St. Lawrence County Administrator Ruth Doyle and St. Lawrence County Public Health Director Dana McGuire announced on March 24 that county officials have learned of a positive test result for Coronavirus (COVID-19) within St. Lawrence County. The test results were confirmed today (March 25, 2020). The confirmed case is a patient from St. Lawrence County. The local health department is getting in touch with anyone who may have been in contact with this individual.

No additional information is being released at this time due to patient privacy laws.

In response to this case and continuing recommendations from the state and federal governments, on March 16, 2020 the Chair of the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators, Joseph Lightfoot, has issued a State of Emergency to help prevent the spread of this disease.

The Public Health Department is strongly recommending residents stay home. The recommendation continues to be no unnecessary travel, avoid group gatherings, and avoid contact with other people. If essential travel is required (i.e. work, groceries, and/or medical needs), social distancing should be practiced, which means keeping a minimum of six feet apart from others.

Additionally, following Governor Cuomo’s directive, St. Lawrence County reduced county employees working in county facilities by 50% by implementing work from home protocols for many employees which began, Wednesday, March 18.

A number of County facilities are now closed to the public:  St. Lawrence County Court House  St. Lawrence County Public Safety Complex  St. Lawrence County Human Services Center  St. Lawrence County DMV Offices  St. Lawrence County Surrogate Building  All Nutrition Sites Additionally, St. Lawrence Health Systems and Claxton Hepburn Medical Center are working together to implement testing criteria and plan for increased hospital capacity.