3 deaths, 61 cases reported in three counties

Cortland County reported 12 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, and one death, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,607, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 49 new cases Wednesday, and two deaths, the state reported. The three counties have seen 56,721 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus has risen to 391.

• Eleven new COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center from Saturday to Tuesday, the state Health Department reported Wednesday. The hospital had 17 COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 773 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Oct. 7. The state Health Department reports 302,131 tests have been administered. The state has reported 129 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 30 new cases Wednesday, and a death, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,901. The state reports 3,052,273 tests have been administered. Ninety-five Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 19 new cases Wednesday, and one death — its second this week, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 19,213. The state reports 387,578 tests have been administered, and 167 people have died.

Cortland rate at 149 cases per 100,000

Cortland County had 71 new cases of COVID-19 between Oct. 5 and Tuesday, giving it a rate of 149.22 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: 149.22 — medium
Tompkins: 126.25 — medium
Cayuga: 174.99 — medium
Onondaga: 176.32 — medium
Broome: 193.71 — high
Chenango: 116.51 — low
Tioga: 155.59 — high
Madison: 201.58 — medium