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Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon is quarantining at his home after he was exposed to COVID-19, McMahon announced at a virtual press conference Monday.

McMahon was exposed to a family member who tested positive for COVID-19, and he has since tested negative. It’s unclear when the exposure took place and how long McMahon will quarantine.

“The safe thing to do to stop any potential spread is for me to stay home for a couple more days,” McMahon said. “It’s been a tough, busy week.”

The county executive’s exposure to the virus comes as COVID-19 cases in Onondaga County and across the country continue to surge. The county confirmed 235 new cases of the virus Sunday.

The number of county residents entering hospitals continues to increase, and hospitals could become overwhelmed, McMahon said. The county reported 145 hospitalizations Monday.

The county on Monday also reported a 4.6% seven-day positivity rate, which McMahon said can be attributed to fewer tests being conducted over Thanksgiving weekend.

McMahon said he’s concerned that cases of the virus will continue to increase because of Thanksgiving and Black Friday. The current uptick in cases is in part the result of small gatherings, he said.

“The reality is people are getting sick,” McMahon said. “That’s why we need to modify our social behavior.”

Published on November 30, 2020 at 4:37 pm

Contact Mira: mlberenb@syr.edu