coronavirus briefs -- December 17, 2022

Cortland, Tompkins remain low Covid-19 risk

Posted

Cortland and Tompkins counties remained a low risk of coronavirus spread, the federal government reported Thursday, as the risk in Broome and Tioga counties was dropped to medium, too.

The risk level remains low in Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison and Chenango.
Cortland County had 41 new cases of COVID-19 between Dec. 8 and Wednesday, giving it a rate of 86.17 cases per 100,000 people, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

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: 86.17 — low
    Tompkins: 117.44 — low
    Cayuga: 79.66 — low
    Onondaga: 73.39 — low
    Broome: 97.12 — medium
    Chenango: 78.38 — low
    Tioga: 126.55 — medium
    Madison: 66.25 — low

Cortland County reports 8 new COVID cases

Cortland County reported eight cases of COVID-19 Friday, raising the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 12,961, the state Health Department reports.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 22 new cases Friday, and one death, the state reported. The three counties have seen 58,598 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus has risen to 403.

  • No new COVID patients were admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Wednesday, the state Health Department reported Thursday. The hospital had two COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 835 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID; that number was last updated Monday. The state Health Department reports 309,569 tests have been administered. The state has reported 132 deaths.

  • ompkins County saw 12 new cases Friday, the state Health Department reported. The number of confirmed cases rose to 25,827. The state reports 3,064,448 tests have been administered. Ninety-eight Tompkins residents have died.

  •  Cayuga County saw 10 new cases Friday, and one death, the state Health Department reported. Confirmed cases rose to 19,810. The state reports 400,110 tests have been administered, and 173 people have died.