OSWEGO, NY – Oswego County Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang announced today, Aug. 30, that 327 additional residents have tested positive for COVID-19 this past week. This brings the total cumulative number of positive cases since the county began monitoring for COVID-19 in March 2020 to 9,005.
There are currently 371 active positive cases.
Weekly accumulated case counts continue to rise, and Oswego County’s community transmission level remains “high” according to the CDC. Huang reminds residents that the Delta variant of the coronavirus is more infectious than other strains that have circulated. “While we have seen positive cases of COVID-19 in fully vaccinated people, it is important to remember that the vaccine is effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.”
Huang encourages residents to get vaccinated. “For those who have not yet received the vaccine, it’s not too late, you can still get vaccinated and protect your family and friends. The more people get vaccinated, the better we can protect those who are not eligible for the vaccine so far, especially those who are very young.”
He went on to remind residents that COVID-19 vaccines are broadly available throughout the county.
“Vaccines are available at clinics offered by the County Health Department, at area pharmacies, and through community health care providers.”
This report is current as of 2 p.m. Aug. 30.
– Total # of positive cases currently active: 371
The following numbers are cumulative since the county began monitoring COVID-19 in March 2020. They are updated weekly to show new cases or changes. Those who have been released are not removed from the running total of positive cases.
– Total # of tests conducted: 254,477
– Total # of negative results: 242,290
– Total # of positive cases: 9,005
– Total # of positive cases released: 8,543
– Total deaths reported by the New York State Department of Health: 95
– Total # of people in mandatory isolation/quarantine: 852
With schools preparing to open for the new year, now is a good time for parents to get their students aged 12 years and above vaccinated against COVID-19. The Oswego County Health Department will hold two vaccination clinics this week.
The first is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 31 at Cayuga Community College, 11 River Glen Drive, Fulton. From 1 to 3 p.m., health staff will administer the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine to those aged 12 years and over. This is a two-dose vaccine, so those who attend should plan to go to the Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., Oswego on Tuesday, Sept. 21 for their second shot.
From 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, health staff will administer the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine to those aged 12 years and over at the Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., Oswego. Again, this is a two-dose vaccine, so those who attend should plan to return on Wednesday, Sept. 22 for their second shot.
“Our COVID-19 vaccine clinics are open to anyone who is eligible for the vaccine, regardless of where they are in the series,” said Oswego County Medical Director Dr. Christina Liepke. “At any of our clinics, patients can come in for their first, second or third dose.”
She continued, “Patients do need to talk with their health care provider before they come to the clinic to find out if they should receive a third dose, because only certain people with underlying conditions need it.”
“A third dose is different from a booster,” she explained. “Immuno-compromised patients who need a third dose should get it 28 days (or later) after their second dose. In contrast, a booster is given to all patients several months after they complete their vaccine series.
The CDC and FDA are reviewing evidence on the potential need for a booster after any of the vaccines. Once this review is complete and if booster doses are recommended, we will be offering those as well.”
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, click on the “Fact Sheet” link for each one at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/.
Walk-ins are welcomed, though appointments and online pre-registration are still appreciated. Call 315-349-3330 to make an appointment or go to https://health.oswegocounty.com/ and click on the link
“For Local Information About the COVID-19 Vaccination.” All Oswego County COVID-19 vaccination clinic registration links are posted here.
