Community COVID Update

I continue to monitor the community transmission rates for Dutchess and the surrounding counties according to the CDC tracking database by county. As of Sunday, September 5th:

  • Dutchess County Transmission (7 Day metrics): HIGH (6.7% positivity rate, with 65.5% vaccination)

  • Ulster County Transmission: HIGH (5.34%, 68.2% vaccination)

  • Columbia County: SUBSTANTIAL (2.89%, 70.4% vaccination)

  • Sullivan County: HIGH (7.63% positivity, 56.3% vaccination)

With this data, 3/4 of the surrounding counties are still listed as HIGH; the vaccination rates and correlation to the transmission appear to follow CDC guidance and observations.

With this information, the gym will keep the current policy asking that all members and clients provide proof of vaccination before entry into the gym. Unfortunately I will continue to postpone training clients that are unvaccinated (for the time being) as there are multiple higher risk populations that use the gym.

For those members that are vaccinated and are using the gym:

  • If you are alone in the gym and are asymptomatic of any illness, you may workout without a mask should you choose.

  • For those clients that are in session with personal training, if we are the only occupants of the gym during your session, masks will be optional for you.

  • If we can maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet, I will remove my mask as well. At any point when the circumstance arises that I must get closer to you, I will wear my mask.

  • If at any point the gym has MORE THAN 4 PEOPLE in the gym, masks will be required for everyone.

As the statistics change to reflect a downward trend in transmission, so too will the policies. I look forward to seeing you in the gym and hope you are all enjoying the twilight of our summer!

Navin, Refinery Fitness

Navin Chawla