Tioga County Public Health confirmed Monday the second positive case of COVID-19 in Tioga County. This comes a week after the first confirmed case was found in the county. Public Health staff are currently working to determine individuals that may have had close contact with this person in days prior. At this time, no other information will be given out about the positive case.
Tioga County Public Health understands that this may be a worrisome time for our residents. We want to help reassure you
that our department is working hard to help our residents stay as safe and healthy as possible by:
Having our office staffed 7 days a week
Monitoring quarantined individuals on a daily basis through phone calls
Communicating with local providers and hospitals
Coordinating efforts between multiple Tioga County Departments
Continuously getting the most up-to-date information out to our community
Although nothing like the seemingly uncontrollable spike in confirmed cases in downstate counties and New York City, some of the coronavirus numbers in the Southern Tier are trending upward.
All counties in the Sourthern Tier have reported at least two confirmed cases. As you heard at the top of this newscast, Tioga County today reported its second confirmed case of the coronavirus. Tompkins County has 13 confirmed cases, more than all the other Southern Tier counties combined. In recent days Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties reported increases to 3 cases each. Tompkins and Broome counties have reported at least one death each … the latest in Broome County, reported Saturday by county Executive Jason Garnar.
In Tioga County, here are the latest numbers: As we told you, two confirmed cases/// the second one reported this afternoonwsc bak, 67 people in mandatory quarantine, 8 in precautionary quarantine and 68 tests awaiting results.
Tioga County Chairwoman Sauerbrey reminds residents that the Tioga County Emergency Operations Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Question or emergency? … call 607-687-8477 for assistance. Sauerbrey also reminds the public to call ahead before visiting any Tioga County offices, as the county is operating at reduced staff.
The Village of Owego is open, with limited staffing. Mayor Mike Baratta was on the WEBO Morning Show today..
In New York State, the Army Corps of Engineers is set to begin construction of four temporary hospital downstate to assist with the increasing number of people who test positive for the coronavirus. These temporary hospitals are helpful, said New York Governor but the state still desperately needs supplies and additional staffing. He called on the federal government to get involved with the day-to-day realities of this massive outbreak, especially medical supplies and staff.
The statistics show the severity of the crisis downstate … New York State itself has over 15,000 confirmed cases … of that total, New York City has 9,000 confirmed cases, Nassau and Westchester counties each have roughly 1,900 cases each. Upstate, the highest number of cases is reported in Albany County with 123 confirmed cases … that’s more than Buffalo and Rochester combined.
Lourdes and UHS announced last week that elective surgery would end by this past weekend. Cuomo announced Sunday that all elective surgery everywhere in the state is off until further notice.
Let’s bring you up to date with some postponements, cancellations, closings and other important community announcements:
‘Grab-n-Go’ food at Owego and Apalachin Elementary Schools is now available for students on Mondays and Thursdays from 4 to 6pm … in addition to Monday through Friday pick up from 10am-1pm at the two schools. Friday Bus Drops stop for 15 minutes at designed locations though out the district. Go online to the district’s website for times and locations. If you need delivery, call the O-A Help Line at (607) 687-7307 ext.7777 and delivery will be arranged.
Chemung Canal Trust Company has updated its listing of open or closed branch offices. Effective today, all open branch offices will be accessible through drive-up windows only. Chemung Canal has 22 of its 26 offices open, with the exception of four offices that were already temporarily closed last week. Go online to chemungcanal.com for information.
These local governments have reported to the WEBO that their daily operations have been shut down or are open on limited schedules: Tioga County, including DMV and the clerk’s office, the Town of Barton, the Town of Tioga, the Village of Newark Valley, the Town of Owego, the villages of Endicott and Johnson City. Good idea to call before you stop at these offices.
The lobbies of all Tioga State Bank offices are closed … drive-up only services are still available open during normal business hours. Go online to tiogabank.com for a list of locations.
Tioga Opportunities’ Countryside Community Center in Owego remains closed but resumed handing out lunch bags today to older adults … stop any weekday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
Tioga Rural Ministry food pantry is open today, tomorrow and Wednesday at its locations in Owego, Lockwood and Waverly … 1:00 to 2:30pm each day. The retail store in Owego is closed.
