Additional Health Resources Available At: Jefferson County Public Health
November 23, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
We are reaching out once again to provide you with the latest updates regarding COVID-19 and our community.
Nationally COVID-19 is raging, setting record numbers of cases and hospitalizations every day. Locally, we have seen a significant increase in positive cases and hospitalizations in the tri-county area since Halloween.
The reality of the situation is that what happens with COVID-19 in our community will be a pure consequence of our actions. If we continue to take this pandemic seriously, to do our best to wear our masks and socially distance, and to stay smart during the upcoming holidays, we will be able to keep it under control. We understand that it has been a very long 8 months and that we are all suffering from COVID fatigue. But, now more than ever, it is imperative that we stay strong and diligent.
Wear Your Mask. Wash Your Hands. Stay Six Feet Apart.
Please also remember to take basic precautions against the flu and be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you are feeling ill.
Last Friday evening Governor Cuomo announced several new restrictions related to the pandemic:
- Delivery and Curbside Pick-Up without Alcohol May Continue After 10 PM
- Gyms Also Required to Close Daily at 10 PM Statewide
- Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings at Private Residences Will Be Limited to 10 People, not including those who reside at the residence
Please remain patient with businesses, schools, and neighbors as they continue to adapt in order to accommodate the changing health guidance. We understand the strain this puts on our local businesses. We encourage all residents to safely support local businesses as often as possible.
The Town and Village boards continue to evaluate the current situation. We are trying our best to continue updating our residents with information regarding restrictions, closures, changes of hours or operations and other services available for our residents affected by the Coronavirus.
For more information, please visit our website at www.townofclayton.com or www.villageofclayton.com or call our Offices during regular business hours at 315-686-3512 for the Town of Clayton or 315-686-5552 for the Village of Clayton to leave a message for a specific department. In addition, please check our social media pages for updates as they become available.
For more information on the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic we encourage everyone to visit the Jefferson County Public Health’s website at: https://co.jefferson.ny.us/departments/PublicHealth. There you will find helpful information, essential phone numbers to refer to, and potential COVID-19 exposures. Additionally, Jefferson County Public Health has posted information for people returning to Jefferson County from other areas.
We hope that this message finds you and your family healthy and safe as we continue to work together to fight this virus and flatten the curve. Take care, and enjoy a healthy and safe Thanksgiving.
March 24, 2019: A Message from the Town Supervisor and Village Mayor: “Be prepared, not scared.”
Dear Friends,
This is an unsettling time for our community, as we are in a public health emergency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Your elected leaders and public health officials are working around the clock to slow the spread of the virus and provide care to those who need it. It is important to remember that we need to be prepared, not scared. Heed the advice of public health experts who agree that the most effective way to “flatten the curve,” or slow the spread of the virus, is to practice social distancing. Below is some helpful information regarding COVID-19:
How can you be infected?
• Coronavirus can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Because these droplets can travel up to six feet, public health experts advise maintaining six feet of distance from others.
• The virus can also remain on a surface or object and enter the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes. This is why it is important to wash your hands before touching your face.
How long does it take to show symptoms after being infected?
• It takes 2 to 14 days to develop symptoms after exposure to the virus. The average is about 5 days.
What are the symptoms?
• Fever
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
When should you seek testing?
• If you are exhibiting symptoms
• If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus
• If you have recently traveled to one of the high-risk countries
Except in the case of an emergency, please call your healthcare provider before seeking treatment in person.
While it is normal to feel anxious, there are ways to take control of the situation and be prepared. I urge you to take the following precautions to keep yourself and our community safe.
• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Avoid physical contact like handshakes and hugs
• Stay home if you feel sick
• Avoid large crowds
• Abstain from unnecessary travel
What is the difference between “Safer at Home” and “social distancing”?
Safer at home is a stricter form of social distancing. There are some differences. Safer at home means:
• Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)
• Only go out for essential services
• Stay six feet or more away from others
• Don’t gather in groups
It is important during this national emergency that we unite as a community, follow the advice of experts, and take responsibility for our actions to #SlowTheSpread of coronavirus. For more information, visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov or call the NYS Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
Supervisor Peterson & Mayor Zimmer
Town and Village of Clayton Announce Further Actions in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic
As per the most recent update to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.6 which directs all non-essential businesses to reduce the in-person workforce at any location by 100% by March 22, 2020, the following changes have been made with respect Town and Village of Clayton operations to be effective immediately and until further notice:
• The Town of Clayton administrative offices at 405 Riverside Drive, Clayton are closed. Office staff may bereached by email or by phone; contact information is available on the Town’s website at www.townofclayton.com. This includes the Town Clerk; Assessor; Zoning & Planning and Code Enforcement. If you have critical or time-sensitive business, please call or email to make arrangements.
• The Town’s Highway Department is closed. If you need to speak to someone regarding a highway issue, please phone Town Highway Superintendent Steve Dorr at 315-778-4169.
• The Town’s Building and Grounds Department at Cerow Recreation Park is closed. If you need to speak with someone regarding a buildings and grounds or arena issue, please phone the Recreation Supervisor James Jones at 315-399-7729.
• The Town of Clayton Transfer Site will remain open for regular hours at this time.
• The Village of Clayton administrative offices at 425 Mary Street, Clayton are closed. If you have a specific administrative question, please contact Mayor Zimmer at 315-777-7135 or mayorzimmer@villageofclayton.org.
• The Village DPW is closed. If you have a DPW related question, please contact DPW Superintendent Terry Jones at 315-778-8238 or Foreman John Farmer at 315-882-6972.
• The Village Water/Sewer Department remains open. If you have a water/sewer specific question, please contact Water Quality Supervisor Megan Ervay at 607-857-7421.
• The Village Police Department continues to operate under its normal schedule.
• The Joint Town/Village of Clayton Court is closed. All matters are administratively adjourned until further notice. Upon resumption of the regular court sessions, defendants will be contacted by the court personnel at a future date. Should you have any questions, you may contact 315-671-4699.
• All board meetings and public hearings of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Town Board and Village Board are canceled until further notice, except in instances where time constraints have been placed on an application through a court or other legal obligation. Those situations will be addressed on a case by- case basis and we will do our best to publish timely notice of meetings that will occur. These postponed meetings will be rescheduled as soon as it is deemed responsible to do so. If you have questions regarding postponed meetings, please check with the appropriate department as to schedule.
The Town and Village continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will provide updates as they become available. If you have further questions, please contact Supervisor Peterson at 315-783-3569 or lpeterson@townofclayton.com or Mayor Zimmer at 315-777-7135 or mayorzimmer@villageofclayton.org.