Potential COVID-19 Exposure on Hayride at Local Farm

The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that an individual on a hayride at Tim’s Pumpkin Patch at 2901 Rose Hill Road in Marietta has tested positive for COVID-19. The hayride took place on Saturday, September 26 from 4:45 to 5:00 pm. Members of the public who were on the hayride during that timeframe may have been exposed. The individual was wearing a mask, but riders were seated close together, raising the risk of exposure.

Health Department investigators are in the process of identifying all close contacts of the individual and notifying them. Those who may have been exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of potential exposure. If symptoms do develop, stay home and call your doctor for further guidance. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency call 911.

Information and guidance related to COVID-19 changes daily, stay up to date by visiting these websites:
• Onondaga County: covid19.ongov.net
• New York State Department of Health: coronavirus.health.ny.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Onondaga County Immunization Clinic to Reopen—Clinic will Reopen September 30 by Appointment Only

The Onondaga County Immunization Clinic will reopen on Wednesday, September 30. To ensure proper social distancing and to protect the health and wellbeing of our clients and staff members, the clinic will operate by appointment only.

The Immunization Clinic, located in the Onondaga County Civic Center at 421 Montgomery Street in Syracuse, will be open every Wednesday beginning September 30 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Anyone in need of an immunization must call the Onondaga County Health Department at 315.435.2000 to make an appointment. No walk-ins are allowed at this time, and the number of appointments will be very limited. We ask that those who have private health insurance please schedule an appointment with their own healthcare provider. No one will be turned away for not having health insurance.

In the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, Onondaga County Immunization Clinic will implement the following:

Everyone age two and older must wear a face covering at all times while in the Civic Center.
Arrive at your scheduled appointment time—do not arrive early for your appointment.
Only one adult may accompany the children getting shots. Do not bring other children with you to the clinic.
Everyone must have their temperature taken, be pre-screened for risk factors, and use hand sanitizer before entering the clinic.
Chairs are placed 6 feet apart and all toys and literature have been removed from the waiting area.
The clinic has a separate entrance and exit to limit traffic through the waiting area.
All staff will wear masks and face shields at all times while in the clinic setting.

Please call 315.435.2000 to reschedule your appointment for a later date if you or your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms: dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, congestion or runny nose, fever, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

For more information please call the Onondaga County Health Department at 315.435.2000.

Boil Water Order Lifted for Remaining Portion of DeWitt Water District

The Onondaga County Health Department has lifted the Boil Water Order for the residents and businesses that remained under the Boil Water Order that was issued on Friday, September 18. The order was lifted for a portion of the District on Friday, September 25. Two consecutive follow-up tests have since confirmed no presence of coliform, so all of those served by the Town of DeWitt Water Department can now safely drink their tap water.

Although the water is safe to drink, residents are advised to take steps before drinking any water, including flushing their water by running all of their taps on full for at least five minutes, replacing water filters, and flushing appliances with direct water connections or water tanks (such as automatic ice makers) with enough water to completely replace all the water in the lines or tanks.

The affected residents are being notified by phone through the 911 emergency notification system. Landlines are already included in the emergency notification system, and all Onondaga County residents are encouraged to register at www.ongov.net/911/notification.html in order to receive community alerts by wireless phones, text messages, and/or TTY.

The Town of DeWitt is one of the few municipalities in Onondaga County that maintains and monitors its own public water systems independent of the Onondaga County Water Authority. For more information visit www.ongov.net/health/env/boilwater.html or call the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

Partial Lift of Boil Water Order: Some Residents Served by the Town of DeWitt Water Department Remain Under Order

Based on acceptable sample results and the Town of DeWitt’s use of engineering controls to isolate areas within the Water District, the Boil Water Order (BWO) area is being revised to eliminate portions of the Town of DeWitt previously affected.

The properties in the revised BWO area are shown in this map. Please visit the Town of DeWitt website for a list of addresses that remain under the BWO.

