Cortland County residents urged to wear masks
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention upgraded Cortland County to a county at high-risk or transmitting COVID-19 on Thursday, as the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 increased, along with an increase in the number of cases, joining Tompkins and Chenango counties.
The increase comes as the BA.2.12.1 subvariant of the Omicron variant sweeps across Central New York and into the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier, show data from the state Health Department.
All cases in New York are some from of the Omicgron variant, but the BA.2.12.1 subvariant accounts for more than 75% of the new cases in Central New York, while only 41.6% statewide.
Cortland County reported 147 new cases of coronavirus from April 21 to Wednesday, and as many as eight people hospitalized at one time at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Cortland has 308.95 new cases per 100,000 people over the past week.
Under CDC guidance — which take into account the number of new cases in a week, the number of hospitalizations and hospital capacity — Cortland County was upgraded to having a “high risk” of transmission, as was Tompkins and Chenango counties. Cayuga remains a high risk:
- In counties with a “high risk,” wearing a mask in indoor public places is 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: 308.95 — high
Tompkins: 451.16 — high
Cayuga: 235.06 — high
Onondaga: 373.92 — high
Broome: 384.80 — high
Chenango: 224.54 — medium
Tioga: 452.25 — high
Madison: 311.53 — high
Cortland County reports 30 new COVID cases
Cortland County saw 30 new cases of COVID-19, the state Health Department reported Thursday, bringing the county to a total of 11,123 cases since the pandemic began.
Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 122 new cases and one death, the state reported Thursday.
The three counties have seen 48,332 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 352.
- One new COVID patient was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Tuesday, the state reported Wednesday. The hospital had six COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 650 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID. The state Health Department reports 280,222 tests have been administered. The state has reported 118 deaths.
- Tompkins County saw 91 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The number of confirmed cases rose to 20,178. The state reports 2,992,455 tests have been administered. Eighty-four Tompkins residents have died.
- In Cayuga County saw 31 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. Confirmed cases rose to 17,031. The state reports 354,854 tests have been administered, and 150 people have died.
163,365 received COVID vaccine in 3 counties
The state Health Department reports 29,409 Cortland County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, or 61.5% of the county’s total population.
A total of 58.1% of the county has been fully vaccinated, and 69.9% of the eligible population has received a booster.
In Tompkins County, 84,560 people have received at least one dose, or 82.3% of the population; 75.1% are fully vaccinated. and 71.5% of the eligible population has been boosted.
In Cayuga County, 49,396 residents have received at least one dose, or 64% of the population; 59.8% are fully vaccinated and 69.5% of the eligible population has been boosted.
Across the state, 16.56 million people have received at least one dose, or 90.1% of the population. A total of 76.8% have received two doses.
