17 COVID cases reported in Cortland

Cortland County reported 17 cases of COVID-19 on Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,633, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 40 new cases Friday, the state reported. The three counties have seen 56,832 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 391.

• One new COVID patient was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center Thursday, the state Health Department reported Friday. The hospital had nine COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 782 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Oct. 12. The state Health Department reports 302,345 tests have been administered. The state has reported 129 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 19 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,947. The state reports 3,052,658 tests have been administered. Ninety-five Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 21 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 19,252. The state reports 388,027 tests have been administered, and 167 people have died.

Cortland rate at 124 cases per 100,000
Cortland County had 59 new cases of COVID-19 between Oct. 7 and Thursday, giving it a rate of 124.0 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: 124.00 — medium
Tompkins: 135.06 — medium
Cayuga: 161.93 — high
Onondaga: 156.78 — high
Broome: 187.94 — medium
Chenango: 108.03 — low
Tioga: 170.11 — medium
.000Madison: 208.62 — high