Neither county’s health department has yet reported a death related to COVID-19.

The number of test-confirmed cases in Essex County grew to 29 on Tuesday, April 28, up by two from 27 on Monday and an increase of 24 since the same time last month. The number of test-confirmed cases in Franklin County was 13 as of Tuesday, no increase from Monday but nine more than the county had at the same time last month.

As of Tuesday, doctors had reported 15 suspected cases of COVID-19 in Essex County, no change from Monday. Doctors reported 86 suspected cases in Franklin County, up by two from Monday.

Neither county was publicly reporting doctor-suspected cases of COVID-19 around this time last month. The counties’ health departments initially operated with a focus on test-confirmed cases, with contact tracers deployed to reach out to those who may have been exposed only after a person tested positive for COVID-19. But early on, all of the local hospitals, faced with a lack of testing materials amid a nationwide shortage, restricted testing to only the sickest patients and health care workers. That prompted health departments to pivot, shifting their strategy to more heavily rely on doctors’ assessment of cases. It was at the beginning of this month that both counties began releasing the number of suspected cases reported to them.

With testing still limited, public health officials have said the number of COVID-19 cases is likely far higher than what the data suggests. People are still encouraged to stay isolated when possible, wear a mask in public and keep 6 feet apart from other people.

Elizabethtown Community Hospital and its Ticonderoga Campus do have some tests available. The hospital’s testing service, made possible by a recent delivery of testing materials from the state, is available to people with respiratory symptoms or other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, those who have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case of the disease, and those who have to test negative before returning to work. Appointments for the testing service are available daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To schedule an appointment in Elizabethtown, call 518-873-3069.

For Ticonderoga, call 518-585-3927.

Visit coronavirus.health

.ny.gov to access an online assessment for COVID-19 and to find more information about the novel coronavirus.