7 cases reported in Cortland County

Cortland County reported seven cases of COVID-19 Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,291, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 49 new cases, the state reported Friday. The three counties have seen 55,353 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 383.

• One new COVID patient was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Wednesday, and one Thursday, the state Health Department reported Friday. The hospital had five COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 738 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Sept. 8. The state Health Department reports 298,739 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 24 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,348. The state reports 3,046,685 tests have been administered. Ninety-two Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 25 new cases, the state Health Department reported Friday. Confirmed cases rose to 18,714. The state reports 382,257 tests have been administered, and 163 people have died.

Cortland at 216 cases per 100,000
Cortland County had 103 new cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 9 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 o ther 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: 131.14 — low
Cayuga: 111.00 — medium
Onondaga: 124.21 — medium
Broome: 131.24 — high
Chenango: 99.56 — low
Tioga: 114.10 — high
Madison: 100.08 — low