CHENANGO – The Chenango County Health Department is in the process of quickly expanding its contact tracing capability, as confirmed COVID cases rise and the area prepares to received the first vaccinations later this month.

“We've seen people in every demographic get the virus,” said Chenango County Director of Environmental Health and Code Enforcement Isaiah Sutton.

Thursday, Dec. 17, there were 132 active cases of COVID-19 in the county and 542 residents under quarantine. A total of 16 resident have died, seven are currently hospitalized and 730 have made recoveries. More than 50,933 tests have been administered in the county.

To compare, a few weeks ago on on Dec. 1 the county reported 52 active COVID cases and 295 quarantines. At that time there were 10 confirmed deaths and a total of 45,267 tests given.

Elderly patients in nursing facilities comprise a large portion of the recorded COVID-19 deaths in Chenango, with the victim's ages ranging from mid-50s to late-90s, reported Sutton.

“Most of them seem to have some underlying condition, though not all of them had severe issues at the time of infection,” he said.

The health department attributed most of the recent COVID cases to close gatherings taking place in in the last two weeks.

“Households, some extended family in from other areas, some larger friends and family gatherings, some social gathering,” said Sutton, listing causes in recent cases.