Madison County Chairman John M. Becker today declared a State of Emergency in Madison County as of 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2020 until rescinded due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This declaration gives the school districts the ability to close if they so choose. As of March 15, 2020 Madison County has no positive cases of COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Most people experience mild illness and recover from COVID-19 without needing medical treatment. People who have conditions that may result in more severe illness from COVID-19 include women who are pregnant, older adults, and persons of any age who have a preexisting medical condition.
“The step of declaring a State of Emergency even without having a case in the County is an important one,” said Chairman Becker. “The Madison County Department of Health and Office of Emergency Management are on the front lines of the response and preparations for if and when the virus comes to our County. We are entering into uncharted territory here in the United States and it is important that we here in Madison County do our part.”
“I take comfort, and the residents of Madison County should as well, that we are a full-service county and that we have some of the best people in the state working right here,” continued Chairman Becker. “We are working with our health care centers, schools, and first responders to make sure they have the support they need during this time.”
Chairman Becker asks the help of the community to remain calm, safe, patient and understanding during this time. The Madison County Department of Health stresses that if you become sick, please stay at home and hold off on trips to public places and events until you are well. Public Health urges those who are not seriously ill to avoid hospital emergency departments, but instead call their primary healthcare provider or the newly opened regional COVID-19 triage line if they think they have symptoms.
Upstate University Hospital has opened a triage line for the sole purpose of answering Central New Yorker’s questions about COVID-19. The phone line will take calls daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 315-464-3979. The line is meant for area residents who have coronavirus-related questions, those showing possible symptoms, or someone who may have had an exposure to someone diagnosed with a positive case of COVID-19.
