Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

SU Halts In Person Classes, New State Rules Take Effect As COVID-19 Cases Rise in CNY

Onondaga County
/
Facebook

Onondaga County saw its largest caseload yet on Wednesday with 222 new COVID-19 cases reported. The active number of cases also reached a record high in the county, climbing to 968. County Executive Ryan McMahon said doctors are learning how to better treat the virus and get patients out of the hospital more quickly.

McMahon said the community should expect case numbers to be high for the next few days.

“We are seeing an uptick in cases now. Essentially, go back 10, 12, 14 days, and that was Halloween,” said McMahon. “The contact tracing shows clearly that there were multiple events around the community that lead to multiple spread and this wasn’t just college kids. This wasn’t high school kids. Although that happened too."

McMahon continued, "These were neighborhood parties, professionals of all sorts. It was us. So there’s consequences of our actions now. We have high cases, high stress on our medical infrastructure.”

Restrictions from the state “yellow zone”designation also went into effect Wednesday in addition to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s new statewide regulations. This includes a 10 p.m. closing time for restaurants, bars and gyms and a 10 person limit on indoor gatherings.

The rise in coronavirus cases is also affecting Syracuse University. Chancellor Kent Syverud said in an emailto the campus community Wednesday that SU will transition to all online classes for the remainder of the semester starting Thursday. Students can still get grab and go meals at campus dining halls and schedule health and counseling appointments.

“I regret we have to pause now, but it is the right decision. As we have done since the beginning of this pandemic, we must continue to prioritize the health and wellness of the campus and broader Syracuse communities,” said Syverud in the email.

“Our active cases remain small in comparison to our population and other universities of similar size. Even now, we have no documented cases of COVID-19 infection that have been traced to an exposure in the classroom. Nevertheless, concluding residential instruction now best protects the health and safety of our community as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.”

Syracuse University is asking students to get tested for the virus three days prior to leaving campus and wait for test results to come back. Testing is offered at the University Stadium every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.