Cortland's remains "low" risk
Onondaga and Cayuga counties joined Broome and Tioga as a "medium" risk for COVID-19 transmission, reports the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Cortland and Tompkins remain at low risk as the BA.5 variant spreads across America.
Cortland County had 52 new cases of COVID-19 between July 28 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 109.29 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: 109.29 — low
Tompkins: 182.03 — low
Cayuga: 92.72 — medium
Onondaga: 142.23 — medium
Broome: 130.72 — medium
Chenango: 95.32 — low
Tioga: 126.55 — medium
Madison: 80.35 — low
15 new cases in Cortland County
Cortland County saw 15 new cases of COVID-19, the state Health Department reported Thursday, bringing the county to a total of 11,887 cases since the pandemic began.
Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 39 new cases, the state reported Thursday. The three counties have seen 53,471 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 379.
- No COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Tuesday or Wednesday. The hospital had three COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 712 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID, but that figure was last updated July 28. The state Health Department reports 294,518 tests have been administered. The state has reported 127 deaths.
- Tompkins County saw 28 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The number of confirmed cases rose to 23,423. The state reports 3,036,658 tests have been administered. Ninety Tompkins residents have died.
- Cayuga County saw 11 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. Confirmed cases rose to 18,161. The state reports 375,244 tests have been administered, and 162 people have died.