The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Oneida County moving forward
Rite Aid to offer testing
UTICA, N.Y. »
With NY on Pause being extended to May 15 via Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s orders, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. and others in the Central New York region are looking to devise a structured plan to reopen businesses safely and effectively.
As of April 18, the number of positive cases reported in Oneida County has risen to 279. Of that total, 76 cases have resolved and have been released from quarantine. 31 are hospitalized, with 25 admitted within the county and 6 cases admitted outside. Unfortunately, 7 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported.
It would seem that the rate of increase is starting to level off in Oneida County, and surrounding areas such as Madison County are seeing promising results in their case analysis.
However, Oneida County’s numbers are still high relative to other areas, and precautions continue to reduce the spread and keep people safe.
In regards to Cuomo’s executive order to extend closures until the 15, Picente addressed the need for better communication with upstate leaders.
His biggest issue? The lack of clarity on what happens when May 15 rolls around. Picente shared his ideas for a detailed process to get residents off their feet come the reopening date.
Picente said he believes that due to the differences in upstate and downstate including population, test results, density, economy, and an array of other factors, that it may be possible, if done diligently, to get more businesses running sooner rather than later.
He stated that “every job is essential and has a distinguished purpose in our landscape.” Some of these jobs, Picente stated, have the ability to reopen while also protecting public health through following protocols, restrictions, social distancing measures, and more.
“It’s important that we get people back to work under safe conditions,” he said. According to Picente, certain “non-essential” businesses should be able to reopen under the same restrictions that “essential” businesses must adhere to. In coordination with surrounding counties, he hopes he and other leaders can devise a plan for who can open, under what conditions, and when.
To be clear, Picente stated, “We’re not ignoring the governor’s orders in any way shape or form. We are trying to put forth a complete plan for our residents and our businesses.”
He referred to specifics services, such as eye doctors and dentists, that hold an essential role in society. Now with an understanding of how to conduct business in COVID-19 times, these establishments have the ability to perform their duties while keeping the public and their employees safe, Picente stated.
To be clear, no one has yet to receive the green light to open. More planning and coordination with Cuomo is still necessary. Additionally, Picente said the May 15 date will be followed unless determined otherwise by the governor.
While taking a look at how exactly the county will move forward the next few weeks leading up to May 15, Picente admitted that increased testing is crucial. The information received from expanded testing may guide the way to reopening society safely and more effectively.
In the same vein, Cuomo has issued an executive order directing all NYS public and private labs to coordinate with the State Department of Health to prioritize diagnostic testing.
Additionally, Rite Aid announced that it is opening a new COVID-19 self-swab testing site in the Utica area, located at 4854 Commercial Drive in New Hartford, on Monday, April 20. This site will complement testing already occurring in hospitals.
Testing will be administered in the store’s parking lot and will be overseen by Rite Aid pharmacists. Rite Aid reported that they expect to be able to conduct more than 200 tests daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eligible individuals are required to pre-register and schedule appointments online at www. riteaid.com. Rite Aid reported plans for more sites to open up around the country.
Oneida County Director of Public Health Phyllis Ellis emphasized that this testing is not for the “worried well,” and that certain criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must still be met. Those who do get tested, she said, must stay home and quarantine until results are in.
The county continues to alert the public when the spread of infection may be pinpointed to certain areas, and the following notices have been issued:
On April 11 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., an Oneida
County resident who has tested positive for COVID-19 was reported to have been at:
• Dollar Tree located at 1100 Mohawk St., Utica
• Walmart located at 710 Horatio St., Utica
Officials said the risk to the public is low as the individual was wearing a mask and gloves. Anyone who was at these locations during that time period, should monitor themselves for symptoms through April 23 and contact their health care provider if symptoms develop. You do not have to automatically self-quarantine.
Additionally, on April 11, an Oneida County resident who has tested positive for COVID-19 was reported to have been at:
• Beer Here, New Hartford Shopping Center (1212:30 p.m.)
• Peter’s Cornucopia, New Hartford Shopping Center (12:45-1:30 p.m.)
• Bremer’s Wine & Liquor, 4684 Commercial Drive, New Hartford (2:30 to 3 p.m.)
Officials noted the risk to the public is low to medium as the individual was wearing a mask. Anyone in these locations on that date, should monitor themselves for symptoms through April 25 and contact their health care provider if symptoms develop. You do not have to automatically self-quarantine.
Lastly, Oneida County was notified that an outof-county resident who has tested positive for COVID-19 was reported to be at:
• Big Lots located at 1146 Erie Boulevard West in Rome on April 8, 2020, between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Nicky Doodles located at 4971 Route 365 in Verona on April 8, 2020 (no specific time available)
Those who were at either of those locations during those time periods should monitor themselves for symptoms until April 22. You do not have to automatically self-quarantine just because you were there during those times. Should symptoms develop between now and April 22, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Picente stated that announcements such as these will continue as needed. To those who worry about hotspots or particularly “infected” areas, Picente says that the virus is everywhere, and the risk is everywhere. If a known “cluster” or outbreak in a particular area should occur, the public will be notified, he said.
For those worried about loved ones in nursing homes or other care facilities, Cuomo has issued an executive order requiring nursing homes to inform family members of residents of COVID-19 cases.
Ellis explained that COVID-19 reporting guidelines were already being recommended to these facilities and that the executive order will hopefully increase proper reporting, as many facilities are already doing.
The Oneida County Government website continues to be a central resource for COVID-19 related guidance and information.
On the website, employers who need to provide their employees with face masks can find a link to a survey to participate in a consortium to buy the required masks at a lower price through Mohawk Valley EDGE.