COVID-19 Report for Feb. 22, 2021

OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang announced today, Feb. 22, that 45 additional residents have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total cumulative number of positive cases since the county began monitoring for COVID-19 in March 2020 to 6,219. There are currently 131 active positive cases.

“The 45 positive cases reported today are a combined total from the last three days,” said Huang. “There were 15 new cases reported each day on Saturday, Sunday, and today.”

He reminded residents that, although the daily counts are lower than what they were in the last two months, the virus is still active in our community. “We must continue our efforts in following the safety protocols,” he said. “As a community, we have to remain vigilant to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbors. Wear a face mask, social distance, wash your hands frequently and avoid non-essential gatherings.”

Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup added, “This downward trend is very encouraging. It shows that the work we’ve done is making a difference against the virus. Still, we’re not out of the woods yet. We’re increasing COVID-19 testing, tracing close contacts and vaccinating eligible people as soon as we have vaccine available. We ask residents to continue to be patient and maintain safe behaviors.”

The Oswego County Health Department is partnering with Pulaski Urgent Care to bring free COVID-19 rapid testing to various sites around the county. The next stop for the mobile unit will be at the Hannibal High School, 928 Cayuga St., Hannibal. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Registration is required. Go to https://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=BB76EF0B3295136EE0530A6C7C16B3A9.

A partnership between Oswego County and Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. provides free transportation for residents to go to COVID-19 test and vaccination sites. Transportation is available between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 315-598-1514 to schedule a ride in advance.

This report is current as of 3 p.m. Feb. 22.

  • Total # of positive cases currently active: 131

The following numbers are cumulative since the county began monitoring COVID-19 in March 2020. They are updated weekdays to show new cases or changes. Those who have been released are not removed from the running total.

  • Total # of tests conducted: 147,517
  • Total # of negative results: 139,182
  • Total # of positive cases: 6,219
  • Total # of positive cases released: 5,999
  • Total deaths reported by the New York State Department of Health: 89
  • Total # of people in mandatory isolation/quarantine: 331

The Oswego County Health Department is administering vaccines to eligible groups in the most efficient way possible. For details, please go to the New York State phased distribution guidelines at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine#phase-1a---phase-1b.

“It is wonderful to know that many of our community members are anxious for this vaccine and we share in their enthusiasm for taking this next step toward ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Huang. “At this time, requests for the vaccine continue to outnumber the amount of vaccine that is available. In addition, delivery of the vaccine was unfortunately interrupted last week by inclement weather across the country. We continue to ask for patience as we work through this process together. As vaccine becomes available in Oswego County for eligible groups, we will announce scheduled clinics and the targeted populations to be vaccinated by the local health department as directed by the state.”

New York State has a wide network of vaccine dispensers. It has assigned hospitals to vaccinate the Phase 1a population of doctors, nurses, and medical workers. Local health departments are charged with vaccinating essential workers identified as part of Phase 1b – first responders, educators, front-line workers facing the public such as cashiers, and others.

Local pharmacies are charged with vaccinating those aged 65 and older. In Oswego County, these pharmacies include various Kinney Drugs and Walgreens locations as well as the Wayne Drugs A Health Mart Pharmacy in Oswego. Please do not call the pharmacy for appointments. Appointments must be made online through the Kinney Drugs, Walgreens or Wayne Drugs - A Health Mart Pharmacy websites. Please visit https://www.kinneydrugs.com/locations/appointments/NY/ or https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-vaccine.jsp?ban=covid_vaccine_brandstory_main_Jan2021 or https://stores.healthmart.com/waynepharmacy/stores.aspx to schedule an appointment.

As vaccine supplies continue to be inconsistent, clinics are usually not scheduled until the provider knows how much vaccine they are receiving from the state and when. People need to keep checking the websites frequently.

People aged 65 and over who need assistance may also call the Oswego County Office for the Aging at 315-349-3484 for help navigating the internet in making appointments.

Eligibility determination and a list of nearby providers where appointments can be scheduled are available through New York’s “Am I Eligible?” app at https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or by calling the New York State Vaccination Hotline, 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829).

Please continue to check this page https://health.oswegocounty.com/information/2019_novel_coronavirus/covid-19_vaccine.php for updated clinic information.

Oswego County is part of the CNY Regional Vaccination Network.  Click here for more information: https://www.upstate.edu/coronavirus/covidvaccine/.

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 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and holidays. 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.