The Town of DeWitt will continue to sample the water over the weekend and the public will be informed when the BWO is lifted for the remaining area. This service area is under the jurisdiction and authority of the Town of DeWitt, not the Onondaga County Water Authority.

For those residents for whom the order is lifted, although tap water is now safe to drink, residents are advised to take steps before drinking any water, including flushing their water by running all of their taps on full for at least five minutes, replacing water filters, and flushing appliances with direct water connections or water tanks (such as automatic ice makers) with enough water to completely replace all the water in the lines or tanks.

For more information visit www.ongov.net/health/env/boilwater.html or call the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

Potential COVID-19 Exposure on Centro Bus Routes Serving Syracuse University

The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that a passenger on several bus routes has tested positive for COVID-19. Members of the public who were passengers on the same routes during the same timeframes may have been exposed:

Wednesday, September 16, 9:00am-9:20am
Centro Route SU 344-Connective Corridor, from College Place to the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., Syracuse

Wednesday, September 16, 12:00pm-12:25pm
Centro Route SU 443-Connective Corridor, from the Nancy Cantor Warehouse to College Place

Thursday, September 17, approximately 8:45am-9:20am
Centro Route SU 43-Main Campus, from the intersection of Van Buren and Henry Streets to the SU Comstock Art Facility

Thursday, September 17, 12:14pm-12:21pm
Centro Route SU 344-South Campus to College Place

Potential COVID-19 Exposure at Local Restaurants and Bars

The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that patrons of several local businesses have tested positive for COVID-19. Members of the public who visited the following locations during the timeframes listed may have been exposed:

Tully’s Restaurant, 311 7th North Street, Liverpool
Sunday, September 13, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Penny Pub, 320 Fayette Street, Syracuse
Thursday, September 17, 9:10 pm to 10:10 pm

Orbis Lounge, 134 East Genesee Street, Syracuse
Thursday, September 17, 10:30 pm to 1:00 am

Health Department investigators are in the process of identifying all close contacts of the individuals and notifying them. Those who may have been exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of potential exposure. If symptoms do develop, stay home and call your doctor for further guidance. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency call 911.

UPDATE: Boil Water Order Remains in Effect

Residents served by the Town of DeWitt Water Department remain under the Boil Water Order that was issued Friday, September 18. The Town of DeWitt will continue to sample the water and the public will be informed when the Boil Water Order is lifted and those affected will be notified by phone through the 911 emergency notification system. Landlines are already included in the emergency notification system, and all Onondaga County residents are encouraged to register at www.ongov.net/911/notification.html in order to receive community alerts by wireless phones, text messages, and/or TTY.

For updates visit our Boil Water Order webpage.

Boil Water Order for Some Residents of the Town of DeWitt Water Department

The Onondaga County Health Department is issuing a Boil Water Order to some residents and businesses that are served by the Town of DeWitt Water Department. The affected area is outlined on this map. Test results from routine sampling that were received today confirmed the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The Town of DeWitt will continue to sample the water over the weekend and the public will be informed when the Boil Water Order is lifted. This service area is under the jurisdiction and authority of the Town of DeWitt, not the Onondaga County Water Authority.

The New York State Department of Health considers any confirmed E. coli positive sample as a public health hazard and a violation of drinking water standards. The presence of E. coli bacteria indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Harmful microbes in these wastes, including E. coli, can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. These may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. But these symptoms are not just caused by harmful microbes in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you should seek medical advice. For more information about this Boil Water Order, call the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600 or visit ongov.net/health/env/documents/BWODeWitt9-18-20.pdf.

AS A PRECAUTION DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. The boil order will be in effect and sampling will continue in the affected areas until tests confirm there is no more coliform in the water supply.

