Chenango returns to low risk; Madison elevated

After a week as a high risk and a recommendation to wear a mask in all indoor public places, Chenango County returned to a low risk for coronavirus, the CDC reported Thursday.

However, Madison County was elevated to a medium risk as Cortland and Tompkins counties remained a low risk; Cayuga County remained a medium risk.

Cortland County had 67 new cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 1 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 140.81 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: 140.81 — low
Tompkins: 148.76 — low
Cayuga: 126.67 — medium
Onondaga: 108.79 — medium
Broome: 164.39 — medium
Chenango: 108.03 — low
Tioga: 143.14 — medium
Madison: 94.44 — low

10 cases reported in Cortland County
Cortland County reported 10 cases of COVID-19 Thursday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,167, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 42 new cases Wednesday, the state reported. The three counties have seen 54,921 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 382.

• Two COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Tuesday, but none Wednesday, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The hospital had four COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 733 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Sept. 2. The state Health Department reports 297,529 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 25 new cases Thursday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,169. The state reports 3,044,481 tests have been administered. Ninety-one Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 17 new cases Thursday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 18,585. The state reports 380,524 tests have been administered, and 163 people have died.