Confusion over the average number of COVID-19 tests done in the Central New York region was resolved Tuesday during a phone call with region representatives and state health officials.
“The State Department of Health has agreed that they’re not going to wait for this data to go to the lab,” said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. “And then once the lab gets caught up, send it to DOH for it to hit. We will certify the results and then the State DOH will use that for the three day average and the seven day average.”
Reaching 775 tests per day was the last state requirement Central New York had to fulfill in order to start the reopening process. The state health department had previously recorded a lower number of tests for the region, based on the number of tests that had been processed in labs rather than the number of tests that were done per day.
Ryan McMahon reported 888 tests were returned on Tuesday, and he estimated thousands were being conducted at the Syracuse Community Health Center.
“Our three day average is going to be so high that it would qualify a seven day [average]. That’s my point,” said McMahon. “We’re testing 2,000 to 4,000 people today. So you could take...It doesn’t matter what day average you do.”
If the average is reached, Central New York could begin phase one reopening on Friday. McMahon also shared the second sales tax payment from the shutdown period. Onondaga County sales tax revenue is down 6.4% year over year. McMahon said it’s important the next federal aid package provides support for local governments.
