Broome COVID Active Cases Fall, Executive Talks Restarting Business

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar reports the number of active cases of the coronavirus is falling at a steady rate with 54 fewer being treated as of the April 28 update than the 140 active cases reported on April 24.

Two more people in the county have succumbed to the virus, a man and a woman, both in their 90s, bringing Broome’s COVID-19 death toll to 21.

Tioga County reports 97 confirmed coronavirus cases and six deaths since the start of the pandemic.  Chenango County reports 95 cases and Delaware Count 69.

With the steady decline in new cases, the Broome County Executive says he’s moving forward with a proposal, but not an actual plan yet, on reopening businesses. 

Jason Garnar says the health department, business leaders and Emergency Services have worked up a blueprint to be presented with other members of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council to New York for consideration. 

Garnar says the Broome outline would allow business to resume operations on a first-come-first serve basis as they meet distancing and other safety criteria. 

Any restart plans need approval by the state.