Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon Sunday called for a voluntary shelter in place for county residents to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus, as the number of people who have died in the county rose to five.
McMahon said a man in his 60s with underlying health conditions died after contracting COVID-19. He asked residents, who are not essential employees to stay inside as much as possible from April 7-21.
"I need the public to buy in even more," McMahon said at a news conference.
He said people who are born in even-numbered years can go out and get necessary items and take walks in county parks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. People born in odd-numbered years, can go out on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. For the first week on Sunday, April 12, the odd-numbered years go out. For the second week, on April 19, even-numbered years go out.
"Let me be very clear," McMahon said. "This is a voluntary process. But it's a necessary one. If we want to get back to normal, get back to work, get back to school, we have to flatten the curve and we need to flatten it now and this will help. So I need your help."
McMahon warned that if people don't take social distancing seriously, the curve might not flatten until summer.
"Think about what that means to your family's economic situation, your business' economic situation, your local government's economic situation. We cannot afford it. We need to double down all of our efforts these next two weeks. The virus is looking for new hosts. The only way it can spread is through new hosts, that's why we need to starve it. Staying home saves lives."
McMahon made the announcement as the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the county rose to 364. McMahon also signed an executive order closing all public and private golf courses in the county starting Monday evening. State-run golf courses do not apply to the order.
"The New York State Health Department approves all our executive orders. The New York State Health Department did not approve us shutting down state-run golf courses." McMahon said.
County health officials also announced Sunday there has been a potential exposure of the coronavirus at several locations around the county, due to employees at businesses who have tested positive. People who were at the following businesses at the times listed should watch for possible symptoms, including fever, cough and/or shortness of breath.
Walgreens at 4001 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13205 on the following days:
- 3/27/2020 7:50 AM-4:40 PM
- 3/28/2020 7:30 AM – 5:45 PM
- 3/30/2020 7:50 AM – 5:10 PM
- 3/31/2020 1:05 PM – 9:15 PM
Walgreens at 4751 Onondaga Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13219 on the following days:
- 3/27/2020 1:00 PM-9:00 PM
- 3/28/2020 1:00 PM -9:00 PM
- 3/30/2020 1:00 PM-8:00 PM
- 3/31/2020 1:00 PM -3:00 PM
Kinney Drugs at 437 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool, NY 13088 on the following days:
- 3/27/2020 7:00 AM-3:00 PM
- 3/29/2020 5:00 AM-11:00 AM
Hallinan’s Wine and Liquor at 3504 W Genesee Street #2027, Syracuse, NY 13219 on the following days:
- 3/30/2020 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- 3/31/2020 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
"We are in the process of identifying all close contacts of these individuals and notifying them. Anyone who visited these businesses during the identified time periods should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing for 14 days after they visited the store. If symptoms do develop, stay home and call your doctor for further guidance about testing. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency call 911," Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta said in a statement.
