Positive cases nearly unchanged in Saratoga County
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » As the current “NY on Pause” plan to reopen the state timetable closes in on the May 15 start date, Saratoga County Department of Health Services confirmed 398 positive Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the county, an increase of one from the previous day.
Of the confirmed cases, six individuals are hospitalized — an increase of two from May 9. The death toll remained unchanged at 14. The New York State Department of Health, meanwhile, reported that 6,670 county residents have been tested for coronavirus through May 9.
The state’s plan for reopening starting May 15 includes metrics that regions must meet before reopening can begin. The metrics can be found at https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/new-yorkforward.
According the state chart, the Capital Region, consisting of Saratoga, Albany, Columbia, Greene, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Warren and Washington counties, has met four of the seven metrics required. It has met the listed metrics of:
• 14-day decline in hospital deaths or fewer than 5 deaths (three-day average)
• New hospitalizations (under 2 per 100K residents — 3-day rolling average)
• Share of total beds available (threshold of 30 percent)
• Share of ICU beds available (threshold of 30 percent)
According to the chart, the three metrics not yet met are:
• 14-day decline in hospitalizations or under 15 new hospitalizations (3-day average)
• 30 per 1K residents tested monthly (7-day average of new tests per day)
• At least 30 contact tracers per 100K residents
Saratoga County officials are stressing that businesses cannot reopen until an Executive Order from the Governor allows it.