13 cases reported in Cortland County

Cortland County reported 13 cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,443, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 46 new cases, and one death, the state reported Tuesday. The three counties have seen 55,975 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus has risen to 385.

• Three new COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Monday, and one Friday, the state Health Department reported Tuesday. The hospital had five COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 742 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Sept. 14. The state Health Department reports 300,143 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 27 new cases Tuesday, and one death the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,623. The state reports 3,049,339 tests have been administered. Ninety-three Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 19 new cases Tuesday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 18,909. The state reports 384,588 tests have been administered, and 165 people have died.

Cortland County at 191 cases per 100,000
Cortland County had 91 new cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 20 and Monday, giving it a rate of 191.25 cases per 100,000 people, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

It had a “low” risk, under CDC guidelines. Under metrics and guidance from the CDC — which take into account the number of new cases in a week, the number of hospitalizations and hospital capacity:

• In counties with a “high risk,” wearing a mask in indoor public places is still recommended.
• In counties with a “medium risk,” people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. People at a high risk for severe illness should consult their healthcare provider about the need for a mask or other precautions.
•  In counties with a “low risk,” no additional precautions beyond staying up to date with vaccines and getting tested if one has symptoms are recommended.

The rates and risk, from the CDC:
Cortland: 191.25 — low
Tompkins: 182.03 — low
Cayuga: 150.18 — medium
Onondaga: 204.98 — medium
Broome: 156.97 — medium
Chenango: 171.58 — low
Tioga: 163.89 — medium
Madison: 124.05 — medium