15 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED AND TWO DEEMED POSITIVE IN STEUBEN COUNTY
BATH – The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that 15 Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19 and two have been deemed positive. This brings the total to 6,720 confirmed cases and 12 deemed positive, 155 of which are currently active.
New York State guidelines state that school students and staff must be deemed positive after 48 hours if they are symptomatic and do not either get tested or receive an alternative diagnosis from their healthcare provider. Steuben County has extended the 48 hours to five days to allow for appropriate follow through with healthcare providers.
The individuals are residents of the:
· City of Corning (2)
· City of Hornell
· Town of Cameron (2)
· Town of Canisteo
· Town of Caton
· Town of Corning
· Town of Hornellsville (3)
· Town of Rathbone (2)
· Town of Urbana
· Village of Bath
· Village of Canisteo
· Village of North Hornell
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:
· Four individuals had contact with a previously reported Steuben positive
· One individual is associated with an area hospital and another is associated with home health care
· One individual is associated with Corning, Inc. at Erwin
· Five individuals are associated with the following schools: Canisteo-Greenwood, Frederick Carder, Hornell Intermediate, Jasper-Troupsburg and North Hornell Elementary
The individuals did not report visiting any public locations that could pose an exposure risk within their investigation timeframes.
Today’s age groups for the positives are as follows:
· 0 – 9 years: 3
· 10 – 19 years: 3
· 20 – 29 years: 1
· 40 – 49 years: 2
· 50 – 59 years: 4
· 60 – 69 years: 2
· 70 – 79 years: 1
· 90 – 99 years: 1
“It is expected that those age 12 and older will be able to begin being vaccinated with Pfizer by the end of the week,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “We have seen a high number of cases and high spread in school-age children over the last several weeks. Protecting your children through vaccination is the greatest tool towards a more normal school year.”
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.