Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon highlighted the large number of people who are using Onondaga County’s healthcare infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said cases in Onondaga County rose to 322 Friday but local hospitals are serving around 800 COVID-19 related cases.
"During different days throughout this process, when other parts of this state have run out of testing, these individuals have found their way to Onondaga County. And we have never turned them away,” said McMahon. “They received tests. We are the front lines for Central New York and Northern New York. And I think it’s important that we continue to be recognized as a front line for a whole region of this state by the federal government and the state of New York."
Meanwhile, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that allows him to redistribute surplus ventilators across the state. McMahon said while he hasn’t heard from the Governor’s Office, he doesn’t think the state will pull equipment from the county.
“Why do I think I’m not going to hear from them?” said McMahon. “Because they’re giving me PPE when they have surpluses of PPE. They’re helping provide some of that to us.”
He added that if it appears Onondaga County can meet needs locally, it will do more to help the state during this crisis.
STATE AG ISSUES CEASE AND DESIST NOTICES
State Attorney General Letitia James is ordering 15 medical transportation companies in Syracuse and dozens of others across upstate to stop providing group rides. An investigation by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that many of the providers have failed to follow state requirements prohibiting them from having more than one occupant. James calls the violations unacceptable during an unprecedented outbreak of a highly contagious disease.
WEEKEND WALKS IN THE PARK
The City of Syracuse will be closing the roads to vehicles in four large city parks every weekend starting this weekend to encourage people to enjoy city parks while also social distancing. The widened walking paths in Upper Onondaga, Thornden, Lincoln, and Burnet parks will be open from 8 to 4. The city will provide maps at entrances showing where people can park and the routes they can walk or run. Schiller Park walking loops are already closed to cars. Heath, Elmwood, and Sunnycrest park hiking trails are also open. Officials warn, though, to avoid congregating in large groups and to pass at a safe distance. All other park amenities such as restrooms, playgrounds, basketball courts, exercise equipment, picnic tables, and benches are closed.
The maps will be available to download here.
NEW ONLINE EXITING ISOLATION TOOL
County Executive Ryan McMahon said that the Onondaga County Health Department has developed a new tool for those exiting COVID-19 quarantine. A new password protected online portalwill allow residents in isolation to respond to a form that will then be reviewed by staff. McMahon says it will make the process faster, but the end of the process has not changed. People will still need a phone call from the health department to be officially out of isolation.
