The first confirmed cases of Covid-19 hit Onondaga County Monday and changes to public life quickly followed. Drastic safety measures are being joined by calls for common sense.
Most health and county officials saw this coming. It was only a matter of time for the first confirmed case, the results found Monday morning. It is a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions. The patient has significant symptoms and is hospitalized. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta says her circumstances underscore the ongoing advice.
“This will be considered a community transmission because we don’t have any travel history, reminding everyone what we have been talking about the last few weeks in terms of social distancing and personal protective measures which everybody needs to do. It’s very important.”
The county announced a second case that was also confirmed Monday. It turned out to be the husband of the first case identified. County Executive Ryan McMahon in a release explained the situation further.
“The patient has been in isolation at home. This finding was not unexpected due to close contact with his wife. This transmission demonstrates why it is so important to practice personal protection measures and social distancing.”
County officials quickly moved up mandatory closing of schools to Tuesday. Just about the same time, a state order came down banning public gatherings of 50 or more, and closing all restaurants and bars to only take out service after Monday evening. That’s been extended to libraries, the zoo and all recreation programs in the city and county. McMahon says schools are all working out meal programs to continue, and day care for children out of school is critical.
“Continuity planning on child care is critical in this process beause we can’t have our hospital workers and our health care workers having to stay home to watch their kids when we need to have them in the hospitals.”
McMahon repeated a call to people not to panic, to shop normally, to stay away from those with any symptoms … and stay home if you have any.
SU DISCONTINUES ON CAMPUS INSTRUCTION
The news has prompted Syracuse University to end instruction on campus for the remainder of the spring semester. In a message to the University community, Chancellor Kent Syverud says the possibility of domestic travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine orders also factored into the decision. He says all students who can depart university housing for their permanent residence should do so as soon as possible. SU had transitioned to distance learning for students and has urged most staff to work remotely. Essential personnel only will report to work starting Tuesday.
SCSD OFFERS FREE MEALS
The Syracuse City School District will be offering free bagged breakfasts and lunches for pick-up to all children 18 and younger at nearly three dozen locations starting Tuesday. Meals will be available Monday through Friday from 10 to noon while schools are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Most of the locations are at schools, while others will be at community centers, churches, and non-profits. Anyone quarantined, medically high risk, or with immobile students can call 435-4207. A list of sites is below:
Bellevue Elementary School (530 Stolp Ave, Syracuse, NY 13207)
Deleware Primary School (900 S. Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY 13204)
Dr. Weeks Elementary School (710 Hawley Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203)
Franklin Elementary School (428 S. Alvord St., Syracuse, NY 13208)
LeMoyne Elementary School (1528 LeMoyne Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208)
McKinley-Brighton Elementary School (141 W. Newell Street, Syracuse, NY 13205)
Meachem Elementary School (171 Spaulding Ave, Syracuse, NY 13205)
Porter Elementary School (512 Emerson Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204)
Salem Hyde Elementary School (450 Durston Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203)
Seymour Elementary School (108 Shonnard Street, Syracuse, NY 13204)
STEAM @ Dr. King Elementary School (416 E. Raynor Ave., Syracuse, NY 13202)
Syracuse Latin School (345 Jamesville Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210)
Van Duyn Elementary School (401 Loomis Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207)
Webster Elementary School (500 Wadsworth Street, Syracuse, NY 13208)
Brighton Academy Middle School (309 W. Brighton Ave, Syracuse, NY 13205)
Clary Middle School (100 Amidon Dr., Syracuse, NY 13205)
Ed Smith PK-8 (1106 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210)
Frazer PK-8 School (741 Park Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204)
Huntington PK-8 (400 Sunnycrest Rd., Syracuse, NY 13206)
HW Smith PK-8 (1130 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY 13224)
Lincoln Middle School (1613 James St., Syracuse, NY 13203)
Corcoran HS (919 Glenwood Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207)
Henninger HS (600 Robinson Street, Syracuse, NY 13206)
ITC HS (258 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13202)
Nottingham HS (3100 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13224)
PSLA @ Fowler (227 Magnolia Street, Syracuse, NY 13204)
Westcott Community Center (826 Euclid Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210)
Peace Inc. East (202 Beech St., Syracuse, NY 13210)
Peace Inc. West (200 Wyoming St., Syracuse, NY 13204)
Mary Nelson Youth Center (2849 S. Salina St. Syracuse, NY 13205)
Burnet Park (Coleridge & Grand Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204)
Central Library (447 S. Salina, Syracuse, NY 13202)
Payton Temple (1816 Midland Ave., Syracuse, NY 13205)
People's AME Zion Church (2306 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13205)
CITY OF SYRACUSE CANCELS RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Effective as of 3:00 p.m. Monday, the following City of Syracuse Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs are cancelled and closed until further notice. This includes:
- Arts & Craft classes at the Burnet Park Arts & Crafts Facility. The facility will be closed.
- Aquatics activities are now cancelled at all locations: Huntington, Valley and Southwest Pools. Pools will remain closed. Staff are currently contacting registered participants.
- Ice Skating at Meachem and Sunnycrest Ice Rinks. Both rinks will be closed.
- Senior exercising classes at the Bob Cecile and Magnarelli Senior Centers. Both Centers are closed. Times and locations for senior meal distribution will be provided as details are finalized.
- Youth Community Centers are closed, including: Lou Bova Butternut Community Center at Schiller Park, Magnarelli Community Center at McChesney Park, Seals Community Center at Kirk Park , Wilson Park Community Center, and Westmoreland Community Center. Meal distribution information will be provided as details are finalized.
- Adult Leagues: Men’s basketball at Frazer on Wednesdays and Women’s at Magnarelli Community Center on Mondays are cancelled until further notice.
- Permits: All league and facility permits are not being issued until further notice. Current permit holders will be contacted when we have more information.
- After-School Programs: Ed Smith School and the Northeast Community Center are cancelled Monday, March 16 - Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
For updates on Parks, Recreation and Youth programming visit: https://syracuse.recdesk.com/Community/Page?pageId=23756.
ONONDAGA COUNTY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CLOSURES
In this press release, County Executive McMahon announced the following measures to take effect as a result of the COVID-19 virus:
- Effective close of business tomorrow - Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 through Tuesday, March 31st 2020 - County Executive McMahon has ordered that a minimum of 50% of Onondaga County employees work from home. Employees will be directed by their department head whether to report in person or work from home. They will also be compensated through March 31st, 2020. As the situation evolves, these dates could change.
- Essential services will still be open. This includes: all public safety related departments as well as all public benefits services;
- All public benefits services including, but not limited to, Temporary Assistance, Medicaid, HEAP, Childcare, Child Support and SNAP, will take place only on the 2nd floor of the Civic Center. Signage will also direct individuals where to go;
- Vital Statistics and Clinics will be closed;
- Should a member of the community need to use any other service located within the Civic Center or Kochian Office Building, they are asked to please call ahead first.
- All libraries will be closed effective 4:00 P.M. today – Monday, March 16th, 2020.
- The Rosamond Gifford Zoo will be closed effective 4:00 P.M. today- Monday, March 16, 2020.
- Effective immediately, all Onondaga County Parks recreational programs and events are cancelled through the end of April.
- All Onondaga County Parks bathrooms will be closed effective immediately
- All Onondaga County Parks buildings will be closed effective immediately
- Parks grounds will remain open, but the public is reminded to practice social distancing should they choose to use them.
Most importantly, the County Executive is reminding members of the public to come together, stay calm and not let the anxiety of the situation win. People are reminded to wash their hands and exercise responsible social distancing.
