The 13905 zip code on the West Side of Binghamton is now home to the most cases in Broome County.

"We had that one day where we saw 10% of the tests from that one zip code come back positive,” said County Executive Jason Garnar.


What You Need To Know

  • Governor Andrew Cuomo laid out his Cluster Action Initiative plan to manage COVID-19 hotspots

  • Binghamton's West Side is in the yellow category or "pre-cautionary zone."

  • The regulations must be implemented by Friday and will last for two weeks

Garnar says since then, the county has had a spike in cases, rising from about 50 to 450.

"It just shows how quickly this virus can turn, how quickly it can spread,” said Garnar. “That eight days ago, we were thinking we were doing really well."

To help Binghamton and other cities stop the spread, the governor presented the Cluster Action Initiative. Hotspots are put in a red, orange, or yellow category and put under new restrictions. Binghamton is in the yellow or pre-cautionary zone.

"Binghamton will immediately support enforcement of new cluster rules announced Tuesday by Governor Cuomo,” said Binghamton Mayor Rich David. “Including 25 person max gatherings and four person maximum per table at restaurants in the designated zip codes."

It also limits worship services to 50% capacity and requires weekly testing of students and teachers meeting in person. Garnar said they already placed a mobile testing site outside of St. Patrick's Church on Monday.

"Within 24 hours, all the online appointments have been booked through Friday,” said Garnar. “We're going to certainly continue that site into next week. It just shows you the need to have the testing."

Garnar says everyone has to do their part, and residents must be responsible and officials have to enforce the rules.

"If they do find violations, those restaurants will be cited and fined,” said Garnar.

The regulations must be implemented by Friday and will last for two weeks.