The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that 44 Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 2,564 confirmed cases, 438 of which are currently active.
The individuals are residents of the:
· City of Corning (6)
· City of Hornell (4)
· Town of Bradford
· Town of Campbell
· Town of Canisteo
· Town of Caton (4)
· Town of Corning
· Town of Erwin (2)
· Town of Greenwood
· Town of Hornellsville (2)
· Town of Howard
· Town of Urbana (11)
· Town of Woodhull
· Village of Arkport
· Village of Avoca
· Village of Bath (2)
· Village of Cohocton
· Village of Savona
· Village of Wayland (2)
The individuals are isolated and being monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed cases and exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individuals have been notified.
Per CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance, information is collected beginning 48 hours prior to symptom onset or date of test if asymptomatic through the day of the positive test result to identify any potential exposure risks.
The investigations indicate:
· 15 individuals had contact with previously reported Steuben positives
· Three individuals had contact with positives from other counties
· 11 individuals are residents of the Fred and Harriett Taylor Health Center
· One individual is an employee of Corning, Inc. at Sullivan Park
· One individual is an employee of the Chemung County Nursing Facility
· One individual is an employee of Arnot Ogden Medical Center
· One individual is an employee of Strong Memorial Hospital
· Three individuals are students of the following schools:
o Frederick Carder Elementary
o Corning-Painted Post High School
o Canisteo-Greenwood High School
· Two individuals are employees of the following schools:
o Valley Early Childhood School
o Corning-Painted Post High School
One individual has reported visiting the Hornell Moose on dates already reported by previous positives: those who have been at the Hornell Moose in the past two weeks should monitor for symptoms and/or get tested
In addition to the locations noted above, the individuals reported visiting the following locations that could pose an exposure risk within their investigation timeframes:
· 12/1 – 12/14 Mornings – Billy Schu’s Food Bar in Hornell
· 12/6 – Dollar General in Avoca
· 12/8 Morning, 12/9 Evening – Walmart in Hornell
· 12/9 Afternoon, 12/12 Morning, 12/13, 12/14 Afternoon – Walmart in Painted Post
· 12/10 – Elaura Salon in Canisteo
· 12/10, 12/11 – Wimodaughsian Free Library in Canisteo
· 12/10 Afternoon, 12/11 Evening – Wegmans in Corning
· 12/11 Morning – Wegmans in Hornell
· 12/11 Afternoon – Woodhouse Stadium Grill in Corning
· 12/12 Evening – Dollar General in Caton
· 12/14 Afternoon – Rite Aid in Corning
· 12/14 Afternoon – Home Depot in Painted Post
Today’s age groups for the positives are as follows:
· 0 – 9 years: 2
· 10 – 19 years: 4
· 20 – 29 years: 3
· 30 – 39 years: 3
· 40 – 49 years: 6
· 50 – 59 years: 6
· 60 – 69 years: 7
· 70 – 79 years: 6
· 80 – 89 years: 5
· 90 – 99 years: 2
“Although we are seeing an uptick in cases that have been at schools, it appears that many have contracted the virus outside school,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “There is the potential for positives to spread COVID in schools, but thankfully our schools have put protective measures in place to keep the spread low and contract tracing has been running well with school support. Make sure you’re using all protective measures in your activities to slow the spread.”
The Steuben County Public Health Department also reports that they received notification of the death of two individuals who had previously tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Steuben County to 117. One individual was a 95 year old female resident of the Fred and Harriett Taylor Health Center. Another individual was a 66 year old male from the Town of Caton who died while hospitalized.
“It is difficult to find the appropriate words to express the collective pain of these losses,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Each death is a somber moment for our community, but should also strengthen our resolve to fight with every resource available to limit the spread of COVID-19 to prevent future losses.”
All residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.
For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth.
