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COVID-19 Update: Upstate Nurses Head To Long Island To Help Fight Coronavirus Outbreak

Onondaga County Executive's Office
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Youtube

Doctor Robert Corona announced 22 nurses from Upstate University Hospital will travel downstate to Long Island to help in COVID-19 efforts. Stony Brook University Hospital is building a 1,000-bed hospital on their football field and calling for staffing help as they become overwhelmed with positive cases.

Upstate Chief Nursing Officer Nancy Page says nurses from neighboring counties will also head downstate. 

“The passion for our patients and the passion for nursing’s profession is really the selfless driver of these incredible staff,” said Page. 

Locally, Onondaga County had 25 new cases for a total now of 422 positive COVID-19 cases. County Executive Ryan McMahon shared examples of what he calls “avoidable behaviors” that lead to increased community spread. At the top of that list: going to work when sick. 

“We’re not trying to shame anybody,” said McMahon. “We’re trying to show the public that this is real. That what is good intentioned, normal behavior, everyday from six weeks ago, that same behavior, good intentioned, normal behavior today, gets people sick.”

Onondaga County’s social distancing grade from Unacast went up to a B, but McMahon said we must continue to modify behavior in order to contain and starve the virus. 

 

POSSIBLE PUBLIC EXPOSURE

Onondaga County Health Department announced two new locations of public exposure at the Wednesday COVID-19 briefing:

  • Ollie’s Bargain Market (3150 Erie Boulevard East): March 30th, April 1st
  • Colonial Laundromat (408 Oswego Rd): March 31, April 1st, April 2nd

People who were in those places on those dates are advised to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. County Executive Ryan McMahon reiterated that being in one of those places does not guarantee that you have been exposed to the virus, but there are gaps in the health department’s investigation regarding direct contact with the patient.
 

Katie Zilcosky is WAER’s All Things Considered host and features reporter. She also co-hosts WAER’s public affairs show Syracuse Speaks. As a reporter, she focuses on technology, economy, and identity.