16 cases reported in Cortland County

Cortland County reported 16 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,349, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 51 new cases, the state reported Wednesday. The three counties have seen 55,615 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 382.

• Two new COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Tuesday, the state Health Department reported Wednesday. The hospital had eight 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 299,329 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 33 new cases Wednesday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,471. The state reports 3,047,947 tests have been administered. Ninety-two Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 18 new cases Wednesday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 18,795. The state reports 383,254 tests have been administered, and 163 people have died.

Cortland County at 172 cases per 100,000
Cortland County had 82 new cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 14 and Tuesday, giving it a rate of 172.34 cases per 100,000 people, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

It had a “medium” 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: 172.34 — medium
Tompkins: 174.20 — low
Cayuga: 156.71 — medium
Onondaga: 183.92 — medium
Broome: 154.87 — high
Chenango: 184.29 — low
Tioga: 201.23 — high
Madison: 135.32 — medium