16 cases reported in Cortland

Cortland County reported 16 cases of COVID-19 Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,487, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 53 new cases, the state reported Friday. The three counties have seen 56,180 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 387.

• One new COVID patients wase admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Thursday, the state Health Department reported Friday. The hospital had six COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 760 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Sept. 27. The state Health Department reports 300,644 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 19 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,692. The state reports 3,050,068 tests have been administered. Ninety-four Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 34 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 19,001. The state reports 385,397 tests have been administered, and 165 people have died.

Cortland at 216 cases per 100,000
Cortland County had 103 new cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 23 and Thursday, giving it a rate of 216.47 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: 216.47 — medium
Tompkins: 166.37 — low
Cayuga: 190.66 — medium
Onondaga: 219.75 — high
Broome: 164.84 — medium
Chenango: 163.11 — medium
Tioga: 165.96 — medium
Madison: 163.52 — medium

College records 11 cases
SUNY Cortland reported 11 cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 23 and Thursday: five among students and six employees.

It reported 33 cases the week before.