Additional reminders for residents in this area include:

If you use bottled water, be sure it comes from a safe source. If you do not know the source, boil or treat the water before you use it. Use only bottled, boiled, or treated water until your water supply is tested and found to be safe.
Boiling water when practical is the preferred way to get rid of harmful bacterial and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most organisms.
You can treat water with chlorine tablets, iodine tablets, or unscented household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite). If you use chlorine tablets or iodine tablets, follow the directions that come with the tablets. If you use household chlorine bleach, add 1/8 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water if the water is clear. If the water is cloudy, add 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per gallon. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it.
While drinking water contaminated with coliform bacteria does not always cause illness, residents in the affected areas that experience gastrointestinal upset, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea should contact their healthcare provider.
It is safe to take a bath or shower, but be careful not to swallow any water. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Onondaga County residents who would like to receive community alerts by wireless phones, text messages, and/or TTY may register for the Hyper-Reach Emergency Notification System through the Department of Emergency Communications—911 Center at www.ongov.net/911/notification.html. Landlines are already included in the 911 emergency notification system.

For more information and updates visit http://www.ongov.net/health/env/boilwater.html or call the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 315.435.6600.

Potential COVID-19 Exposure at a Local Church and Restaurant

The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that an attendee of a church service and a restaurant server have tested positive for COVID-19. The potential exposures were at the following locations and times:

Herald of Joy Evangelical Church, 3994 Split Rock Road, Camillus
Sunday, September 6, 10:00 am service

Applebee’s Grill + Bar, 3975 Route 31, Liverpool
Tuesday, September 8, 4:00-9:15 pm

Health Department investigators are in the process of identifying all close contacts of the individuals and notifying them. Members of the public who were at these locations during the times listed may have been exposed and should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of potential exposure. If symptoms do develop, stay home, and call your doctor for further guidance. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency call 911. Testing is also widely available, and anyone can get tested for COVID-19 by calling their healthcare provider or visiting the drive-thru clinic at Syracuse Community Health Center.

With more faith communities reopening for in-person services, it is important that leaders stay up to date with all guidance to reduce the risk of exposures to COVID-19. It is critical that congregants are asked to stay home if they are sick. It is strongly recommended that attendees of services be required to wear face coverings at all times while in the facility and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between individuals (unless members of the same household). It is also recommended that all services have a sign-in sheet for attendees to provide contact information for the purpose of notification and contact tracing if there is potential exposure.

It is crucial that residents be diligent and continue to do their part to prevent further spread of COVID-19. With flu season approaching, it is especially important to receive a flu shot since influenza and COVID-19 viruses will be co-circulating in the upcoming months. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about getting a flu vaccine before the end of October.

Information and guidance related to COVID-19 changes daily. We are continually updating our website to provide easy access to accurate and timely local information. Also regularly visit the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites for statewide and national updates about COVID-19.

Potential COVID-19 Exposure at a Local Restaurant

The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that an employee of Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse at 302 Old Liverpool Road in Liverpool has tested positive for COVID-19. Members of the public who visited the restaurant on Thursday, September 10 from 4:30 to 9:00 pm may have been exposed and should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 until September 24.

The employee was wearing a face mask while working. Health Department investigators are in the process of identifying all close contacts of the individual and notifying them. If symptoms do develop, stay home and call your doctor for further guidance. If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised, call your doctor early even if your illness is mild. In an emergency call 911. Testing is also widely available, and anyone can get tested for COVID-19 by visiting one of the clinics listed at covid19.ongov.net/.

Businesses and employers can prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 within the workplace. All employers should implement a plan that identifies and controls all areas and job tasks with potential exposures to COVID-19, conducting daily symptom and temperature screening of employees before they enter the facility, requiring face masks and frequent hand washing, ensuring social distancing, telling sick employees to stay home, and educating employees about steps they can take to protect themselves at work and at home.

Some people who are positive for COVID-19 do not have symptoms, so it is important to stay at least 6 feet away from others and wear a face covering/mask when in public. Continue to wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and disinfect surfaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information and guidance related to COVID-19 changes daily. We are continually updating our website, covid19.ongov.net to provide easy access to accurate and timely local information. Also, you can regularly visit the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites for statewide and national news about COVID-19.