OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg has declared a state of emergency and established and emergency operations center at the police department.

The declaration was effective March 25 at 4 p.m.

A statement from the city manager follows:

With the arrival of the first positive test result for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in St. Lawrence County, under the powers and duties vested in the City Manager by the Ogdensburg City Charter, I am declaring a State of Emergency for the City of Ogdensburg, effective at 4:000 p.m. today.

With this declaration, I am hereby opening an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Ogdensburg Police Department on 800 Park Street. The EOC will be operational from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will be managed by Chief of Police Andrew Kennedy. Chief Kennedy will coordinate all emergency measures and safety precautions with assistance from his department and from other City departments.

The actions being taken today are in response to the presence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in our area. Along with Chief Kennedy and myself, Mayor Jeffrey Michael Skelly and the other members of Ogdensburg’s City Council recommend the following precautions:

• No unnecessary travel

• No group gatherings

• Avoid contact with other people

• If essential travel is required (i.e. grocery store, medical needs, work) practice social distancing, which means stay six feet apart

• Be vigilant with hygiene – frequent handwashing/sanitizing, no open coughing

At this time the City is imposing no additional restrictions as a result of this declaration. The declaration is intended to ensure our residents that your City government is taking all steps necessary to protect your health and safety. The declaration also will draw attention to the need to support our community’s medical facilities with adequate supplies.

“We want our citizens to know we are here for them, and we support them,” Mayor Skelly said. “We will face down this challenge with spirit and strength.”