Oneida County reported four deaths related to COVID-19, the largest one-day number of fatalities yet, even as Madison County got word it can join its neighbors in the first phase of reopening today.
The four deaths reported Thursday involved three residents of nursing homes and one in the Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy. The center provides care to persons incarcerated in the state and county correctional systems.
"Our hearts and sympathies go out to those families," Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said. "It shows how violent this virus can be ... Today is one of those somber days."
Oneida County reported 19 newly lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among county residents Thursday, bringing its total to 699 since tracking began in March. Twenty-eight county residents were hospitalized as of mid-day Thursday, including three at Rome Memorial Hospital, 22 at hospitals of the Mohawk Valley Health System, and five in hospitals elsewhere.
The deaths come as the county prepares to enter the first phase of the lifting of restrictions on businesses, effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Manufacturing and construction not already given essential status, and retailers with curb-side and in-store pickup may resume operations, as can agriculture, forestry and hunting not already exempt as necessary for food production. It's the first of four phased liftings allowed by region, with a new phase set to start every 14 days provided a region's indicators of spread of COVID-19 do not surge again.
The deaths and slight uptick in cases and hospitalizations, though not enough to block the first phase in the region, show how volatile the situation is and highlight the importance of all businesses, employers and individuals' efforts, Picente said.
"It's so important that people continue to wear masks, social distance, continue not to congregate until we get through these numbers to a situation where other things can move forward."
On Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the Central New York region, which includes Madison County, had met the seventh and final criterion for joining the first re-opening phase by providing the target number of tests. The target is 30 tests per 1,000 residents tested monthly as measured by the seven-day average of new tests daily. For the region, that means 775 tests.
The Mohawk Valley, North Country, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier were given the go-ahead earlier in the week.
Businesses are to maintain pandemic-fighting practices. The state offers lists of best practices and plan templates through its Empire State Development agency, and Oneida County has produced its own guidelines and checklists on its website, ocgov.net.
In addition, Picente on Thursday lauded the work of a consortium of employers in the manufacturing sector who have been in operation under essential-business exemptions but have not had a single confirmed case of COVID-19 among their employees. The effort was led by Indium Corp., the homegrown Clinton-headquartered supplier of materials used in the worldwide semiconductor and electronics industries with local facilities in Rome and Utica.
The group includes 13 companies across 17 sites and representing some 2,000 employees in all.
Indium President and Chief Operating Officer Ross Berntson, joining the county daily briefing by phone, described the program as including a commitment to follow state business guidelines but also one that has members pledge further procedures. Examples are checking people who enter for temperature and symptoms, a special room where employees who develop symptoms can get personal protective equipment to go home safely, break rooms spaced for social distancing, and employees who volunteered to change shifts to maintain distancing.
Picente also announced that the Oneida County Public Market will start its main season Saturday but with adjustments. The farmers market is held Saturdays at the county-owned Union Station in Utica. Its remaining winter market days were cancelled in March, but such markets are allowed as part of the essential food system.
Adjustments include mandatory wearing of masks among vendors and customers, greater separation between vendor booths, entry and exits controlled to one location each, and frequent cleaning and sanitizing of booths. Cloth masks will be available at the county information booth. Children will not be allowed, and there will be no live entertainment.
Re-opening of the regional economy, even though it's gradual, is stressful, Picente said. Numbers of cases may grow, he acknowledged, but the key will be keeping them below a threshold that could trigger delaying the next phase of lifting of restrictions. While violators could be charged with violating a public health order and the Sheriff's Office has had to break up gatherings, it's largely up to individuals to do what is right, Picente noted.
"That yellow light is flashing. That means we've got to be cautious."
Similarly, Cuomo urged residents to not let down their guard as much of upstate enters a new phase. Speaking at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, Cuomo acknowledged there's no specific state law governing personal and group actions but everyone should consider how what they do affects others.
"It's your family, it's your friend. We have guidelines, we have best practices. We can tell you what we think is smart but that's up to individuals. That's why we say inform yourselves... There's no law or regulation that tells you how to interact in your personal relationships. I hope you do it smartly, but that's up to you."
Cuomo also deferred when asked if the State Fair in Syracuse can go on this year. That depends on the situation in the weeks leading up to it, Cuomo said.
The governor also commented on the outbreak at Empire Green Farms, the vegetable and fruit greenhouse complex in Madison County at which more than 100 employees were confirmed to have COVID-19, including seasonal workers housed in Oneida County. The issue isn't agriculture, but large gatherings, and shows that COVID-19 is not just in big cities, Cuomo said.
"My basic point is do not underestimate this virus. It has beat us at every turn and it has surprised us at every turn."
Thursday was the 75th day since the state's first confirmed case, Cuomo said. The state on Thursday reported 157 deaths Wednesday, including 121 in hospitals and 36 in nursing homes.
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