One COVID Death, Numbers Still Low in Oneida and Herkimer
Another person has died of COVID-19 in Oneida County, but the number of new cases, active cases and hospitalizations continues to be low.
The local death becomes a part of the national total of COVID deaths that topped 500,000 on Monday afternoon. The total number of deaths from the virus in Oneida County is now 389, the majority of those coming since late October. Herkimer County s death total is now 92.
The positive news is the number of new daily cases which have declined significantly from December and early January when new cases were over 300 per day. Oneida County s health department reported 43 new cases and Herkimer County added only five new cases. Hospitalizations are also down significantly with 48 residents in Oneida County, and 18 in Herkimer County, hospitalized.
The number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and active cases have plateaued in Oneida and Herkimer Counties, but the rate remains much higher than the summer and fall, according to numbers released by the two counties on Saturday.
Oneida County Surpasses 100 COVID Deaths in January
The prediction made at Halloween and before the holidays was simple: if we let our guard down, people will die from COVID-19. The prediction by health officials was correct and the numbers prove it.
At the end of the July, it seemed that Oneida County had defeated the virus. During August, September and October, COVID deaths were under control. Most days there were no deaths, and when there was, it was almost exclusively only one. That all changed at the end of October.
There were four deaths in September, and four in October. After Halloween, cases started to increase dramatically. We no longer enjoyed single digit increases in cases as the COVID rate skyrocketed. We watched new cases surpass 100, then 200, and even 300 by late December. Hospitalizations rose accordingly and so did fatalities.
COVID-19 Numbers for Saturday, January 30th
It was another day of condolences for Oneida and Herkimer Counties as more deaths were reported today from COVID-19. Six people died in Oneida County and there was one new death in Herkimer County.
Oneida County had 141 new positive cases for a total of 3,801 active positive cases. 119 Oneida County residents are hospitalized and being treated for the virus. Herkimer County added 37 new cases for an active case total of 807. 35 Herkimer county sidings are hospitalized with the virus.
The focus for so many people continues to be the lack of vaccine availability. SUNY POLY in Marcy continues vaccinate residents but no new appointments are being made. Oneida County continues to be out of the vaccine, and released this statement on Saturday.
Saturday COVID Numbers, Deaths and Low Vaccine Supply
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Oneida County continued to grow on Saturday while the vaccine supply for county-run vaccination sites hit zero. Meanwhile. 4 people died of the virus in Oneida County, brining total fatalities from the virus to 316.
Oneida County reported no new vaccination supply and they have officially paused their county operated PODs awaiting another shipment. This comes as New York State opened a facility at SUNY POLY in Marcy, where vaccines are being administered, yet according to Governor Cuomo, new appointments can t be made because it too is out of vaccinations. Cuomo said they are awaiting a new supply from the federal government.