As of yesterday and over a year and a half since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Chenango County has suffered more deaths at the hands of COVID-related complications than neighboring Delaware and Otsego Counties. To date, that number is 87 Chenango County residents lost to COVID.

On Sunday, Norwich Mayor Shawn Sastri issued a State of Emergency Proclamation for the City of Norwich in regards to the COVID-19 response within the City of Norwich.
That declaration allows Norwich to establish mutual aid agreements, policies, and intermunicipaI agreements in order to continue emergency service staffing levels for the City of Norwich since COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact on emergency services staffing. You can find out more about that here.

Latest COVID-19 update in Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego Counties...

The level of COVID-19 transmission remains high in Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego Counties according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Let's take a look at where we are right now in our tri-county region.

Each County's Current Vaccination Rate (Out of total population):

Health officials in our tri-county area are continuing the message to those unvaccinated: "get vaccinated as soon as possible". The percentage of those getting vaccines is slowly creeping up each week. Currently, the vaccination rate in Chenango County's TOTAL population with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is at 59.6%, Delaware County's vaccine rate is at 57.2%. In Otsego County, the percentage with at least one dose is 60.5%.

Let's take a look at COVID case numbers locally:

In Chenango County, the health department reported on November 16, there were 185 active cases in the county (69% of cases are unvaccinated individuals) with 6 hospitalizations related to the virus, none of which are vaccinated against the virus.

For those who are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.co.chenango.ny.us/public-health/nursing/covid19.php to find information on the latest clinics available. Those who wish to receive the vaccine need to register online.

Chenango Health also is now distributing the Pfizer vaccine as a booster shot to those eligible which includes anyone:
- 65+ years old
- 18-64 years old at high risk of severe COVID-19
- 18-64 years old whose frequent institutional/occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.
If you are eligible, you can receive the vaccine at least 6 months after your last shot.

In Delaware County, health officials have an update from the week ending 11/15, reporting 245 active cases with 11 people hospitalized. With four new deaths reported since our last update, the total number of deaths related to coronavirus complications has risen to 68. Go to delawarecountypublichealth.com/covid-19 to access the Delaware County Public Health COVID-19 dashboard. DCPH also reported the following information about those contracting COVID in the county...

52.9% of the total population are vaccinated
75% of the positive cases are unvaccinated
25% of the positive cases are vaccinated
20% of the positive cases are Pre-K-12th students/employees
2% of the positive cases are college students/employees

In Otsego County, looking at COVID-19 case numbers reported by The Otsego County Department of Health (11/16): There are currently 134 known active cases with 3 people hospitalized with COVID-related complications. The total COVID-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic went up to 75 since our last report. The Health Dept. has a COVID-19 dashboard with daily updates for the latest information.

To stay up to date on vaccine clinics in Otsego County, visit www.bassett.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine and www.otsegocounty.com. Also, keep in mind that you can receive a vaccine through your Bassett Healthcare Network provider and at various local pharmacies.

Pop-up Vaccination Sites Across New York State:

Back in September, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that pop-up vaccination sites would be coming to communities to increase the vaccination rate in kids 12 and older. The pop-up locations change every week. To find out the latest location, visit covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/nys-vaxtoschool-pop-locations.

Below is a list of resources for vaccines for those 12 and older:

NYS Am I eligible site: am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov
Or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829)

For UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital you may call 607-337-4888

For BASSETT you may call the information line at 605-547-5555 or visit Bassett.org.

If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 CLICK HERE to learn what to do next.

To find a COVID-19 testing site near you visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing.

To get information about COVID-19 vaccination distribution, CLICK HERE.

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