Alarming Jump in COVID Numbers in NY and Southern Tier

New York State is seeing an alarming jump in the number of new positive tests coming back for COVID-19 just as the new state Health Commissioner starts her job.

The State reported over 9,400 new cases December 1 while the past daily new results coming during the latest spike in cases have been between 5,000 to as much as 7,900 on November 15.  There were 45 new deaths state-wide reported on December 1.

Broome County is also seeing an increase in active COVID cases.  The daily update December 1 listed 908 active cases, an increase of 107 from the day before. There were 172 new cases identified and another resident has died, bringing the county’s pandemic morbidity to 433.  Chenango County reports 20 new cases, Cortland 32 and Delaware had 111 new cases since its last report on Monday, November 29.  The latest numbers from Tioga County show 69 new cases on December 1.  In a weekly update from the county, there were reported 246 active cases and ten residents in the hospital.

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County Executives and health officials all around the region are calling for residents to get vaccinated if they have not yet gotten the shot with the spike in cases driven by holiday gatherings. Now, with the threat of the new Omicron variant, officials are also urging people to get a booster shot if they are already vaccinated.  The best bet in Broome County for getting a booster is through local pharmacies or health care providers as booster clinics hosted by the county health department fill rapidly.

Meanwhile, New York State’s new Health Commissioner, Doctor Mary Bassett started her job December 1 replacing former commissioner Doctor Howard Zucker, who was replaced following scandals that brought down is boss, former Governor Andrew Cuomo.