Chenango elevated to high risk

Chenango County was elevated Thursday to a high risk of COVID-19 and a recommendation that people mask in all indoor public places, although Cortland and Tompkins county remain low risks, the CDC announced.

Cortland County had 62 new cases of COVID-19 between Aug. 25 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 130.30 cases per 100,000 people, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

It had a “low” 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: 130.30 — low
  Tompkins: 167.35 — low
  Cayuga: 121.45 — medium
  Onondaga: 135.93 — medium
  Broome: 152.24 — medium
  Chenango: 235.13 — high
  Tioga: 155.59 — medium
  Madison: 100.08 — low

13 cases reported in Cortland County
Cortland County reported 13 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,103, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 64 new cases, the state reported Thursday. The three counties have seen 54,630 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 382.

• No COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Tuesday, the state Health Department reported Wednesday. The hospital had four COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 725 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Aug. 25. The state Health Department reports 296,979 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 39 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,031. The state reports 3,043,121 tests have been administered. Ninety-one Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 25 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. Confirmed cases rose to 18,496. The state reports 379,606 tests have been administered, and 163 people have died.