OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang announced today, Jan. 28, that 35 additional residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases to 5,596.

Huang also reported that there is one additional COVID-19 related death in Oswego County. “This marks the 82nd neighbor we’ve lost,” said Huang. “Every death is an unfortunate development in our efforts to fight this virus and something that we never want to see. I would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of this patient.”

He added, “I urge our residents to remain diligent in these preventative measures. Wear a face mask, social distance, wash your hands frequently and avoid non-essential gatherings. These protocols are essential to reducing the spread of the virus and preventing future deaths.”

Huang also said that the need for the COVID-19 vaccine is much greater than the supply right now. “The vaccine continues to be available only in limited supply right now and there are still so many people who need to get their first shot,” he said. “We understand their frustration in trying to find an appointment and ask for their patience. We hope that this situation will change soon, and we can get more and consistent supplies of the vaccine.”

Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup added, “Our County Health department and our health care partners in the community are doing their very best to get the vaccine into the arms of our residents. Unfortunately, we have no control on the supply of vaccine. We can, however, help people get to their COVID-19 testing or vaccination appointments if they are having transportation issues. We have partnered with Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. to provide this free transportation to our residents.”

The Oswego County Health Department is also partnering with Pulaski Urgent Care to bring free COVID-19 rapid testing to various locations around the county. The first stop for the mobile unit will be at the Cayuga Community College campus, 11 River Glen Dr., Fulton. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Registration is required. Go to https://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=B9F8B497FE8A01ECE0530A6C7C16F2C4.

This report is current as of 3 p.m. Jan. 28.

Please know that these numbers fluctuate frequently. Recovered people are not deducted from the total number of positive cases.

• Total # of tests conducted: 130,465
• Total # of positive cases: 5,596
• Total # of positive cases released: 4,989
• Total deaths reported by the New York State Department of Health: 82
• Total # of positive cases active: 525
• Total # of negative results: 122,938
• Total # of people in mandatory isolation/quarantine: 1,151

Chairman Weatherup reminds residents that the virus is widespread throughout the county and people should assume they can be exposed to COVID-19 anywhere they go in Central New York. “I urge all of our residents to take action and do their part to stop the spread of this disease,” he said. “Wear a face mask over your nose and mouth in public, wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing. Comply with isolation and quarantine rules and, most importantly, avoid non-essential gatherings.”

Locations of recent public exposure are posted on the health department’s COVID-19 page at health.oswegocounty.com/covid-19. The public is urged to protect themselves as if they could potentially be exposed every time they are in public.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, chills, repeated shaking with chills, gastrointestinal illness and new loss of taste or smell.

Health officials strongly urge residents to take these precautions:

• Stay home if you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
• Wear a face mask or covering over your nose and mouth.
• Avoid non-essential gatherings of all types.
• Keep six feet from other people.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Call your health care provider from home if you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
• Do not go to the emergency department unless you are experiencing life-threatening conditions.

More information is posted on the health department’s COVID-19 page at health.oswegocounty.com/covid-19.

Call the Oswego County Health Department COVID-19 hotline at 315-349-3330 if you have any questions. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For information about emotional supports, visit the Oswego County Department of Social Services Division of Mental Hygiene at www.oswegocounty.com/mentalhygiene.

New York State provides online links to report violations of health and safety restrictions and requirements for businesses, gatherings and individuals. To file a complaint about a business, location or incident in your community, go to https://mylicense.custhelp.com/app/ask. To file a complaint against your employer or place of work, go to https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm.

Under New York State Public Health Law, the Oswego County Health Department is the sole local public health authority regarding the COVID-19 pandemic response over all persons and entities within the County of Oswego. The Oswego County Health Department works closely with New York State Department of Health regarding COVID-19 monitoring, response and reporting.