© 2024 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. We'll post regular updates from NPR and regional news from the WRVO newsroom. You can also find updates on our live blog.

Onondaga County has deadliest day of pandemic with 18 deaths

Ellen Abbott
/
WRVO News (file photo)
COVID-19 testing at the Oncenter in Syracuse.

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. 

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Tom Magnarelli is a reporter covering the central New York and Syracuse area. He joined WRVO as a freelance reporter in 2012 while a student at Syracuse University and was hired full time in 2015. He has reported extensively on politics, education, arts and culture and other issues around central New York.