Only One Case
Of Coronavirus
Remains Locally
That Patient Under Treatment
COOPERSTOWN – Otsego County is one case away from being coronavirus-free, according to the report released today by county Public Health Director Heidi Bond.
Of 62 total confirmed cases since the virus arrived, 57 of those infected have recovered. Four people have passed away. Bond confirmed that arithmetic.
That leaves one case, now being treated, according to the report, issued a few minutes ago of data on hand at 1 p.m.
However, danger remains. As of 1 p.m. today, 25 people are on quarantine/isolation, according to Bond’s report, although 240 people have been released from quarantine/isolation.
In all, 1,381 tests came back negative.
Bond encouraged everyone to continue to practice social distancing, wash hands and wear masks.
Based on these numbers, only about 2.3% of Otsego County residents have been tested, compared to about 5% of all state residents. We should not be lulled into a false sense of security by our low number of confirmed cases. We need to massively increase the number of tests across the state, and even more so in Otsego County. Until that happens, we really don’t know what we’re dealing with…so definitely keep up with social distancing, washing hands and wearing masks.
Thanks Doug, for your note of caution: ” We should not be lulled into a false sense of security by our low number of confirmed cases. We need to massively increase the number of tests across the state, and even more so in Otsego County.” Our leadership has motives other than its citizens’ safety in promoting a return to ‘normalcy’. Until a vaccine is created , normalcy is a cruel fantasy to end unemployment benefits and bolster Wall St.’s bottom line .
If we believe, as Cuomo said, that masks prevent infection, logically can’t we reopen safely? That is my opinion. Predictions that cases and deaths will increase while also stating that masks are key to keeping each other safe, those two statements collide logically.
Masks do make the virus less likely to spread the full six feet that it would in droplets in the air as it reduces the volume. It is not fool proof. N95 masks we had so much about only protect 95% them selves. Cloth masks help but not foolnproof. One thing to consider though even given their effectiveness currently is that younger children will not commit to wear a mask in school especially the young ones. Schools would need to open in order to support a massive return to work and “normalcy” . Kids touch their face with out washing hands incessantly as well. In some cases this applies to adults as well . We are all human. Wearing masks are part of a huge reduction effort however we have a long way to go with squashing the bug. The US is so huge and there are still many hotspots and people travel for work, for play, for family. This is a difficult situation.