Cuomo issues warning: parts of Syracuse heading for ‘orange zone’

Syracuse, New York – Parts of the city of Syracuse are heading towards an “orange zone” unless the number of coronavirus cases changes dramatically in the coming days, Governor Andrew Cuomo said today.

It was not immediately clear which parts of Syracuse are in this designation. The city and parts of Onondaga County are currently in a yellow zone.

“We have several communities that are on the alert path,” he said, which means places like Syracuse are wavering towards Orange Zone restrictions.

“Part of the city of Syracuse will enter an orange zone at this rate,” he said.

Cuomo issued the same orange zone warning for parts of Long Island. He said these communities still have a chance in the coming days to make a difference.

But if the number of cases continues to rise in these areas, they are heading for further restrictions, he said.

An orange zone further limits crowds at church services, stops eating indoors, and cuts off personal care services, such as salons and barber shops. Gyms would also close. Schools would become distant.

“The problem is, it’s a dangerous time,” he said. This includes returning students, shopping sprees, holiday season and more social activities.

Just days ago, Cuomo staff explained why Syracuse remains yellow, despite the higher number of coronavirus cases.

The state says the Orange Zone rules begin when the seven-day average exceeds 3% for large cities and 4% to 5% for less populated areas for at least 10 days. The red zone rules start with a positive test rate of 4% for large cities and 5% to 6% in less populated areas.

Onondaga County’s seven-day rate (Saturday) in the yellow zone was 5.65%, according to state data.

Other factors the state takes into account when imposing cluster zones include cases per 100,000 population, hospitalization trends, and cooperation from community and local governments.

Ultimately, it’s about what actually happens in the affected areas, Cuomo said.

The governor also continued to urge people to be cautious as the holiday season approaches – and to expect an increase in viral transmissions.

He says he expects to see an increase in cases in the first 10 days of December. It will be the fallout from the Thanksgiving celebrations, he said.

Then he says he expects another peak in early January, the effects of the holiday season, Christmas and shopping.

Today, Cuomo reported that 30 more people have died.

Across New York City, 196,608 tests were returned on Saturday. Of these, 5,391 were positive, or 2.74%.

There are 2,562 people hospitalized statewide, Cuomo said.

The restrictions of the orange zone include:

• Non-essential gatherings will be limited to 10 people
• Places of worship are subject to a capacity limit of the lesser of 33% of maximum occupancy or 25 people, whichever is less
• Restaurants and taverns must stop serving food or drink to customers inside the premises, but may provide service outside and may be opened for take out or delivery, provided any group or group is seated. does not exceed 4 people.
• Schools must close for in-person instruction, unless the decree provides otherwise.
• Some non-essential businesses, for which there is a higher risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus, will reduce the in-person workforce by 100%; these companies include:
  • Gyms, fitness centers or classes
  • Hairdressing salons and hairdressing salon
  • All other personal care services including but not limited to spas, tattoo or piercing parlors, nail technicians and nail salons, cosmetologists, estheticians, hair removal supply laser and electrolysis

It’s a story of rupture. Check back for updates.

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