OSWEGO COUNTY – According to the Oswego County Health Department, as of 3 p.m. today, there has been one additional case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since yesterday. The cumulative reported number is 69 cases across the county and of those, 57 have recovered and three have died.
Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup gave a video briefing today where he discussed the future of reopening Oswego County.
“A few days ago Governor [Andrew] Cuomo announced more information about reopening regions of New York state,” Weatherup said. “Oswego County is part of the Central New York region. For the past several weeks I’ve been in meetings with my counterparts in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland and Madison counties to work on the necessary steps for reopening. As much as all of us would like to have much of this behind us and have everyone healthy again, we must accept the fact that this will be a gradual process and it could take months. We really don’t know, at this point, how long it will take. The governor’s plan is very much data-based.”
The state will monitor four key factors to determine when a region can reopen. These factors include:
New infections: Regions must have fewer than two new COVID-19 patients admitted per 100,000 residents per day. This means roughly less than 15 per day in CNY’s five-county region. Rate of transmission needs to be 1.1 or lower. This number can be controlled if proactive practices are still observed, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.
Health care capacity: Every region needs to have the health care capacity to handle a surge of potential cases, meaning hospitals needs to have 30% of beds and ICU beds available and need 90 days of personal protective equipment available in stockpile.
Diagnostic testing capacity: Each region needs to be able to conduct 30 diagnostic tests per 1,000 residents per month.
Contact tracing capacity: Regions must have 30 contact tracers per 100,000 residents. This would be about 240 contact tracers for CNY. A contact tracer interviews a confirmed COVID-19 patient and reaches out to their contacts who may have been exposed to the virus.
At this time, the region is not ready for reopening in accordance to these requirements. Weatherup said CNY’s rate of infection is lower than other areas around the state and meets some of the criteria, but are working on the diagnostic and contact tracer components.
When businesses reopen, the most essential and with lower risks of infection and exposure will open first, followed by other businesses considered less essential or are a higher risk of infection spread. The four phases consist of 1. manufacturing and construction first; 2. restaurants; 3. recreation; and 4. entertainment. Each business must adhere to several new safety precautions. Regions cannot open attractions or businesses that bring in large groups of people.
“Oswego County is home to seven new car dealerships and a dozen used car dealerships,” Weatherup said. “To date, they have been allowed to offer online, and now, under strict new operating conditions that are consistent with other protective and preventative measures, these businesses in Oswego County will be allowed to include on-site sales as well.”
Weatherup said if someone goes to one of these dealerships, wear a face covering stay at least 6 feet away from others.
He also reminded the public there will be two free milk distribution sites tomorrow – one in the parking lot of the Walgreen’s Pharmacy in Central Square beginning at 12:30 p.m. and one at the YMCA in Oswego from 1 to 3 p.m.
Today’s statistics are below.
Oswego County:[1] (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: 9 (yesterday: 8)
Total # of positive cases: 69 (yesterday: 68)
Total recoveries: 57 (no change since yesterday)
Total # of deaths: 3 (no change since yesterday)
Total # people tested: 1,923 (yesterday: 1,859)
Total # of negative results: 1,780 (yesterday: 1,713)
Pending results: 68 (yesterday: 72)
Total # of people in precautionary quarantine: 55 (yesterday: 67)
Total # of people in mandatory isolation/quarantine: 59 (yesterday: 67)
Total completed/released from monitoring: 1,999 (yesterday: 1,918)
Unacast social distancing score (as of yesterday): D+[2]
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. The county does not release the town/city of individual cases. If there has been a new case and a new area has not been added, that means it is in an area that has already been affected before. Once an area is added it is not removed from the list because the county does not say when a town/city no longer has a case.
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: [3](as of yesterday)
Total # of positive cases: (the day before: 321,192)
Total # of deaths: (the day before: 19,645)
Unacast social distancing score (as of yesterday): C-
Watch today’s briefing given by Governor Andrew Cuomo here[4].
Other updates[5] from the state include:
Nonessential businesses will stay closed through May 15.
All K-12 schools and college facilities statewide will remain closed and continue to provide distance learning, meal delivery and childcare services for the remainder of the school year.
Governor Cuomo issued executive orders 202.17[6] and 202.18[7] requiring all people in New York to wear masks or face coverings in public, including when taking public or private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles.
New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through June 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
A collaboration with the Gates Foundation will develop a blueprint of what the new normal should look like for education, K-12 and college facilities.
A new contest asks New Yorkers to create and share a video explaining why wearing a mask in public is important. Interested applicants can go to wearamask.ny.gov[8].
Governor Cuomo extended an executive order[9] allowing out-of-state health care professionals to continue practicing in New York State.
Governor Cuomo outlined the four core factors to determine if a region can re-open: new infections, healthcare capacity, diagnostic testing capacity, and contact tracing capacity as well as outlining new safety precautions each business must implement.
The results[10] of the state’s completed antibody testing study show 12.3 percent of the population have COVID-19 antibodies.
The state is partnering with the Kate Spade New York Foundation and Crisis Text Line to provide a 24/7 emotional support service for frontline health care workers: workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access these emotional support services.
New York State-regulated health insurers will be required to waive cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, for in-network mental health services for frontline essential workers during COVID-19.
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 3:32 p.m)
Total # of positive cases: 1,216,739 (yesterday: 1,194,494)
Total # of deaths: 72,223 (yesterday: 70,272)
Total # of recoveries: 189,791 (yesterday: 187,180)
Unacast social distancing score (as of yesterday): C-
Worldwide:[12] (as of 3:32 p.m.)
Total # of positive cases: 3,724,688 (yesterday: 3,640,835)
Total # of deaths: 260,938 (yesterday: 255,096)
Total # of recoveries: 1,226,657 (yesterday: 1,186,730)
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[13]
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[14]
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[15]
These videos are briefings given by Oswego County officials Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
City of Oswego Emergency Assistance[16]
Fulton Coronavirus Hotline – 315-895-4767
Fulton COVID-19 updates[17]
Oswego County Health Department [18]
Oswego County Health Department COVID-19 dashboard[19]
New York Department of Health[20]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[21]
Unacast Social Distancing Scoreboard[22]
Where to get help with food and general assistance[23]
Oswego County Office for the Aging[24] – 315-349-3484
extended an executive order: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/amid-ongoing-covid-19-pandemic-governor-cuomo-extends-executive-order-allowing-out-state-health
New York State Department of Health: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing
Testing for Essential Workers in New York State: https://health.oswegocounty.com/information/2019_novel_coronavirus/NYS%20DOH%20Get%20Tested%20Flyer050402.pdf
Oswego County YouTube Updates: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ELFNINuYGu9umMYQoyKMg
City of Oswego Emergency Assistance: http://cityofoswegoemergencyassistance.org/index.html
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
Oswego County Office for the Aging: https://www.oswegocounty.com/departments/human_services/office_for_the_aging/index.php