Potential COVID-19 Exposure at Cicero Nail Salon

The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that four employees of Healthy Nails and Spa, located at 7999 Brewerton Road in Cicero, have tested positive for COVID-19. Members of the public who were at Healthy Nails and Spa on September 26, 28, 29, and 30 between the hours of 10am and 7pm may have been exposed.

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.

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

County Executive Ryan McMahon Recognizes October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A press release from County Executive Ryan McMahon:

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among United States women, no matter your race or ethnicity.

Many things affect a person’s chance of getting breast cancer, these are called risk factors. Some risk factors cannot be controlled and include being a woman, getting older, having dense breasts, having radiation to the chest area early in life, family history, and genetics. However, the good news is that a physically active lifestyle can help to prevent cancer. It is important to see your health care provider for regular check-ups, eat healthy foods, get exercise, maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol use, and do not smoke. Monitoring your breast health prior to the age of 40 is also critically important.

Do not wait to get your mammogram. Routine mammogram screening at age 40 or older is an important step to help find breast cancer early. Do not wait to get your mammogram because of COVID-19. Medical facilities are taking extra steps to protect the health and safety of staff and patients. With early detection breast cancer is usually easier to treat and has better outcomes.

Most women (about 8 out of 10) who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. However, women who have close blood relatives like a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are at a higher risk themselves. About 5-10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, meaning they result directly from gene defects passed on from a parent. The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is inherited defective BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Breast cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages. If symptoms do appear, they may include the following:

  • A lump, thickening, or swelling in part of the breast or underarm area;
  • New pain in one spot that does not go away;
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood;
  • Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast;
  • Dimpling or puckering of the breast skin;
  • Any change in the size or shape of the breast;
  • Swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening of the breast skin itchy, scaly sore, or rash on the nipple

Free mammograms are available through the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) for women between the ages of 40 and 64 who do not have health insurance or who experience other barriers to completing their screenings, along with any necessary follow-up. Services are available at many healthcare provider sites throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County.

Whether you have health insurance or not, having a mammogram may save your life. If you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 64 and do NOT have health insurance, call 315.435.3653 or visit www.ongov.net/health/cancerscreening.html to see if you qualify for a free mammogram. Take care of yourself this October and schedule your mammogram today!

Potential COVID-19 Exposure at Party, Local Restaurant/Bar

The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed that a guest at a party and two patrons at a local restaurant/bar have tested positive for COVID-19. Members of the public who were at the following locations during the timeframes listed may have been exposed.

Party at a private residence, Boston Street in Syracuse
Saturday, September 19, 5:30pm to 11:00pm
The gathering was open to the public so OCHD is unable to identify all who attended.

Sharkey’s Bar & Grill, 7240 Oswego Road in Liverpool
Thursday, September 24, 4:30pm to 10:00pm

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.

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

Don’t forget your flu vaccine this year!

This fall, please remember to get your flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive an annual flu vaccine. Everyone should be vaccinated yearly because immunity to flu viruses declines over time and circulating flu strains often change from year to year.

It is especially important to receive a flu vaccine this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza season usually starts in early fall, while the COVID-19 virus is still circulating. Getting vaccinated against seasonal flu not only decreases your risk of catching the flu, but also decreases the severity of flu illness and lessens the risk of overwhelming hospitals which are coping with ongoing COVID-19 cases.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, explained, “Everyone should get the flu vaccine to protect themselves, their family, and their community.” Dr. Gupta further emphasized that the flu vaccine is especially important for those at high risk for complications from severe flu such as:

  • Children 6 months through 59 months of age
  • People 50 years of age and older
  • Women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season
  • People of any age with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes
  • People who have a weakened immune system due to any cause
  • Children and adolescents (aged 6 months through 18 years) who are receiving aspirin-or salicylate-containing medications
  • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
  • American Indians / Alaska Natives
  • Persons who are extremely obese (BMI ≥ 40)
  • Those who live with or care for those who are at high risk for complications including:

In addition to getting vaccinated, staying home when you are sick, wearing your face mask, staying socially distanced from others, and practicing good hand hygiene and cough etiquette throughout the season will reduce your chance of getting or spreading the flu.

Talk to your health care provider today about getting your flu vaccine or find a flu vaccine at a pharmacy near you! If you do not have health insurance and need a flu vaccine, call the Onondaga County Health Department at 315.435.2000.

To learn more about the flu, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

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

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

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.

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