Onondaga County officials announced 238 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday, another new record for daily cases since the pandemic began in March.
County Executive Ryan McMahon said of the 238 cases, 141 are from community spread, 21 are from K-12 schools, and 37 from colleges and universities.
McMahon said most of these high-case days over the last week are the result of small gatherings related to Halloween, and case numbers could start to come down this week.
“Two weeks after the Halloween surge gave us our highest day,” McMahon said Sunday on Twitter. “Tomorrow looks like we are making some progress. Remember our response today will be reflected 10 to 14 days from now. Avoid large gatherings, physically distance and mask up.”
Two weeks after the Halloween surge gave us our highest day. Tomorrow looks like we are making some progress. Remember our response today will be reflected 10 to 14 days from now. Avoid latge gatherings, Physically distance and Mask up. Positive note on a bad day is our
— County Executive Ryan McMahon (@CEJRyanMcMahon) November 15, 2020
Officials also announced Sunday there have been more confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Onondaga County Board of Elections, where absentee ballots were being counted following this year’s election. Counting was halted Friday when officials were notified that a staff member had tested positive. Officials said that person hadn’t been in the office since November 5 and was not involved in the counting of ballots. All staff members were then tested and at least one more has come back positive. Elections Commissioners Dustin Czarny and Michelle Sardo both tested negative. Czarny said on Twitter Sunday the situation “continues to unfold” and the canvassing of absentee ballots is on indefinite hold.
The COVID situation at @OCBOE is continuing to unfold. Commissioner Sardo and I are working with @OnondagaCounty Health too make sure everyone who needs help and information gets it. We hope to have a statement tomorrow on a path forward for the absentee canvass.
— Dustin M. Czarny (@DustinCzarny) November 15, 2020
Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim also announced Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. In a tweet, Boeheim said he is tested several times a week, and his latest test came back positive. Boeheim, who is 75, said he is experiencing no symptoms and will isolate at home.
I wanted to share the following statement from me: pic.twitter.com/cwop38MhyN
— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) November 15, 2020
Another member of the basketball program tested positive Sunday, according to SU Athletic Director John Wildhack. That person has not been named, but Wildhack said all basketball activities are on pause and all members of the basketball program will undergo several rounds of testing over the next week.
