We are bringing back the COVID-19 Tracking articles while we stay mindful of what is going on with transmission and positivity rates, and the possible waning efficacy of the vaccination that 55% of residents did take all doses of in Dutchess County. As the virus was declining, in June 2021, there were 56 Active Cases in Dutchess County. On August 18, 2021, there are 732 Active Cases in Dutchess County, according to Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro during an address he delivered via Facebook. Today, there are 30 Active Cases in Beacon. Dutchess County is considered to be in a “High Transmission Rate” according to the CDC.

As the Delta variant thrives in other states A Little Beacon Blog is starting to track the COVID-19 numbers again. You can track it 24/7 by visiting the Dutchess County Dashboard here. Readers have asked a few questions since the last time we were tracking this in May 2020. Those questions and answers are below:

• What used to be the high Active Case Count in Beacon?
  At one point in mid May 2020, there were 146 Active Cases in Beacon. Active Cases hovered in the 130s for a bit, and then the gradual decline began.

• What was happening by May 2020?
  Well, as of March 2020, restaurants had been shut down. They began selling booze-to-go on March 17, 2020, according to Eater NY. By May, there were calls to open outdoor dining. By June, outdoor dining was approved in New York, and Beacon introduced “parklets” for people to dine in parking spots. Also according to Eater NY, on March 25, 2020: “The pioneering, Mumbai-born Chef Floyd Cardoz dies. He was one of the first major figures in the NYC food world to die from complications related to COVID-19. In the months that followed, the staggering toll the virus took on the city included the deaths of dozens of hospitality industry workers, chefs, and restaurant owners.”

• Are Active COVID-19 Hospital Cases separated by Vaccinated or Non-Vaccinated?
  According to Dutchess County Communication Director Colleen T. Pillus in response to ALBB’s question: “Our dashboard does not separate out vaccinated/non-vaccinated in the hospital count at this time.” However, Dutchess County does have the information, as noted in a 8/18/2021 address to residents by Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro.

• Do we know the number of people who have died due to COVID-19 complications in Beacon?

  According to Dutchess County Communication Director Colleen T. Pillus in response to ALBB’s question: “We do not publish mortality numbers by municipality.”

• “Long-Haul COVID” is not tracked in the Dutchess County Dashboard.
  ”Long-Haul COVID” is a condition that develops in some people after they first contract the virus. People who have it speak of fatigue lasting for months, pain, and other compromising symptoms. Beacon’s Councilperson Air Nonken Rhodes began speaking openly about their own life with long-haul symptoms, which you can read about here.

COVID-19 Case Numbers

8/18/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 732
Dutchess County Deaths: 458
Dutchess County Hospitalized: 28
Beacon Active Cases: 31
Fishkill Active Cases: 63
Fishkill Village Active Cases: <5
Poughkeepsie Active Cases: 106
Poughkeepsie City Active Cases: 140
Wappinger Active Cases: 59
Wappingers Falls Village: 20
Hyde Park Active Cases: 49

8/19/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 739
Dutchess County Deaths: 460
Dutchess County Hospitalized: 32
Beacon Active Cases: 30
Fishkill Active Cases: 64
Fishkill Village Active Cases: <5
Poughkeepsie Active Cases: 101
Poughkeepsie City Active Cases: 133
Wappinger Active Cases: 61
Wappingers Falls Village: 21
Hyde Park Active Cases: 50

8/20/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 725
Dutchess County Deaths: 461
Dutchess County Hospitalized: 28
Beacon Active Cases: 30
East Fishkill Active Cases: 64
Fishkill Active Cases: 56
Fishkill Village Active Cases: 6
Poughkeepsie Active Cases: 103
Poughkeepsie City Active Cases: 131
Wappinger Active Cases: 56
Wappingers Falls Village: 19
Hyde Park Active Cases: 46