New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett is recommending Central New York residents where masks again due to high rate of COVID-19 cases in region.
COVID-19 cases and new hospital admissions are currently above above the state average in Central NY. In an April 1 press release, Commissioner Bassett urged Central New Yorkers to get fully vaccinated, boosted, tested if feeling unwell, and recommended wearing masks in all indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its COVID-19 Community Levels data tracker to signify 17 U.S. counties are considered “high risk,” including Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oswego counties in New York.
Broome, Cortland, Tioga, and Tompkins counties were designated as “medium risk.”
“The high number of COVID-19 cases in Central New York suggests that transmission of the virus is widespread throughout the region, and levels remain above the state average,” said Commissioner Bassett in a statement. “The good news is we have tools to address this. I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves and their families by getting a COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose when eligible, getting a test following exposure or when developing symptoms, staying home and isolating when symptomatic, talking to your healthcare provider about treatment if you do test positive, and recommend wearing a mask regardless of vaccination status in public indoor places. Treatment is widely available and works best if taken within five days of symptom onset, so get tested quickly after symptoms arise.”
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