OSWEGO COUNTY – According to the Oswego County Health Department, as of 3 p.m. today, there have been no new additional cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since yesterday. The cumulative number is still 50 cases across the county and of those, 30 have recovered and two have died.
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow and Fulton Mayor Deana Michaels held a press conference today to discuss updates regarding COVID-19 in both cities. That article can be found here[1].
Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended NY on Pause through May 15. More information can be found here[2].
Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup held a video briefing today, which was posted to Oswego County’s YouTube channel. He was joined by Dr. Christina Liepke from the county health department and Dr. Duane Tull from Oswego Health.
Liepke said the county’s numbers of positive cases are increasing by a handful a day, showing that social distancing is working. She discussed that people are avoiding getting medical care because of the fear and anxiety of contracting COVID-19 at a medical facility.
She said it is safe to get the medical care you need because with many appointments done via telehealth, the waiting rooms are often empty and are regularly disinfected, and if you have young children and/or infants, it is critical their vaccinations are done so on time.
Tull said other health concerns need to be addressed during the pandemic.
“Don’t be afraid to visit your doctor, hospitals or Urgent Cares if you need treatment,” Tull said.
Oswego County:[3] (as of 3 p.m.) Note, the total number of positive cases is cumulative and the number of recoveries and deaths are of those numbers.
Total # of active cases: 18 (no change since yesterday)
Total # of positive cases: 50 (no change since yesterday)
Total recoveries: 30 (no change since yesterday)
Total # of deaths: 2 (no change since yesterday)
Total # people tested: 1,112 (yesterday: 1,055)
Total # of negative results: 988 (yesterday: 945)
Pending results: 67 (yesterday: 53)
Total # of people in precautionary quarantine: 93 (yesterday: 79)
Total # of people in mandatory isolation/quarantine: 91 (yesterday: 81)
Total completed/released from monitoring: 1,044 (yesterday: 1,004)
Unacast social distancing score (as of yesterday): C-[4]
All known contacts of COVID-19 positive patients are being notified. In the event that a known case had public exposure when they were contagious, such as someone who worked in a restaurant, the county health department would alert citizens through the news media and social media.
Areas With Cases (alphabetical order): Note, no new additions were added today.
Boylston
Constantia
Fulton
Granby
Hastings
Mexico
Minetto
New Haven
Orwell
Oswego City
Oswego Town
Palermo
Richland
Sandy Creek
Schroeppel
Scriba
Volney
West Monroe
Williamstown
New York: [5](as of yesterday)
Total # of positive cases: 222,284
Total # of deaths: 12,192
Unacast social distancing score (as of yesterday): C
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced[6] he will be issuing an Executive Order to require everyone in New York state to wear face coverings while in public. Both the nose and mouth must be covered by a face mask, a bandana, etc. while in a situation where social distance is not maintained. The Executive Order will go into effect on Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m.
Learn how to make one with or without access to a sewing machine here[7].
Watch today’s briefing given by Governor Andrew Cuomo here[8].
Other updates[9] from the state include:
An executive order directs employers to provide essential workers with masks free of charge to wear when interacting with the public.
Schools and nonessential businesses will stay closed through April 29.
NYS will conduct antibody tests prioritizing frontline workers beginning this week.
Governor Cuomo issues an executive order requiring nursing homes to inform family members of residents of COVID-19 cases.
SUNY and CUNY are using 3D printers to produce personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers.
Governor Cuomo and several northeast state Governors announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy.
New Yorkers who have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to donate blood. Here’s information on how to donate[10].
New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through May 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
U.S.[11]: (as of 3:30 p.m.)
Total # of positive cases: 653,825 (yesterday: 614,482)
Total # of deaths: 30,998 (yesterday: 27,085)
Total # of recoveries: 53,629 (yesterday: 50,107)
Unacast social distancing score (as of yesterday): C
Worldwide:[12] (as of 3:30 p.m.)
Total # of positive cases: 2,127,873 (yesterday: 2,016,020)
Total # of deaths: 141,454 (yesterday: 130,528)
Total # of recoveries: 540,575 (yesterday: 504,254)
What It Means:
Status Required for Precautionary Quarantine – Person meets one or more of the following criteria:
has traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Italy or other areas of sustained transmission of COVID-19 while COVID-19 was prevalent, but is not displaying symptoms;
or is known to have had a proximate exposure (being in the same enclosed environment such as a classroom, office, or gatherings but greater than 6 ft from a person displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or someone who has tested positive for COVID-19) to a positive person but has not had direct contact with a positive person and is not displaying symptoms.
Status for Required Mandatory Quarantine – Person has been in close contact (within 6 feet) with someone who is positive, but is not displaying symptoms for COVID-19; or person has traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Italy, or other areas of sustained transmission of COVID-19 and is displaying symptoms
Status for Required Mandatory Isolation – Person has tested positive for COVID-19, whether or not displaying symptoms for COVID-19.
Testing Criteria For COVID-19:
If you have been quarantined and develop signs and symptoms
If you have had a negative flu test and respiratory panel and have signs and symptoms
If you have traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Italy, or other areas of sustained transmission of COVID-19 in the last 14 days and have signs and symptoms
If you have had close contact with a confirmed case and have signs and symptoms
If a physician has ruled out other causes and feels testing is warranted
Testing is done at the Oswego Hospital or the Pulaski Urgent Care. Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.
Guidelines from the Oswego County Health Department:
Stay home.
Avoid non-essential gatherings of all types and sizes. (All non-essential gatherings of any size are banned.)
Keep six feet from other people.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home if you are sick.
Call your healthcare provider from home if you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
Do not go to urgent care or an emergency department unless you are experiencing life-threatening conditions.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses.
Resources:
Oswego County COVID-19 Hotline: 315-349-3330
New York Mental Health Hotline: 1-844-863-9314
Oswego County YouTube Updates[13]
These videos are briefings given by Oswego County officials Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
City of Oswego Emergency Assistance[14]
Fulton Coronavirus Hotline – 315-895-4767
Fulton COVID-19 updates[15]
Oswego County Health Department [16]
Oswego County Health Department COVID-19 dashboard[17]
New York Department of Health[18]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[19]
Unacast Social Distancing Scoreboard[20]
Where to get help with food and general assistance[21]
Oswego County Health Department : https://health.oswegocounty.com/information/2019_novel_coronavirus/index.php
Oswego County Health Department COVID-19 dashboard: https://coronavirus-oswegocounty.hub.arcgis.com/
New York Department of Health: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Unacast Social Distancing Scoreboard: https://www.unacast.com/covid19/social-distancing-scoreboard
Where to get help with food and general assistance: https://www.oco.org/employee-portal/updated-food-resources-in-oswego-county-4-8-2020?fbclid=IwAR1kEbu_-tbBd8sW6BCuQhD6i3lLD1Gd92Vm5DXlxuzxDWMrTD2Hz7kN_EE