Onondaga County

Following late night confusion, Central New York is able to start Phase Two of reopening. Reports began Thursday evening that Governor Andrew Cuomo would not be allowing any part of the state to begin Phase Two until a data review by international experts, causing frustration among local leaders and residents.

Data from the past two weeks points to Central New York entering Phase Two of reopening on Friday. However, which businesses are included in Phase Two is unclear. As of Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon’s Thursday briefing, New York State still had not issued any specific guidance.

The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Onondaga County was one of the lowest in weeks Wednesday. County Executive Ryan McMahon reported just 14 new cases of the virus, with only 3 of them from community spread.

Central New York continues its march towards Phase Two of reopening after the pandemic shutdown the local economy. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon reported the region is still meeting state mandates and is anticipating more guidance for businesses by mid-week.

As the community begins the Memorial Day weekend, the percentage of new asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in Onondaga County increased again. Officials reported that 53% of new cases over the last three days are from people with no symptoms. This comes with recent implementation of universal testing in the community.

A large number of new, positive COVID-19 cases in Onondaga County are from asymptomatic carriers. County Executive Ryan McMahon reported that 44% of cases this week were from people who exhibit no symptoms. 

The first day of Phase One in Onondaga County was a bittersweet one. County Executive Ryan McMahon reported 6 deaths in the community’s nursing homes. There is not much detail about who the victims were or where they died. The numbers are taken directly from state data.

Central New York officially got the green light from the State Thursday to start Phase One reopening. Businesses, both who are just starting to operate and those who have been operating, will need to certify that they have reviewed the guidance and create a safety plan.

  Onondaga County is now doing universal COVID-19 testing at the Syracuse Community Health Center, proactive testing in senior living facilities, and soon mobile testing in certain neighborhoods. The number of tests done in the county Tuesday alone topped 2,000.