Oneida and Herkimer counties continue to climb the second-wave of COVID-19 with both reporting new virus-related deaths, and a another record for active cases in both counties.
On a day when Governor Andrew Cuomo moved parts of Oneida County into a 'yellow zone', county officials reported a pinch of good news, but also some very sad news.
It was another weekend of increased COVID-19 cases in Herkimer and Oneida Counties for Saturday and Sunday, with Oneida County's positivity rate now over 9-percent. Three Oneida County residents passed away from the virus this weekend.
Exactly two weeks out from Christmas, the latest COVID-19 reports from local health officials give little reason for holiday cheer as the virus again soars to new heights in Oneida and Herkimer counties.
In their daily reports on Friday, both counties set new highs for new cases in a single day and active cases...
Oneida County has reported at least one death on each of the first eight days of December. The two most recent deaths are the 163rd and 164th caused by COVID-19 since March. Of those, 15 have come this month.
The trend continued Tuesday in the Mohawk Valley, as health officials in Oneida County announced another death and over 200 new cases. Meanwhile, Herkimer County set records for new and active cases.
Herkimer County's Department of Health announced their highest number yet of new positive COVID-19 cases on Saturday, with 41 new positive cases. That brings the total number of active positive cases to a record 311 and and a total of 901 since the pandemic began.
Thursday's daily report included four new COVID deaths and a record 255 new cases. And, for the eleventh day in a row, the county has set a new record for active cases, which have now grown to 2,059.