McMahon: Still no confirmed coronavirus cases in Onondaga County as of midday Monday

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As of midday Monday, Onondaga County still had no confirmed cases of coronavirus, but 19 people are under quarantine following overseas travel.

When county officials held their first coronavirus briefing on March 4, 12 people were under quarantine and the figure fell to 9 a few days later.

“We have more of our residents coming home. They’re reporting in to us through our health department and then we go through a quarantine protocol with them,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said in addressing local reporters late Monday morning.

In her remarks, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta said she’s asking county residents returning from countries that include China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, and Japan to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days for their own health, along with the health of their family and the overall community.

“For 14 days, you’re just going to be staying in your house or apartment. We ask you take your temperature twice a day and practice social distancing from anybody,” said Gupta.

Don’t run to the ER if you think you have it

Gupta emphasized that if you think you have symptoms of the coronavirus — a temperature, a cough, or trouble breathing — don’t go to your hospital’s emergency room, or an urgent care location, or your doctor’s office.

“We’re asking them to call their doctor, get the advice on the phone, and then have them ask the right question and give you the professional advice,” said Gupta. “If they feel that your symptoms warrant testing … or that you really need to go to the emergency room … they will coordinate with the emergency room for the testing as well as for further care.”

She also suggested knowing the exact history of your overseas travel, including the countries visited, if applicable.

“The clinical symptoms [of coronavirus] of cough, fever, shortness of breath, body ache can vary from severe to mild … and a reminder that majority of people, 80 percent, have mild symptoms and they will recover,” Gupta reiterated.

Crouse test

McMahon also addressed the report about Crouse Hospital testing a patient for the coronavirus, calling the test “a good thing.”

“If someone’s symptomatic, we need to know if they’re carrying the virus or not,” he added.

Crouse Health has tested a patient for coronavirus, but the hospital considers the patient at low risk of having the virus, Robert Allen, VP of communications & government affairs at Crouse Health, tells CNYBJ in an email.

McMahon advises area residents that if you’re sick, contact your primary-care provider and “don’t go to work.” If your kids are sick, they shouldn’t go to school, he added.

Onondaga County officials have had briefings with their government partners, school districts, and nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

“We have been preparing specifically for this virus for a period of time now,” said McMahon.

Onondaga County officials will conduct daily midday briefings on Facebook Live moving forward, unless circumstances warrant otherwise, said McMahon.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com