COVID-19 Statistics Update, October 20, 2020

OSWEGO COUNTY – According to the Oswego County Health Department, as of 3 p.m., there have been four additional cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since yesterday.

The cumulative reported number is 737 cases across the county and of those, 695 have recovered and four have died.

SUNY Oswego reported one new case since yesterday.

The Oswego County Health Department is investigating a confirmed case of COVID-19 in an employee of the Pit Stop Convenience Store, 181 E. First St., Oswego.

Customers who visited the convenience store on the following dates and times may have been exposed to COVID-19:

• Tuesday, October. 13, between 3:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.;
• Saturday, October. 17, between 12 noon and 6 p.m.; and
• Sunday, October. 18, between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

More information can be found here.

“COVID-19 remains in a mood of community transmission in our county,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang. “We have seen a trend of new cases in small clusters of families, households and groups. We are also seeing a recent trend of the virus spreading in many towns that aren’t related to the college population. We must remain cautious about COVID-19, and also diligent in practicing prevention measures such as frequent handwashing, face-masking and social distancing. These practices will also help prevent infections from seasonal influenza.”   

Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup today posted his weekly video update to the county government’s YouTube channel. In the video, he got his flu shot, administered by Immunization Coordinator Anna Reitz who talked about the importance of getting an early flu shot.

She said the county provides flu shots by appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and can also be accessed from local pharmacies and health care providers.

“It’s best to get one early in the season before influenza becomes widespread in our county,” Reitz said. “The vaccine helps protect your and your family from getting influenza and can make symptoms milder if you do get the flu. The more people who are vaccinated, the better protected our community is and the less [of a] burden it is on our health care system as we face the coronavirus this winter.”

Weatherup then discussed suggestions for those celebrating Halloween this year. He said door-to-door trick or treating and indoor costume parties are considered high risk for spreading COVID-19.

“There are many traditional Halloween traditions that have a lower risk of spreading infection and that we can still enjoy with family and friends,” Weatherup said. “Some examples are to carve or decorate pumpkins with members of your household, or with neighbors or friends at a safe distance outside; to have an outdoor Halloween-themed scavenger hunt; or have a Halloween movie night with members of your household.”

He said if families still want to go trick or treating this year, it is best to maintain social distance. He recommended households to set out individually wrapped goodie bags at the end of the driveway or yard for children to grab and go.

Most importantly, he said, if you feel sick or are under quarantine orders, please stay home and do not host or participate in Halloween activities. This includes people who have tested positive for the virus, waiting for COVID-19 test results, display symptoms, or may have been exposed to someone who had the virus in the last 14 days.

The county and Upstate University Hospital will offer drive-thru testing Monday, October 26, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cayuga Community College Fulton campus. Appointments are required. To make an appointment, email [email protected]; include your name, date of birth, and phone number. Or through Upstate’s MyChart if you have an activated account; or call 315-464-2778, choose option 0. Tests are available to anyone, and do not require symptoms to be present.

Today’s statistics are below:

missing or outdated ad config

Print this entry