Guthrie to keep mask requirement
Guthrie announced Friday it continues to require masks in all its facilities in New York and Pennsylvania, in accordance with federal guidelines.
All patients, visitors and staff must wear a mask while inside a Guthrie facility, regardless of vaccination status, reports the Sayre, Pa.-based health organization that operates Guthrie Cortland Medical Center.
5 new cases, 1 death, reported in Cortland
Cortland County saw five new cases of COVID-19, the state Health Department reported Friday, and one death, bringing the county to a total of 10,311 cases since the pandemic began.
Tompkins and Cayuga counties reported 74 new cases, the state reported Friday. The three counties have seen 43,510 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. The number of people who have died from the virus has risen to 339.
• One new COVID patient was admitted to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center on Wednesday, the state reported Thursday. The hospital had two COVID patients. Since the pandemic began, 599 Cortland County residents have been hospitalized for COVID. The state Health Department reports 268,677 tests have been administered. The state has reported 114 deaths.
• Tompkins County saw 58 new cases, the state Health Department reported Friday. The number of confirmed cases rose to 17,530. The state reports 2,941,489 tests have been administered. Eighty-two Tompkins residents have died.
• In Cayuga County, the state Health Department reported on Friday 16 new cases. Confirmed cases rose to 15,669. The state reports 336,293 tests have been administered, and 144 people have died.
Cortland County drops to low risk
Cortland County reported 51 new cases of coronavirus from Feb. 25 to Thursday. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Cortland has 107.19 new cases per 100,000 people over the past week.
Under new 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 — Cortland County was listed as having a “low risk” of transmission.
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: 107.19 — low
Tompkins: 172.25 — low
Cayuga: 121.45 — medium
Onondaga: 160.25 — medium
Broome: 107.09 — medium
Chenango: 99.56 — low
Tioga: 101.65 — medium
Madison: 83.17 — low
