Paul Kirby is reporting for the Daily Freeman Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced August 15 that a countywide rapid response plan is under development to help with the reopening of schools located in the county in September and October. In a press release, county officials said the five-part plan will focus on setting guidelines for proper screening and testing processes, investigating positive cases through contact tracing, offering support for school-specific isolation plans, establishing a communication plan between the county and individual school districts, and providing personal protective equipment for students and faculty. The county will provide nearly 30,000 masks for students and staff at school districts planning on opening and public health nurses will be placed on standby to support districts and to respond to potential clusters and other health-related scenarios. Ulster County is currently in the process of finalizing plans to test all school staff prior to schools reopening for in-person instruction. Ryan met last week with school superintendents from all nine districts located within the county to discuss the rapid response plan. As of Sat., Aug. 15, Ulster County reported 96 active cases and a total of 93 deaths. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.