Onondaga County reports 12th COVID-19 death; McMahon reacts to Cuomo facemask order

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Wednesday confirmed a 12th COVID-19 death during his daily coronavirus briefing at the Oncenter.

He also noted that Onondaga County has been recommending that citizens wear a mask in public as he answered a question about Wednesday’s proposed executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

COVID-19 death, latest data

The county’s latest death was a man in his 90s who had underlying conditions, according to McMahon’s office.

In his briefing, McMahon also reported that Onondaga County now has 563 total coronavirus cases, up from 537 on Tuesday. Of those testing positive for COVID-19, 53 are in the hospital, including 20 who are listed in critical condition.

McMahon also reported that 273 people have recovered and been released from mandatory isolation and quarantine, up five from Tuesday.

Cuomo mask order

Cuomo on Wednesday announced he will issue an executive order requiring all people in New York state to wear a mask or face covering, which covers the mouth and nose, when out in public and in situations “where social distancing cannot be maintained,” such as on public transportation or walking in a busy neighborhood.

The executive order will go into effect on Friday, Cuomo’s office said.

“We’ve been recommending it,” McMahon said in answering a question about it during the briefing. “We were never going to regulate it unless we could give a mask to somebody, but I think it’s very wise that people when they’re in public wear a mask. It’s risk mitigation and what more important asset do we have altogether than our own health.”