Cortland, Tompkins low risk, but Cayuga elevated

Cortland and Tompkins counties remained a low coronavirus risk, but Cayuga and Onondaga counties were elevated to medium risk, the CDC reported Thursday.

Cortland County had 48 new cases of COVID-19 between Aug. 18 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 100.88 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: 100.88 — low
  Tompkins: 145.82 — low
  Cayuga: 121.45 — medium
  Onondaga: 127.25 — medium
  Broome: 118.64 — medium
  Chenango: 148.28 — low
  Tioga: 147.29 — medium
  Madison: 83.17 — low

12 cases reported in Cortland
Cortland County reported 12 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,040, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 40 new cases, the state reported Thursday. The three counties have seen 54,279 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 382.

• One COVID patients was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Wednesday, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The hospital had five COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 721 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that figure was last updated Aug. 18. The state Health Department reports 296,429 tests have been administered. The state has reported 128 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 28 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The number of confirmed cases rose to 23,849. The state reports 3,041,657 tests have been administered. Ninety-one Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 12 new cases, the state Health Department reported Thursday. Confirmed cases rose to 18,390. The state reports 378,705 tests have been administered, and 163 people have died.