Cortland rate at 132 cases per 100,000

Cortland County remained a medium risk of COVID-19 spread, the federal government reported Thursday, although Cayuga, Onondaga and Madison counties were elevated to high risk, triggering advice to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces.

Tioga and Broome Counties, however, were dropped to medium risk from high risk.

Cortland County had 63 new cases of COVID-19 between Oct. 6 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 132.41 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: 132.41 — medium
Tompkins: 129.18 — medium
Cayuga: 168.46 — high
Onondaga: 167.42 — high
Broome: 190.04 — medium
Chenango: 114.39 — low
Tioga: 172.19 — medium
Madison: 205.80 — high

9 COVID cases reported in Cortland
Cortland County reported nine cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,616, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 45 new cases Thursday, the state reported. The three counties have seen 56,775 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 391.

• One new COVID patient was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center Wednesday, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The hospital had 13 COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 773 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Oct. 7. The state Health Department reports 302,217 tests have been administered. The state has reported 129 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 27 new cases Thursday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 24,928. The state reports 3,052,478 tests have been administered. Ninety-five Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 18 new cases Thursday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 19,231. The state reports 387,861 tests have been administered, and 167 people have died.