Garnar Discusses Coronavirus Confusion After Cuomo Briefing

Although several people have been tested for coronavirus in recent days, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar says no positive test results have been received.

Garnar spoke Thursday afternoon, shortly after Governor Andrew Cuomo displayed information at an Albany briefing indicating a COVID-19 case had been confirmed in Broome County.

The county executive said the state incorrectly identified a positive case "that actually occurred in a different county."

Garnar said the "patient is currently living in that county and quarantined in that county."

The county executive expressed frustration over the confusion that had occurred. He noted Broome's emergency operations center had just been opened to coordinate the local coronavirus response.

Garnar said a drill was held to prepare for the announcement of the first positive COVID-19 case in the county. He said "it didn't happen quite the way we thought it was going to happen - because it didn't happen." But, he said, "we're ready and we're prepared for it and when it happens, we'll do it."

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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