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Westchester County health officials say that having a negative COVID-19 test does not mean you're safe following several parties held around the county where people were asked to show a negative test.
BRIEFING NOTES:
- There are 463 active cases of coronavirus in Westchester County.
- Latimer says 40% of the population in the county has been tested.
- There were no fatalities overnight, but there were three individuals who died of COVID-19 over the past week.
- There are 44 people hospitalized for COVID-19. On May 3, there were over 600 people hospitalized for COVID-19.
- Latimer says that out of everyone who contracted COVID-19 in the county, 4% have died from the disease.
- The county has held seminars on sanitation, contact tracing and gave schools a survey as they wait on whether or not they will reopen in the fall.
- Latimer says that there have been several parties held where people (mostly teenagers) would have to show a negative COVID-19 test.
- Health officials: "There is really no 'get out of jail' card when it comes to COVID testing."
- They say that the COVID-19 tests only represent if you are sick when you take the test - you could go home after getting a test and develop COVID-19.
- Health officials say that the antigen test is not always accurate, and that anywhere from 35-40% of tests were incorrect. They say that the nose swab test is the most accurate.
- Health officials say that getting a negative test does not mean you should attend a large gathering.
- Latimer also addressed the upcoming storm, saying that people should be prepared with emergency preparedness kits. The county will also be on a call with town officials to make sure that they are also prepared.