TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY – The Tompkins County Health Department announced ten new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, raising confirmed active infections in the county to double digits, a level not seen locally since June 16. .
Five of the ten new cases are related to out-of-state travel and four are related to a known case at a local meeting on July 4 where no social distancing and wearing of masks were observed. TCHD announced an increase in travel-related cases and a Christmas party on Friday. A case is connected to an active positive case with all identified close contacts. The county has completed contact tracing for all new cases and none represents exposure to the general public, TCHD said in a statement Tuesday night.
“The recent surge in positive cases in our community is troubling, we need to continue to take this virus seriously and do everything we can to prevent it from continuing to spread in Tompkins County. We have all worked hard to keep our numbers low and to help To protect our friends and families, we can’t let that hard work go to waste by not following the guide, “said Tompkins County Director of Public Health Frank Kruppa.
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TCHD has been reluctant to share more identifying information than is necessary to protect patients’ medical privacy, but according to Kruppa, showing how the virus spreads and how fast it can occur is key to keeping numbers low locally.
“We have not previously published this level of information on positive cases to protect people’s privacy. However, it is important to share the nature of how these people were exposed to illustrate the potential impact of not taking this seriously. COVID-19 continues It is a disease that can spread quickly. I am hopeful that everyone will continue to assess their own risk and the risk they are putting to others each time they leave. “
Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, president of the Tompkins County Legislature, echoed Kruppa’s call not to be fooled with a false sense of security because numbers have been low in Tompkins County recently.
“This recent increase in cases shows the importance of not becoming complacent. Wearing masks, keeping distance, and refraining from traveling unnecessarily are critical to keeping us, our families, and our neighbors safe and healthy.” “We cannot begin to relax because the virus is still spreading in our community. We all have a part to stop the spread, and even as many facets of our community open up, we must remain vigilant and act with caution and concern for the safety of ourselves and others. “
While TCHD says that none of the ten new cases represents exposure to the public and is not asking people for tests, people who are symptomatic or are concerned about being exposed can look for evidence at the health sampling site of Cayuga, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. M. A 4 p. M. To pre-register, call the Cayuga Health Call Center at 607-319-5708, or cayugahealth.org
