Cortland remains at medium risk

Cortland remained at a medium risk of coronavirus spread, the federal government has reported, although Broome and Tioga counties were lowered to low risk, and Cayuga, Onondaga and Madison counties were lowered to medium risk.

Cortland County had 45 new cases of COVID-19 between Oct. 13 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 94.58 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: 94.58 — medium
Tompkins: 134.08 — medium
Cayuga: 139.73 — medium
Onondaga: 137.23 — medium
Broome: 185.84 — low
Chenango: 101.68 — low
Tioga: 168.04 — low
Madison: 142.37 — medium

7 COVID cases reported in Cortland
Cortland County reported seven cases of COVID-19 on Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,663, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 36 new cases Friday, the state reported. The three counties have seen 57,100 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 on Thursday, the state Health Department reported Friday. The hospital had eight COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 791 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Oct. 19. The state Health Department reports 303,053 tests have been administered. The state has reported 129 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 19 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 25,087. The state reports 3,054,008 tests have been administered. Ninety-five Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 17 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 19,350. The state reports 389,360 tests have been administered, and 167 people have died.