The Tompkins County Health Department says there have now been 23,622 total positive cases in Tompkins County, 44 more than Friday, and a total of 1,934,392 tests performed. The Department of Health is also reporting positive self-test results that have been submitted through their online portal. They say there are 20 new positive self-test results for a total of 3,604 submitted. The death of a Tompkins County resident was reported Monday morning.
Related: TCHD: If you test positive on a home test
As of 8:35 a.m. Monday, the Department of Health says 294 tests were performed the day before. The Tompkins County Health Department releases NYS vaccine tracking information showing that 87,850 Tompkins County residents have had a first dose and 79,614 have completed vaccination (which could be one or two doses, depending on the vaccine).
Related: Many are eligible for second boosters or extra doses, Health Department says
The Department of Health says two people are currently hospitalized for COVID-19, three fewer than in Friday’s update. As for the data change last winter, “TCHD is only reporting active cases that have been hospitalized,” rather than including patients who have recovered from COVID who remain hospitalized for other reasons.
“Of the recent increase in hospitalizations, the vast majority have been from vaccinated individuals,” Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa tells us, but “from individuals who have been vaccinated and hospitalized for reasons related to COVID-19, the trend continues. that they are mostly elderly, aged 65+. These data point to the importance of boosters and second boosters for ages 65+.”
Related: CDC and FDA have authorized vaccines for 6 months and older, Health Department says
There have been 66 recorded deaths from COVID-19 among Tompkins County residents, including the death of an area resident reported in late August.
As of August 21, Cornell University reported 52 active student cases and 43 active faculty and staff cases. Cornell has switched to weekly updates, and the timing of their updates doesn’t allow for a direct comparison to county stats.
As of August 28, Ithaca College reported 48 active student cases, with 29 recovered, and five active employee cases and 17 recovered employees. (Ithaca College reset its recovered number to zero on August 1 to reflect the new academic year.)
The Department of Health says the public needs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 not only to protect themselves, but others in our community who are most at risk of getting very sick – the elderly, those who are compromised by immunity and those with hidden chronic. health conditions.
TCHD’s Frank Kruppa says, “There is a very high vaccination rate for our community, especially with the successes that have been reported from our local colleges. In addition to arrival testing and surveillance, many of our new cases arise from sustained close contact with a positive individual, meaning more than 10 minutes within six feet of a positive case. These close contacts are happening more often in large indoor gatherings that mix different groups of people.”
“For the past few weeks, our efforts have been focused on vaccinating our youth and providing booster doses to those who are eligible,” says Kruppa. “We are distributing self-tests and masks throughout the county as we receive shipments and thank our community partners for helping in this effort.”
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Connected: Coverage of the coronavirus on 14850 Today