A very deadly day from COVID-19 was reported by Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Wednesday. He said 18 people died over a 24-hour period; six in hospitals, the rest in nursing homes.
“The deadliest day in the pandemic we’ve had, I believe,” McMahon said. “This is crushing news. And certainly my heart and all of our Onondaga County team goes out to the families of everybody we’ve lost.”
This news comes in the midst of some hopeful coronavirus trends. McMahon said the number of new cases has settled down in the 300 range, compared to 400-500 daily cases reported last week. But he added the damage is done following a Thanksgiving surge in viruses, leading to a very painful day.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that the SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse will serve as the regional vaccination hub for central New York. The hospital will administer vaccines when the state goes into the second phase of vaccinations for essential workers and the general public with preexisting conditions. That’s expected to begin towards the end of January. For now, the state will continue with phase one, vaccinating frontline health care workers, nursing home residents and staff.