Nine new cases in Cortland County

Cortland County saw nine new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, the state Health Department reported Sunday, bringing the county to a total of 11,905 cases since the pandemic began.

Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 52 new cases over the weekend, the state reported Sunday. The three counties have seen 53,582 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus remains 379.

• One COVID patient was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Thursday. The hospital had three COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 712 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID, but that figure was last updated July 28. The state Health Department reports 294,801 tests have been administered. The state has reported 127 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 33 new cases over the weekend, the state Health Department reported Sunday. The number of confirmed cases rose to 23,490. The state reports 3,037,580 tests have been administered. Ninety Tompkins residents have died.
• Cayuga County saw 19 new cases over the weekend, the state Health Department reported Sunday. Confirmed cases rose to 18,187. The state reports 375,733 tests have been administered, and 162 people have died.

Cortland's rate at 124 cases per 100,000
Cortland County had 59 new cases of COVID-19 between July 29 and Thursday, giving it a rate of 124 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: 124.00 — low
  Tompkins: 174.20 — low
  Cayuga: 103.80 — medium
  Onondaga: 142.45 — medium
  Broome: 131.77 — medium
  Chenango: 103.80 — low
  Tioga: 118.25 — medium
  Madison: 91.63 — low