Broome County has passed 65,000 residents infected with COVID-19 as it begins distribution of thousands more home test kits.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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The County Health Department Friday, September 16 announced the pandemic total at 65,072.  Another death was also added bringing the county morbidity to 552.

Health officials continue to stress the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted, especially going into the colder months when more people will be in close quarters in enclosed spaces and the coronavirus mutations become more transmissible.

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In addition to getting the current shots, residents are reminded to stay home if they don’t feel well.  Flu season is going to be starting soon as well and flu vaccines are also encouraged.

People are urged to test for COVID if they don’t feel well and report any positive results to health officials who can offer guidance on such things as isolation and treatment.

Meanwhile, the Department of Emergency Services says it has received 20,000 test kits from the state that are currently available at the Health Department.

Broome County Department of Emergency Services via facebook
Broome County Department of Emergency Services via facebook
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Emergency Services officials say they requested the free test kits from New York State after receiving dozens of requests over the past few weeks.  That after the federal government announced it would no longer be mailing free kits to households.

The announcement of the availability of the additional kits has brought some backlash on social media with some people objecting to continued testing while the Emergency Management Division stresses the additional kits were requested “solely on the requests from our community.”

The home COVID self-test kits are available during regular office hours at the Broome County Health Department at 225 Front Street, Binghamton.

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