Picente issues update from home after testing positive

UTICA, N. Y. » After testing positive for COVID- 19 on Tuesday, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente reported county updates through Facebook Live video while isolating in his home on Wednesday.

Before diving into pandemic related matters, Picente addressed the chaos occurring in Washington D. C. where rioters have stormed the Capitol building. He called the events “very disturbing” and said he hopes for the situation to resolve itself peacefully and that democracy can take its place.

The hospitalizations and new active case numbers reported Wednesday are again quite high. Picente noted that 356 new cases have been reported, adding to a total of 5,722 residents cur-

rently positive with the virus. Four new COVID- 19- related deaths were reported, making 252 total. 169 COVID patients are hospitalized within Oneida county, 11 are hospitalized elsewhere.

The county positivity rate, on a seven- day average, is 10.8%, Picente reported, just .1 percent higher than the regional rate of 10.7%.

Additionally, regional hospital bed availability is at 22%. “In other days, we were in the 40s,” Picente remarked, “well above the governor’s threshold of 30%.” The dip in hospital bed availability is something to be concerned about, he said.

Picente reported attending a special meeting, at his request, virtually on Tuesday with the county board of legislators to enact two pieces of legislation to help aid the county’s vaccination process. One such piece of legislation was authorizing $ 2.6 million in additional spending to allow the county to hire additional people, on a parttime basis, to administer the vaccine.

The county is searching for qualified “vaccinators,” anyone authorized by the state to give an injection, who will be willing to work for $ 22 an hour compensation.

“There is no more important priority in front of us than getting this vaccine out the door. It will save lives, it will save businesses, it will get us back on track to take advantage of the incredible progress that our community hasmade and has been making to date.”

Other support staff are needed who can assist with data collection and other logistics that do not directly relate to administering the vaccine. Anyone who believes they’d qualify in any capacity should visit ocgov. net and follow a link on the home page to view job listings.

Eligible residents in the state’s defined 1A category have already begun receiving vaccinations, Picente said. Officials noted that 180 more people should be vaccinated by the end of day Wednesday, he said, primarily those who will be administering the vaccine at different distribution points throughout the county alongwith others eligible.

Picente said the county has identified 40 potential sites to serve as vaccination distribution points, and as things start to ramp up, he projects being able to administer between 3,0004,000 doses a week, if not more. The first established vaccination site is at Mohawk Valley Community College.

Picente stressed that getting people vaccinated should not be limited at this time. By whatever means available, vaccinations should be widely available to those who need it and choose to take it, he said. Exploring extended hour clinics and clinics on weekends, or perhaps a drive- through style setup, may be appropriate, he said.

On Wednesday, Picente said he sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo asking him to reconsider aspects of the state’s vaccination plan.

Notably, Picente urged the governor to resist placing hefty fines on facilities that don’t meet certain requirements, and instead, strengthen the state’s partnership with these facilities. Additionally, expanding the scope of those eligible to get vaccinated, and streamlining information to local governments about how many vaccines there are and how many are coming, is of utmost importance, Picente wrote.

Allowing those 75 years or older to get vaccinated right away was of note in his letter, along with law enforcement, first responders, teachers, and 911 dispatchers.

In regards to his positive COVID- 19 diagnosis, Picente ensured the public that he’s feeling fine and does not have symptoms, saying he’s “one of the lucky ones.” He is isolating in his home for the appropriate time frame.

Picente received the test results just moments before a scheduled press briefing on Tuesday that was then canceled.

The news came as a shock to the county executive who says he’s been extremely cautious, avoiding social gatherings and even spending the holidays alone at home with his wife, Eleanor. “We did not entertain,” he said during his announcement video of his positive status.

“I have literally been in this office or at my home. We even have groceries and things delivered,” he shared. While at work, safety precautions are in place, he said, with everyone wearing masks, social distancing, and working in small groups when necessary. The county executive has reported getting tested at least twice a week since May of last year, and other colleagues also have been receiving regular testing.

“I can’t tell you how protective I’ve been and how cautious I’ve been,” he remarked.

“[ This] is a lesson that it can happen. [ Testing positive] can happen even to those of us who are the most cautious and most protective of ourselves, our families, and our friends,” he remarked. He shared his concerns for his wife’s status given his results, though he didn’t say whether she is also positive.

Anthony Picente