The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
County office buildings to open Monday in Madison County
WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » Madison County has shared some updates surrounding reopening and the effects of COVID-19.
County offices will be opening Monday, June 8. Service is by appointment only and can be scheduled over the phone.
Officials shared that employees will be screened daily to ensure the safety of employees and patrons. Employees must also wear masks and face coverings if they cannot maintain six feet of social distancing or if they are meeting with the public.
Cleaning protocols for facilities staff have increased, said County Administrator Mark Scimone, adding “We have set up Plexiglas barriers, we have installed touchless bathroom fixtures for public bathrooms and for employee bathrooms as well, and we have guidelines in place for break rooms and any of our conference rooms.”
Any persons exhibiting any form of illness are advised by officials to stay home. Masks are required upon entry unless an individual is unable to wear one for medical or safety reasons.
“Unfortunately, our DMV is not going to be open,” Scimone announced. “[DMV staff] are doing a lot of work behind the scenes that folks are aware of, processing registrations...but licenses they can not do right now.”
The County hopes that Phase 3 will get the public back to the DMV.
“If you drop something off, 48 hours is about the turn around time,” Scimone assured of the DMV’S currently available services.
A 24-hour drop box outside located in the parking lot of the Madison County office building is available for residents to deposit
registration forms and renewals.
Phase 2 so far has been going well, officials commented. “We have had no increase, spikes, or anything like that. We are still averaging one or two positives of community spread cases per day, which is excellent,” Scimone stated.
Madison County Public Health Director Eric Faisst added, “It has been over three weeks since Phase 1 reopening. It has been two weeks since Memorial Day weekend, and one week since Phase 2 reopening. We are continuing to have on average one to two cases per day, and that is really good news.”
Additionally, restaurants have been given the green light from the state for outdoor dining. Scimone commented, “We are encouraging all of our residents to please frequent the Madison County restaurants—buy local. Support these businesses that have been out for months now.”
Officials anticipate further
guidance coming from the state concerning churches and other faithbased gatherings within the immediate future. “It has been a very difficult time for everybody,” Scimone confessed.
Faisst announced recent data for COVID-19 in the county. The current number of active cases, 12 residents, is the lowest its been in a while, he stated.
In addition, 26 people recovered on June 4, of which 22 were residents from the Grand nursing home, showing that the elderly are not always doomed to this virus, though it may seem that way.
The number of COVID-19 related deaths in Madison County has risen to 15, however.
Faisst commented, “Sadly we learned yesterday that four people who were in isolation due to COVID-19 at the Grand passed away over the last few weeks. Our department just learned about those deaths yesterday. According to the Grand, these individuals
were asymptomatic and had other health conditions. However, since they were positive for COVID-19, these deaths will be considered COVID related deaths.”
He added that the county continues to assist the New York State Department of Health in working with the Grand nursing home.
The total number of recovered cases in the county
is 327. The county has reported 354 positive COVID-19 tests since the beginning.
For more COVID-19 related information, visit Madison County online.
“We have had no increase, spikes, or anything like that. We are still averaging one or two positives of community spread cases per day, which is excellent.”
— Mark Scimone,county administrator