidelines.

The substitute was also working in the elementary school on Monday, November 16, but health officials deemed that the substitute was not considered contagious that day.

Sullivan West Central School District

On Friday, November 20 Sullivan West Central School District announced that a student at the Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. That student was last on campus at the Elementary School on Tuesday of last week.

According to the district, all staff members who were identified to have been in contact with this student, as well as the parents of all students who were identified to have been in contact with this student, have received communication from the School District.

The Elementary School shifted to a fully-remote program for Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24. There was no impact on the regular operations of the Middle School/High School.

The district also announced on Monday that a Middle/High School student tested positive for COVID-19, but the student has not been present on the school's campus during any time period in which they were contagious.

As a result, no students or staff members were exposed to this individual and the Middle/High School remained open.