“Essentially, we’re starting to get the caseloads from the holidays,” McMahon said. “The grim reality of the virus getting into nursing homes is playing out in a big way.”
McMahon spoke from his home office as his quarantine continues following a possible exposure to the virus from a family member.
“But certainly, there’s a direct correlation with the increased caseloads and the [Thankgiving] holiday. There’s no question,” said McMahon.
McMahon also noted that Friday’s case figure shouldn’t be has high as Thursday’s figure.
Of the 348 new cases, McMahon said the “troubling trend here” is it includes 43 senior-facility cases, and of that figure, 42 are residents, which McMahon said is “even worse.”
“This vaccine cannot come quick enough,” McMahon said.
A total of 177 people are recovering in local hospitals from COVID-19, which is up two from Wednesday, including 29 in the intensive care unit, he added.