Governor Cuomo gave another update this afternoon on the effects that the coronavirus is having on New York State. The total number of positive Coronavirus tests is over 83,000, with over 12,200 hospitalizations, over 3,000 on ventilators in ICU Beds, over 6100 people have been discharged from hospitals after beating the virus, and the number of deaths in New York State is 1,941.
————————————————–
Governor Cuomo announced today that over 80,000 eligible healthcare workers have volunteered to re-enlist and by hired by hospitals, to address the need for staffing as the number of Coronavirus cases continues to increase:
(Cuomo 4-1-20)
Cuomo also said that they have successfully established the Hospital Network Central Coordinating Team to help facilitate a coordinated approach among the all the state’s hospitals in combating Coronavirus, the Team is led by the State Department of Health, then hospitals will be able to efficiently share information, supplies and staff, as well as transfer patients between hospitals as needed.
—————————————————
While state leaders deal with the Coronavirus, the state’s new fiscal year starts today & a budget deal is needed. State Budget Director Robert Mujica said that the operations part of the budget is reduced because the state is not seeing any revenue now, likely through July 15th:
(Robert Mujica 4-1-20)
Governor Cuomo said that the Leaders in both house of the legislature are meeting with their caucuses today to work out an agreement, which he hopes is passed by midnight tonight.
———————————————————
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said that she & other members of the New York & New Jersey Congressional Delegation have sent a letter to US Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar today, to get federal help form the recently passed CARES act to the region as soon as possible to help the beleaguered health care system deal with the Coronavirus:
(Gillibrand 4-1-20)
Gillibrand said that she refers to the 2 trillion dollar CARES act as a down payment in the battle against the Coronavirus, which will likely spread through the entire country with similar number to New York State, China, Italy, Spain & other hard hit areas.
——————————————————
Delaware County Public Health reported that today is the opening day of trout season, traditionally a busy day on Delaware County waterways, but with the onset of the Coronavirus, officials remind people to stay home and when out limit any contact with others. The State DEC and the State Department of Parks and Recreation have posted warnings, State parks have remained open and they remind visitors to limit outdoor recreational activities & avoid activities where you may come in close contact with other people. The DEC reminds people to Fish Close to home, & Keep a distance of 6 feet or more from others.
The Otsego County Department of Health reports that there are 16 lab confirmed cases of COVID 19, of those 16 cases the age ranges from 20 to 75 years of age. There has been 1 death and 1 person has recovered and has been released from isolation; the remaining 14 cases remain on isolation. Officials reported that 37% of the reported cases have no known exposure and 63% have either an exposure to a positive case or have travelled to New York City prior to the onset of symptoms.
—————————————————-
Delaware County Public Health received two laboratory confirmed positive COVID-19 reports. The total of laboratory confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Delaware County is 14. The investigations are ongoing and all contacts are being notified and quarantined. Two (2) individuals have fully recovered and are no longer in isolation. 6 cases are recovering at home, 6 cases are isolated and receiving medical care in a hospital. 140 people have been tested.
—————————————————-
Chenango County Health Department announced that they have 14 positive cases of the Coronavirus, with 10 more positives over the weekend.
——————————————–
The Otsego county Chamber of Commerce is asking members to take the County Economic Business Impact Survey to help better understand the needs of our local business community during the COVID-19 crisis. The survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/otsegocovid19impact.
—————————————————
The State Department of Labor released unemployment rates for February. The number of private sector jobs in the State was better than 8.3 Million, the State’s unemployment rate decreased to 3.7%, Chenango County’s rate in February was 5.5%, Delaware County 5.4% & Otsego County had 5.1%.
—————————————————
Bassett Healthcare officials announced that there has been an outpouring of generosity from area communities, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bassett still needs additional personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators and surgical masks, Gloves, Face shields, Hand sanitizer, Procedure masks & Gowns. Donated supplies can be delivered to the closest hospital in the Bassett Healthcare Network, where a box is clearly marked for donations. More information is available at Friends of Bassett at 547-3928 or 1-800-BASSETT or online at friendsofbassett.org.
———————————————————————