DELHI – As state officials begin to express cautious optimism about what appears to be a plateau in the number of COVID-19 cases in New York City, the numbers in Delaware County had a sharp one day spike this week and Ulster County’s healthcare facilities are being stressed with the number of incoming cases.
There has been one virus-related death in Delaware County, but nine new cases were reported Monday, the biggest one day jump so far. But on Tuesday, there was just one new case. The county’s total of confirmed cases known to be in the county, according to the latest press release, is 37. Five more cases were found to be in other counties. Seven are hospitalized, and seven have been discharged from the hospital. The rest are recovering at home. Mandatory quarantine has been imposed on 42 people and six more are in precautionary quarantine.
“COVID-19 is in the area,” the release from Delaware County Public Health Services said. “Everyone should limit close contact with individuals outside your household in indoor and outdoor spaces.”
Ulster County put out a call this week for volunteer doctors and nurses to work locally. The numbers there have continued to rise in the past couple of weeks, with a total of 402 cases, a jump of 20 in just one day, and five deaths. Hotspots within the county are mostly concentrated on the southern border of the county and the city of Kingston.
Sullivan County reports 259 cases and six deaths. Greene County has 27 positive cases. Broome County has 72 cases and nine deaths, but the numbers seem to be peaking on the tracking graph on their website.
Otsego County, which has also had one death from the virus, has launched a website showing which communities in the county are affected. Unlike some counties, there are no numbers associated with the towns, but it is a stark picture of the virus’ spread. As of Tuesday, county health officials say there are 33 confirmed cases, with four hospitalized. Nine people have recovered and one county resident has died; 113 others are in mandatory quarantine, with two people in precautionary quarantine.
The county also released a bit more information about the cases. They say 48% of the confirmed cases had a known contact with another positive case. But 27% of the positive cases had no known contact. Another 15% worked or traveled downstate, and 9% are healthcare workers.
The state of Pennsylvania has more than 14,000 cases, with 240 deaths and the numbers are rising rapidly. Wayne County directly to the south of Delaware County, has 40 confirmed cases, an increase of five in one day.
