COVID-19 cases in Oneida County display a recent volatility of which the College has taken note. They show a steady upward trend, increasing by 15% in the last two weeks. Photo courtesy of the New York Times.
As winter approaches, Oneida County faces rising COVID-19 cases. The county reported over 1,200 new virus cases and 13 related deaths from Nov. 24 through Dec. 1, bringing the county’s overall total to almost 34,000 cases. Furthermore, 89 Oneida County residents were hospitalized, and of that number, 62 were unvaccinated.
In response to this surge, Oneida County officials decided to modify their prevention efforts away from the unvaccinated population and to those who are already vaccinated. “We can’t keep chasing a group that’s not gonna comply. I really think we’ve gotta focus now where we can make an improvement,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. in a statement, according to the Observer-Dispatch.
Roughly 70% of the county is vaccinated and 29,000 booster shots have wbeen administered. However, there are still 60,000 eligible residents who have yet to receive one. These individuals will get a text or email this week with a reminder to get the booster.
Additionally, Oneida County created Boost OC, a vaccination incentive program that provides $100 e-gift cards that can be spent in local Oneida County businesses or organizations to any resident who is vaccinated or received a booster shot on or after July 15, 2021. Children under 18 are also eligible, with their e-gift cards made available to their parents or legal guardian. Residents do not have to do anything to receive the electronic gift card. Texts or emails are sent out through the organization Prizeout with instructions on how to redeem the e-gift card through their app.
The federal government continues to support Oneida County’s fight against the pandemic. On Dec. 1, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1,377,409 for Oneida County from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover costs associated with the county’s COVID-19 response. The funds provide reimbursement for expenses related to the purchase and distribution of medical supplies and materials (including PPEs), enhanced cleaning/disinfecting facilities, dissemination of information to the public and guidance regarding COVID-19, HVAC systems and other components of combating the spread of the virus.
The new 8.7% positivity rate threatens the health and wellbeing of the county’s residents, yet booster shots are a key component to protecting the community Picente asserted, “I think if we can step up and get the boosters to this population over the next couple of months, I think you’ll see that number of vaccinated cases go down dramatically.”