Watch today’s briefing given by Governor Andrew Cuomo here[4].
Other updates[5] from the state include:
- Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, North County, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions have met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state’s regional phased reopening plan[6].
- NYS on PAUSE will continue through May 28 for regions that have not started reopening; a region can enter Phase One of reopening as soon as it meets its required metrics.
- Governor Cuomo released a guide[7] to the state’s “NY Forward Reopening” Plan, along with the state’s regional monitoring dashboard[8].
- New York State has doubled testing capacity to reach 40,000 diagnostic tests per day, and has more than 700 testing sites. We encourage eligible New Yorkers to find a nearby testing site and get tested.
- A two-week hospital visitation pilot program[9] in 16 hospitals across the state will allow increased visitations for family members and loved ones.
- Memorial Day ceremonies of 10 people or less will be allowed statewide, with final decisions about ceremonies being left to local governments.
- New York is bringing in international experts[10] to help advise the state’s reopening plan.
- Testing efforts will be increased to help nursing homes meet guidelines stating all staff be tested for COVID-19 twice per week.
- Governor Cuomo called on the FDA to ensure that pharmaceutical corporations that produce a COVID-19 vaccine release the rights to provide the vaccine for immediate widespread distribution.
- In coordination with neighboring states, public and private beaches will open with certain restrictions on May 22, ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
- Governor Cuomo issued executive orders 202.17[11] and 202.18[12] requiring all people in New York to wear masks or face coverings in public[13], including when taking public or private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles.
- New York has issued first-in-the-nation criteria[14] to healthcare professionals establishing an interim definition for COVID-related inflammatory illness in children[15].
- New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through June 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
- Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services.
- 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.[16]: (as of 3:32 p.m)
- Total # of positive cases: 1,520,029 (yesterday: 1,500,753)
- Total # of deaths: 91,187 (yesterday: 90,312)
- Total # of recoveries: 283,178 (yesterday: 272,265)
- Unacast social distancing score (as of today): D-
Worldwide:[17] (as of 3:32 p.m.)
- Total # of positive cases: 4,872,308 (yesterday: 4,775,000)
- Total # of deaths: 321,593 (yesterday: 313,973)
- Total # of recoveries: 1,671,375 (yesterday: 1,612,924)
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, or Italy, 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, or Italy, and is displaying symptoms.
Status for Required Mandatory Isolation – Person has tested positive for COVID-19, whether or not displaying symptoms for COVID-19.
Status for Total Positive Cases Recovered – Person no longer has fever for 72 hours, symptoms have improved, and they meet the requirements to be released from mandatory isolation set by the New York State Department of Health.
Protocol for Testing – New York State Department of Health[18]
As New York State aggressively expands COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity, the Department of Health has revised guidance to increase testing for frontline workers, including all first responders, health care workers, and essential employees who interact with the public, while continuing to prioritize resources.
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.
Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider for individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- An individual is symptomatic or has a history of symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, and/or trouble breathing), particularly if the individual is 70 years of age or older, the individual has a compromised immune system, or the individual has an underlying health condition; or
- An individual has had close (i.e. within six feet) or proximate contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19; or
- An individual is subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine; or
- An individual is employed as a health care worker, first responder, or other essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working; or
- An individual presents with a case where the facts and circumstances – as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state or local department of health officials – warrant testing.
Testing for Essential Workers in New York State[19]
Guidelines from the Oswego County Health Department:
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Wear a face mask or covering over your nose and mouth.
- 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, unless you are seeking health care.
- Call your healthcare provider from home if you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
- Do not go to 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 COVID-19 Mental Health and Crisis Hotline: 315-343-5507
- Oswego County YouTube Updates[20]
- These videos are briefings given by Oswego County officials Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
- City of Oswego Emergency Assistance[21]
- Fulton Coronavirus Hotline – 315-895-4767
- Fulton COVID-19 updates[22]
- Oswego County Health Department [23]
- Oswego County Health Department COVID-19 dashboard[24]
- New York Department of Health[25]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[26]
- Unacast Social Distancing Scoreboard[27]
- Where to get help with food and general assistance[28]
- Oswego County Office for the Aging[29] – 315-349-3484
Links For Statistics:
- Oswego County[30]
- Oswego County Health Department
- New York state [31]
- New York Department of Health
- U.S. [32]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Worldwide[33]
- Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center