CORONAVIRUS BRIEFS -- Sept. 23, 2022

Cortland County drops back to low risk

Posted

Cortland County dropped to low risk from medium risk, the CDC reported Thursday night, meaning no additional precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are suggested.

Broome and Tioga dropped to medium risk from high risk, while other counties around Cortland remained unchanged.

Cortland County had 79 new cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 15 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 166.03 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: 166.03 — low
Tompkins: 164.42 — low
Cayuga: 163.24 — medium
Onondaga: 192.39 — medium
Broome: 154.87 — medium
Chenango: 190.65 — low
Tioga: 182.56 — medium
Madison: 131.09 — medium

19 cases reported in Cortland County
Cortland County reported 19 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,368, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 58 new cases, the state reported Thursday. The three counties have seen 55,692 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus has risen to 383.

  • Two new COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Tuesday, the state Health Department reported Wednesday. The hospital had eight COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 742 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Sept. 14. The state Health Department reports 299,509 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
  • Tompkins County saw 32 new cases Thursday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,503. The state reports 3,048,300 tests have been administered. Ninety-two Tompkins residents have died.
  • Cayuga County saw 26 new cases Thursday, and one death, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 18,821. The state reports 383,598 tests have been administered, and 164 people have died.