Sudden increase in COVID-19 cases in Chenango County
On Friday the Chenango Department of Health reported there were 55 positive COVID cases in Chenango County, and on Tuesday that number had risen to 89, an increase of 34. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)
CHENANGO COUNTY – Since Friday Chenango County health officials have reported 34 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths related to COVID.
According to Chenango County Director of Environmental Health and Code Enforcement Isaiah Sutton, the public should see these increases in cases and losses as a call to do better.
On Friday the department reported there were 55 positive COVID cases in Chenango County, and on Tuesday that number had risen to 89, an increase of 34.
“Each loss in this pandemic brings into stark focus its reality and severity,” said Sutton. “Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of the deceased.”
“We all must continue to follow best practices and make good decisions to protect ourselves and those around us.”
Sutton said the Chenango County Health Department would like to let Chenango County residents know that they are preparing for a possible spike in COVID-19 cases through the holiday season.
He said individuals who are tested positive for COVID-19 will continue to be asked about who they have come into contact with and where they’ve been as part of the contact tracing program.
“Contract tracing is helping us limit the spread of the virus by identifying people who may potentially be infected,” said Sutton. “People are compelled to share that information, and we generally don’t have issues with people sharing that because they understand the public safety risks.”
Sutton said the same goes for quarantine orders, which he described as a legal binding document.
“Our first goal is to use education and good will to show people that staying in quarantine is the best way to recover without putting other people at risk,” he said. “If people violate the quarantine, we try to help them get back on track by providing further education on why violating it can be dangerous for the general public.”
“If individuals disregard the quarantine orders, there would be a lot more cases in the area.”
He added that the department had issued a fine to one business, and a number of written warnings to several others.
Sutton said any changes to local businesses, like a second shutdown, would come through the New York State Governor's Office. He said other parts of the state are showing higher numbers, and those places would likely influence the rest of the state.
“While our numbers are on the rise, they’re not on the rise quite as fast as other parts of the state,” said Sutton. “We all have to work together in this, and for this to be successful we need the cooperation of the public.”
“Without their help and diligence we will continue to see a rise in cases.”
According to a statement from the Chenango County Department of Health, they are busy making the preparations needed to deal with any rapid COVID-19 increases in Chenango County, and plans are in place to deal with a surge in cases.
“More than one million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States over the last week. As cases continue to increase, the safest way to celebrate holidays or special events is to celebrate at home with the people you live with,” he added. “Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.”
“Please be aware of the following important points related to COVID-19 in Chenango County. We are increasing our contact tracing capacity to prepare for a surge in cases that could occur in the next few weeks through the middle of January.”
Department officials said social gatherings have now been identified as the number one spreader of COVID-19, and 65 percent of the new COVID-19 cases are from large social gatherings and parties over the 10 persons recommendation held during the Thanksgiving holiday week.
They said the Center for Disease Control and the New York State Health Department recommend staying home and not traveling this holiday season. They added that everyone should have celebrated Thanksgiving with only household members and groups under 10 individuals and not with relatives from out of state or persons outside of your household.
According to Chenango County Director of Environmental Health and Code Enforcement Isaiah Sutton, the public should see these increases in cases and losses as a call to do better.
On Friday the department reported there were 55 positive COVID cases in Chenango County, and on Tuesday that number had risen to 89, an increase of 34.
“Each loss in this pandemic brings into stark focus its reality and severity,” said Sutton. “Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of the deceased.”
“We all must continue to follow best practices and make good decisions to protect ourselves and those around us.”
Sutton said the Chenango County Health Department would like to let Chenango County residents know that they are preparing for a possible spike in COVID-19 cases through the holiday season.
He said individuals who are tested positive for COVID-19 will continue to be asked about who they have come into contact with and where they’ve been as part of the contact tracing program.
“Contract tracing is helping us limit the spread of the virus by identifying people who may potentially be infected,” said Sutton. “People are compelled to share that information, and we generally don’t have issues with people sharing that because they understand the public safety risks.”
Sutton said the same goes for quarantine orders, which he described as a legal binding document.
“Our first goal is to use education and good will to show people that staying in quarantine is the best way to recover without putting other people at risk,” he said. “If people violate the quarantine, we try to help them get back on track by providing further education on why violating it can be dangerous for the general public.”
“If individuals disregard the quarantine orders, there would be a lot more cases in the area.”
He added that the department had issued a fine to one business, and a number of written warnings to several others.
Sutton said any changes to local businesses, like a second shutdown, would come through the New York State Governor's Office. He said other parts of the state are showing higher numbers, and those places would likely influence the rest of the state.
“While our numbers are on the rise, they’re not on the rise quite as fast as other parts of the state,” said Sutton. “We all have to work together in this, and for this to be successful we need the cooperation of the public.”
“Without their help and diligence we will continue to see a rise in cases.”
According to a statement from the Chenango County Department of Health, they are busy making the preparations needed to deal with any rapid COVID-19 increases in Chenango County, and plans are in place to deal with a surge in cases.
“More than one million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States over the last week. As cases continue to increase, the safest way to celebrate holidays or special events is to celebrate at home with the people you live with,” he added. “Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.”
“Please be aware of the following important points related to COVID-19 in Chenango County. We are increasing our contact tracing capacity to prepare for a surge in cases that could occur in the next few weeks through the middle of January.”
Department officials said social gatherings have now been identified as the number one spreader of COVID-19, and 65 percent of the new COVID-19 cases are from large social gatherings and parties over the 10 persons recommendation held during the Thanksgiving holiday week.
They said the Center for Disease Control and the New York State Health Department recommend staying home and not traveling this holiday season. They added that everyone should have celebrated Thanksgiving with only household members and groups under 10 individuals and not with relatives from out of state or persons outside of your household.
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