Broome Reports New COVID-19 But Remains Optimistic About Reopening

Broome County is reporting two more deaths from the coronavirus and seven new cases even as the County Executive is cautiously optimistic about the first phase of reopening the economy.

Jason Garnar says a man and a woman, both in their 80s died as a result of COVID-19 May 19 and the County’s total number of cases is put at 431.

Earlier, the Democrat told a meeting of the New York State Association of Counties the number of cases in the region has not moved much since Phase One reopening began on Friday.

Broome is one of eight counties making up the Southern Tier Region that was allowed to be among the first areas in the state to begin a slow restart of the economy.

Garnar has told reporters since phase 1 reopening day May 15 he was excited about getting business going again but concerned about the potential for a new hike in infections.  

Since Friday, Broome has gone from 406 cases and 28 deaths on Saturday, May 16 to 32 deaths.

Tioga County has reported four new cases and no additional deaths in the past few days while Chenango and Delaware Counties, both also in the Southern Tier Region, reported no additional deaths and a couple additional cases in each county since Friday.

Regions that have been allowed to reopen some manufacturing, construction and curb-side retail must continue to meet hospitalization, tracing, and infection benchmarks in order to move to the next reopening phase.