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Sullivan County coroner: May saw no overdose deaths; morgue cooler replacement and lab storage moved
Summary
The county coroner reported 14 deaths in May, including no overdose deaths — the first time in a decade — and described ongoing work to replace a morgue cooler, remove lab storage from the morgue and secure occasional pathologist assistance.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. — The county coroner reported 14 deaths in May, including two autopsies and no overdose deaths, and updated the Public Safety Committee on steps to replace the morgue cooler and move hospital lab storage out of the coroner’s facility.
The coroner told the committee this was the slowest month in his 10 years as coroner and the first month without an overdose death. “This is the first time that we have not had deaths by overdose in the 10 years that I've been your coroner,” he said. He cautioned that 9-1-1 overdose calls continued across the county even though the county had recorded no overdose deaths in May.
On facilities, the coroner said the morgue cooler at Harris Hospital is moving along and the hospital had refurbished the existing cooler to maintain functionality until a new unit is installed; two designs were under review by the coroners and the hospital’s design firm. The coroner thanked a morgue assistant who arranged for the hospital lab’s slides and archived materials to be moved to Garnett in Middletown after the materials were taking up space in the morgue and risking a Department of Health violation.
The coroner also reported progress on pathologist staffing: a part-time pathologist used previously is now a head pathologist in Ulster County and may provide overflow assistance; another retiring pathologist has identified a potential successor who may provide occasional coverage.
Separately, in his public works remarks earlier in the meeting, Scott Schulte reported rabies-related bite counts for May 1–27: 16 dog bites, six cat bites and one bat bite across 10 municipalities. Sullivan County EMS held an awards ceremony during EMS Week and Deputy Commissioner Rao was recognized for decades of service, Schulte said.
