The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
DRAMATIC INCREASE
Madison County sees uptick in COVID-19 cases
WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » Madison County’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases continues to rise dramatically.
The amount of active cases has more than doubled since May 2, with there now being 121 active cases in total.
County officials said many of the new cases are from isloated incidents.
There have been several positive cases confirmed at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing in Chittenango and among workers of the Green Empire Farms in Oneida.
Madison County Health Department said they are working closely with the New York State Health Department, who regulates nursing homes, regarding the positive cases within the facility.
County officials said they are working hard to make sure measures are in place to limit exposure for the staff and residents of the facility. There is limited risk to the surrounding community.
According to county officials, another reason for the uptick in positive cases is that Madison County began to see some positive test results from workers at Green Empire Farms.
As a result, MCDOH worked closely with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to set up a testing site to test all of the workers at the greenhouse and those in close contact with them.
On the first day of testing, the county was able to test 186 people. The major
ity of the new positive cases are a direct result of conducing this targeted testing.
Overall, the county has seen 243 positive tests since the pandemic hit locally, and 117 of these cases have since recovered. The number of COVID-19 related deaths increased to six.
A resident at The Grand who was elderly and had underlying health conditions died as a result of COVID-19.
“We have always known that if we test more people that there is the possibility of more positive test results,” Public Health Director Eric Faisst said in a news release. “We decided to conduct a joint test site with these workers because we knew that a large number of people were possibly exposed. We now understand how much this virus has spread within this community so that we can better contain it.”
The Madison County Health Department and
Office of Emergency Management are working with Green Empire Farms, MAC Contracting who employ some of the employees there, and other local businesses to make sure that all of those impacted by this virus are provided for and receive appropriate education and care.
“We understand that this drastic uptick in numbers can be concerning for our residents. Please know we are doing everything we can to protect our residents, but we need your help and cooperation,” Faisst said. “I would like to remind the public that people should wear a face covering when you are out in public, especially when they are unable to maintain social distancing, such as when in a store.
“Also, members of the public should be staying home. Do not go out unless you have to, and if you do go out, wear a face covering. We all have to be smart. If anything can be learned from these numbers, it is that this virus spreads quickly and easily. These guidelines are for all of our protection to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
For those wondering about what flu activity is occurring alongside this new virus, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH) has provided some information. So far, over the span of a 28 week recorded flu season, there have been 157,758 confirmed positive flu cases reported to the NYSDH, as of April 11.
Comparatively, COVID-19 has been evident in the state for a much shorter time but has made a much larger impact. Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in NYS on March 1. Since then, in just over nine weeks, there has been a reported total of 318,953 COVID-19 positive cases in the state as of May 3, according to the NYSDH’S online COVID-19 tracker.
According to a weekly NYSHD influenza surveillance report, during the week ending April 11, the number of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza in the state was 22, a 50% decrease over the week prior.
Additionally, Madison County reported two positive flu cases in the same time week ending April 11, according to the NYSDH online flu tracker.
More recent flu data for the state is not yet available. The NYSHD website states, “This report is temporarily suspended due to small numbers of influenza cases and to shift surveillance efforts to COVID-19.”
Officials noted how Madison County has taken action to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by giving residents access to free hand sanitizer. Using hand sanitizer is a convenient alternative to hand washing to disinfect one’s hands.
The hand sanitizer can be used before and after shopping trips, before and after entering public spaces, and whenever they may be soiled with germs.
According to a county report, in the past week, hand sanitizer was distributed to over 1,500 cars. Chairman John Becker said that the Madison County Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with the Towns and Villages, have set up additional distribution locations across the county to pass out hand sanitizer.
Below are the dates of the hand sanitizer distributions:
• Tuesday, May 5, 2020@ TX Body:• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Lincoln, Lincoln Town Hall 6886 Tuttle Rd. Canastota, NY 13032
• 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Stockbridge, Town Hall/highway 5314 NY-46, Munnsville, NY 13409
• Wednesday, May 6, 2020@TX Body:• 10 a.m. 12 p.m.: Madison, Madison School 7303 US-20, Madison, NY 13402
• 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Hamilton, Hamilton Highway Garage 7648 Cranston Rd. Hamilton, NY 13346
The scheduled times are a guideline as distribution is based on while supplies last, the county said. Additional dates and locations will be added, and some products have previously been handed out during the milk distributions in Deruyter, Lenox, and Eaton as well as given to Cazenovia and Brookfield for other ways of distribution.
“Madison County has been working hard to provide supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks, surgical
gowns, and other PPE to our health care providers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Director of Emergency Management Dan Degear said. “We also have been distributing hand sanitizer to essential businesses like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Now we have enough of a supply that we are able to provide hand sanitizer for our residents as well.”
Madison County will bring sanitizer to the designated distribution sites which will be set up in a drive-through fashion. It is important for residents to remember to continue following social distancing recommendations.
The county asks that residents please remain in their vehicle and wear a face covering when visiting the distribution site. Madison County staff involved in the distribution process will be wearing face coverings, as well.
For more information about COVID-19, visit Madison County online or call the Madison County non-medical COVID-19 Hotline at 315366-2770.