P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-28-21

State Attorney General Letitia James today released a report on her office’s ongoing investigations into nursing homes’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. James said that a larger number of nursing home residents died from COVID-19 than the State Department of Health’s published nursing home data reflected and may have been undercounted by as much as 50%, and that the Government guidance requiring the admission of COVID patients into nursing homes put all residents & staff at increased risk.  State Assemblyman Joe Angelino comments:

(Angelino 1-28-21)

State Senator Peter Oberacker said that he thinks that The Governor Executive powers need to be scaled back or rescinded & that Health Department Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker needs to resign:

(Senator Oberacker 1-28-21)

The investigations also revealed that nursing homes’ lack of compliance with infection control protocols put residents at increased risk of harm, and facilities that had lower pre-pandemic staffing ratings had higher COVID-19 fatality rates. Attorney General James is conducting ongoing investigations into more than 20 nursing homes that had Insufficient personal protective equipment, insufficient COVID-19 testing for residents and staff,  & Governor Cuomo’s state reimbursement model for nursing homes gave a financial incentive to owners of for-profit nursing homes to increase their own profit instead of investing in higher levels of staffing and PPE.

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Bassett Healthcare Network & the state Department of Health, is offering free COVID-19 rapid testing in February at Oneonta Health Center at 125 Main Street specifically for individuals who have no symptoms of the virus, but who wish to be tested. Appointments are required at 433-6510, the testing will be offered Saturday, February 6th & Saturday, February 20th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

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Chenango County Public Health reported 2 more COVID 19 deaths today, bringing their total up to 39.  The County reports 179 Active Cases, 512 Quarantines & 17 Hospitalizations. 

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The State Health Department reported Additional cases of the UK variant have been identified throughout New York State. The new cases have been found in Long Island, New York City, Westchester, Saratoga, Tompkins, Niagara, Onondaga, Essex and Warren Counties, bringing the statewide total to 42 known cases.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado announced the reintroduction of their “Rebuild Rural America Act” which would deliver federal resources directly to rural communities as they respond to, and recover from, the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, Congressman Delgado explained during a ZOOM press Conference this morning:

(Congressman Delgado 1-28-21)

Gillibrand and Delgado said that they will urge their Congressional counterparts to include the Rebuild Rural America framework in the upcoming coronavirus Stimulus package in order to deliver at least $50 billion in direct relief to small towns and rural communities.

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The Delaware County Board of Supervisors approved of the purchase of property to begin the construction of new Department of Public Works facilities.  Delaware County Public Works Commissioner Sue McIntyre comments:

(Sue McIntyre 1-28-21)

McIntyre said that the projects will be going out for bid shortly; she said that the existing Page Avenue structure in Delhi is beyond the point of repair at a reasonable cost to County Taxpayers.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-28-21

Chenango County Public Health administered 615 doses of Moderna vaccine; they began with the first eligible groups, which included doctors, nurses, as well as law enforcement, fire personnel, EMS & adult care facilities.  Clinics were also held at the Broad Street Methodist Church & Bartle’s Pharmacy in Oxford.

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The Sidney Central School District reported 2 positive COVID-19 cases, 1 teacher and 1 Kindergarten student have tested positive. The last time the student was on campus was Wednesday, January 20th.  The Delaware County Health Department has conducted an investigation and the contact tracing has been completed. There will be no change to the instructional model at this time. The exposure has been minimized in this case

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Delaware County Public Health reported 15 new COVID cases Wednesday; they report 20 hospitalizations, 163 active cases & 329 quarantined.

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Otsego County Health Department reported 20 new COVID cases Wednesday, with 17 hospitalized & 1 new death reported.  The County has had 9 deaths since January 1st & 28 since last spring.

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State Police are looking to connect unclaimed items with their rightful owners.  Last August, the items were discovered in possession of individuals that were arrested at a motel in Oneonta, Troopers believe that the items were taken from storage units, sheds or possibly vehicles last summer in the Oneonta area.  The items include jewelry, electronics, tools and household items.   State Police are inviting anyone who believes they may have items taken to stop by the barracks at 199 Oneida Street; Oneonta on Wednesday, February 3rd between 1:00 & 3:00 PM, more information is available at 432-3211.

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