Cortland rises to medium risk

A week after Cortland County's risk of coronavirus transmission dropped to low, the federal government raised it again on Thursday to medium, even as Onondaga County was elevated to high risk, bringing a recommendation to wear masks in all public indoor spaces.

Tompkins County remained at low risk, but Chenango County was elevated to medium.
Cortland County had 107 new cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 22 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 224.88 cases per 100,000 people, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

It had a “medium” 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: 224.8 — medium
Tompkins: 180.07 — low
Cayuga: 191.97 — medium
Onondaga: 224.31 — high
Broome: 167.46 — medium
Chenango: 158.87 — medium
Tioga: 176.34 — medium
Madison: 155.06 — medium

15 cases reported in Cortland County
Cortland County reported 15 cases of COVID-19 Thursday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,471, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 43 new cases, and one death, the state reported Thursday. The three counties have seen 56,111 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus has risen to 386.

• No new COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Wednesday, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The hospital had seven COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 760 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Sept. 27. The state Health Department reports 300,483 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 18 new cases Thursday, and one death, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,673. The state reports 3,049,843 tests have been administered. Ninety-four Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 25 new cases Thursday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 18,967. The state reports 385,139 tests have been administered, and 165 people have died.