The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of the deaths 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 186. One individual was a male resident of the Town of Canisteo who died at the age of 59 and the other was a female resident of the Village of Arkport who died at the age of 61.
“Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of the individuals who passed,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “We were optimistic with the introduction of vaccines that we would not be reporting many more deaths related to COVID-19. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and not all of our residents are protected yet. Please consider getting vaccinated if you are able because none of us know how COVID may impact our families.”
The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that one Steuben County resident tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday’s update. This brings the total to 6,938 confirmed cases, 24 of which are currently active.
The individual is a resident of the Town of Erwin and is in the 60 – 69 years age group.
The individual is isolated and being monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed case and any exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individual 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 investigation indicates the individual had contact with a previously reported Steuben positive and did not report visiting any public locations that could pose an exposure risk during their investigation timeframe.
“The state is on the brink of reaching 70% who have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Although Steuben is much lower at 42% for that same measure, it is expected that many COVID restrictions will lift state-wide when the goal is reached. Remember, the safest activities are those that take place outdoors or with vaccinated individuals. We look forward to a healthy summer.”
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.
