The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
LIFTING RESTRICTIONS
Madison County ends voluntary stay home orders
“Currently, we have a hundred people who have recovered from this virus in Madison County and have under 20 active positive cases. However, we need to remain diligent; lifting the voluntary order does not give us a green light to let down our guard.”
— Madison County Public Health Director Eric Faisst
Public safety protocols remain essential, but restrictions are being uplifted as the COVID-19 numbers in Madison County continue to level off.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 123 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Madison County.
A large majority of these cases have recovered, and now 18 cases remain active as of April 22. The county has reported a total of five deaths related to the virus.
Madison County Board of Supervisors and Madison County Health Department announced on Wednesday the lifting of the April 7 voluntary stayat-home orders, which asked residents to alternate days they go out for necessary items to stop the spread of the virus.
As part of Madison County’s recovery plan, officials decided to lift the voluntary order ahead of its original end date of April 28.
The county said the decision was guided by New York state’s face covering requirement coupled with data that shows the community’s efforts to social distance are working.
“Thank you to the community for all of their efforts,” Madison County Public Health Director Eric Faisst said in a news
release. “Currently, we have a hundred people who have recovered from this virus in Madison County and have under 20 active positive cases. However, we need to remain diligent; lifting the voluntary order does not give us a green light to let down our guard.”
Faisst says this does not mean that residents should go out whenever they like— they should continue to stay home and only go out in public only when it is essential. Wearing face coverings in public, social distancing, and other preventative measures remain in place and should continue to be followed, the County stated.
Further, Madison County reminded residents that lifting the county’s voluntary order does not change the New York state order that schools and non-essential businesses across the state remain closed until at least May 15, 2020.
“The governor continues to say that New Yorkers should stay home as much as possible and limit how much they are out in public,” the county stated.
“We continue to work on a recovery plan here in Madison County,” Madison County Chairman John Becker said in the news release. “Lifting the voluntary order is just the beginning of putting our plan into action.
“Madison County is working hard to get our community back to work, get our schools, businesses, hospitals, and much more back to normal. We are working together with our neighboring counties to make sure our plans compliment each other, and at the same time are safe according to public health standards.”
Protecting one another is still important. The county wrote on their Facebook page, “This is a time for our community to take extra measures to help protect people who are most vulnerable from COVID-19. Older adults and people of all ages with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and a weakened immune system have a greater risk for serious complications from the virus.” The County warned that serious illness may result in hospitalization or even death.
To protect the vulnerable as well as others, Madison County continues to urge residents to do the following:
• Check-in on vulnerable individuals daily by phone or online.
• Offer to run errands or get groceries for neighbors in need. Deliver items on the porch or just outside the door.
• Avoid all in-person visits with family and friends. Hold virtual visits and celebrations instead.
• When in public, wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth, and maintain social distancing of 6 feet.
• If you live with someone who is vulnerable, make sure you remove your shoes and wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds when you get home.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects every day, such as doorknobs, light switches, tables, phones, and keyboards, and disinfect them with products suitable for protecting against COVID-19.
More COVID-19 information and resources can be found on Madison County’s website.
Due to a decrease in the number of calls, the Madison County COVID-19 Hotline hours have been changed to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents can call the Madison County non-medical COVID-19 Hotline at 315-366-2770 with questions they have regarding the COVID-19 virus.this hotline is not for people experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Madison County asks that those who are sick or feeling mildly ill to please stay home and monitor their symptoms. Call your primary health care provider if you have any questions or, if you do not have a health care provider, please contact the Upstate University Hospital Triage Line at 315-464-3979. The county would like to remind residents to not go directly to the emergency room or their health care provider without calling ahead. If emergency warning signs develop (such as difficult breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face), call 911 and get medical attention immediately.