With skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, St. Lawrence County sheriff warns no one should travel for non-essential reasons

By Andy Gardner

CANTON. On the heels of an announcement that St. Lawrence County has the fastest growth of COVID-19 cases in the entire state, the sheriff has issued an advisory that no one in the county should be traveling for non-essential purposes.

At the Monday, April 6 St. Lawrence County legislature meeting, Dr. Andrew Williams said the county went from one COVID-19 case on March 25 to 63 on the day he spoke. County officials reported 70 cases by Tuesday, April 7.

“At least as of this morning, St. Lawrence County has the most rapidly growing coronavirus incidence in the entire state,” Dr. Williams said April 6.

At the same meeting, Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe said deputies will respond to complaints of non-essential gatherings. The following day, he issued a warning that no one should be traveling for any reason besides food shopping, working for an essential business, or seeking medical care.

“To the citizens of St. Lawrence County, please take notice that due to the new phase of this pandemic locally in St. Lawrence County, I am issuing a travel advisory for St. Lawrence County,” Bigwarfe said in the April 7 warning. “I would sincerely appreciate every citizens’ cooperation during this period in refraining from all non-essential travel. We are at a very critical juncture in the fight against COVID-19 and the models that I have been provided warn of very dire consequences if we do not limit non-essential gatherings and non-essential travel. Please stay home, practice social distancing, and follow all public health directives. Only travel if you are buying food, are traveling to or from a deemed essential occupation, or seeking medical attention. I take no pleasure in issuing such an advisory but please understand that this is for the safety and well-being of all county residents. This advisory will be in effect until it is receded.”

The previous day, he said his department is still getting calls about people gathering in groups for non-essential reasons.

“We’ve gotten calls about funeral homes, the Amish, certain businesses,” the sheriff said at the April 6 county board meeting held online via the Zoom platform. “We’re still in the education phase.”

He said based on what he’s heard from medical experts, he feels that the county’s COVID-19 problem is far from over.

“I don’t think we’ve plateaued out. I don’t think we’re even at the apex,” the sheriff said. “Now more than ever, the next two to three weeks in St. Lawrence County, is when we tighten things up and really social distance. It is for the betterment of all citizens if everybody follows the directives.”

“What would be your recommendation if you do see people gathering or you see someone who has tested positive and they’re out circulating,” Legislator Nicole Terminelli, D-Massena, asked Bigwarfe during the meeting.

“We’ll take all the complaints. We take everything seriously,” Bigwarfe said, adding that people can report non-essential gatherings to his department at (315)379-2222.