BY ANDY GARDNER
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- St. Lawrence County has a place to quarantine up to 40 coronavirus patients, if they need the room to do so.

St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chairman Joseph Lightfoot said United Helpers is granting the county permission to use their former assisted living residence at state routes 37 and 68 in Ogdensburg.

“When we were scurrying around trying to locate or identify places that should we have the need to either forcibly confine, or provide a space for people that couldn’t be isolated in their own homes, or in some other fashion, that we would have a place to provide for these people,” said Lightfoot, R-Ogdensburg.

In February, the county voted to contract with outside agencies for quarantine space. At the time, Public Health Director Dana McGuire said people who would need the quarantine space because they aren’t able to separate themselves from others in the household and don’t have access to their own bathroom.

Lightfoot said the space is now ready to take those COVID-19 patients, or those who have the virus who flat out refuse to abide by Public Health’s isolation order.

“Let’s say we had somebody who had the virus and they weren’t serious enough, or sick enough to be admitted to the hospital … and they refused to abide by the Public Health order to quarantine or isolate. In this case, we go to Judge (Mary) Farley in Supreme Court. We bring that person in (to court). We have a hearing. And the judge, if she saw fit, could order that person into our custody and be confined,” Lightfoot said. “They would be confined against their will. This is the place we would bring them. It would require some kind of security there to make sure they’re staying put and are safe and secure.”

He said he expects the county will have to pay United Helpers, should the need arise to house anyone in quarantine at the building.

“I don’t expect they’re going to do it for nothing. I haven’t signed any contractual agreements with the United Helpers as of [Tuesday, April 7],” Lightfoot said. “It’s a perfect situation. Plenty of parking, plenty of room, nice view. We’d have to provide [people in quarantine or isolation] with the laundry and a television, I’d say wi-fi. The things they’d have been used to in their own homes or wherever.”

The county board chairman said they will try to get any expenses reimbursed through the federal CARES Act.

“I’m thinking perhaps some of that cost we might be able to recoup through this $2 trillion the federal government is going to be doling out,” he said. “We’re keeping track of our (county) expenses with regard to this COVID with the thought that FEMA might be reimbursing.”

Lightfoot said he is appreciative of United Helpers CEO Steve Knight for bringing the county’s proposal to use the building to the UH board.

“Steve Knight was … gracious enough to bring it to his board. The very next morning after he brought it to the board, he called me and said ‘the board’s on board with this,’” Lightfoot said.

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