It’s been a hard week fighting COVID-19 for Onondaga County. The county recorded 348 new cases of the virus Thursday, and 6 people died. County Executive Ryan McMahon said the grim reality is that the virus is back in local senior living facilities.
“There’s no sugar coating where we are with the fact that the virus, you never want anyone to get sick with this. But you really don’t want your seniors to get sick with this, especially your seniors who have pre-existing conditions and that’s what’s happening.”
Of the 43 cases related to senior facilities Thursday, 42 were attributed to residents. The high number of cases across the community also means record high numbers of hospitalizations. McMahon emphasized that stabilizing the healthcare infrastructure is essential to lifting any economic restrictions.
‘If you don’t have hospital beds to treat your sick, there will be restrictions and that’s just the reality of the situation. If you can’t treat your sick, you have a problem as a community,” said McMahon.
The county is bringing back its senior support line, providing assistance with rent, energy bills and food. They’re also upping their testing capacity, including continued asymptomatic testing across the area. McMahon said while there are a lot of negatives in current data, there are some positives.
“But the one positive is there is a vaccine and we got to get there. It is up to us on how we get there and how many people are impacted in that process.”
He’s been in discussion with state and federal partners on how it will be distributed. More information on testing, pandemic assistance and resources are available on the county's website.
ONONDAGA COUNTY ADDS MORE ASYPTOMATIC TESTING CLINICS
Onondaga County will offer more asymptomatic testing sites next week as officials try to contain the coronavirus. All testing requires pre-registration.
Tuesday:
- Northeast Community Center (Syracuse)
- Fayetteville Village Hall (Fayetteville)
Wednesday
- South Side Innovation Center (Syracuse)
- Shove Park (Camillus)
Friday
- Slaina Town Hall (Liverpool)
Make an appoitmenthere.
