"Stay the Hell home!" Rockland County Executive Ed Day says he can't make it any plainer than that.

It was just a few days ago when the White House Coronavirus Task Force identified Rockland County as one of the communities having the fastest growing number of coronavirus cases in the New York metro area.

Day confirms that the coronavirus is spreading quickly through the town of Ramapo, specifically in the Monsey and Spring Valley communities. "We have reported cases and we have confirmed cases. The actual number that we go by is the confirmed case count, which right now is probably about 1,400 plus."

Day also says the recent shocking spike in Rockland's numbers is due to a backlog of information and other issues on the state level, and people shouldn't panic.

Day says he is pleading with state officials for more help. He says after getting singled out by the White House, it's clear Rockland needs additional resources and attention from New York State. Day says he also wants to build a temporary emergency hospital at the Rockland Community College Field House. "Rockland was originally included in the governor's plans for temporary hospitals and we're asking that he revisit the plan as quickly as possible. We are nearing a point where local capacity could soon be overwhelmed."

Rockland County health officials say they can't stress enough that people need to stay home unless you are part of the essential workforce - especially those living in the hardest hit areas in Spring Valley and Monsey. They say if you have to go out, make it quick, protect yourself, and follow the social distancing rules.

Day says dealing with the measles outbreak this past year has helped prepare Rockland County officials for what he calls the ultimate in crisis management.

"When you’re noted nationally for something like this, it hits you hard. But I'll remind people that we were noted nationally and internationally for the measles epidemic."