Finger Lakes meets many reopening metrics

FINGER LAKES--While the various regions of New York look to reopen after the state mandated pause, May 15, Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented new guidelines Monday, May 4 to show key statistics in the battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
On a chart in his daily press briefing, key metics he reported for regional reopening included hospitalizations, deaths, heath care capacity and testing with tracing. For the Finger Lakes region, it showed a 14-day decline in hospitalizations or under 15 new hospitalizations (3-day average); 14-day decline in hospital deaths or fewer than five deaths (3-day average); New hospitalizations (under two per 100K residents - 3-day rolling average); Share of total beds available at 53 percent; and Share of ICU bed available - 64 percent. The region did not meet 30 per 1000 residents tested monthly (seven-day average).
The Southern Tier region followed the Finger Lakes with acceptable metrics except testing.
Cuomo also outlined which industries and businesses can open in each phase of the state's re-opening plan. Businesses considered "more essential" with inherent low risks of infection in the workplace and to customers will be prioritized, followed by other businesses considered "less essential" or those that present a higher risk of infection spread. Regions must not open attractions or businesses that would draw a large number of visitors from outside the local area according to state guidelines.
Locally, Yates County has 29 total positive cases, 19 recovered, one hospitalized, three dead, 315 tested negative and 15 in isolation or quarantine. Schuyler has gone three weeks without a new case. Nine were positive and nine recovered, 8 are in isolation or quarantine. Steuben again leads local totals with 239 confirmed cases, 132 recovered, 7 hospitalized, 38 dead, and 158 in isolation or quarantine.