Tompkins County Sets New One-Day Positive COVID-19 Test Record, Clusters Identified

TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY – The latest daily COVID-19 test update from the Tompkins County Health Department shows the most positive tests reported in a single day since the pandemic began in March, as 30 people were tested positive in the results reported Thursday.

There have now been 87 positive tests found in the past seven days in Tompkins County. There are now 101 active cases of the coronavirus in Tompkins County, the most since the start of the pandemic. Ten people are hospitalized, also the most since the start of the pandemic.

Three specific events were mentioned in the health department statement which all resulted in clusters of coronavirus cases: a series of household-related gatherings resulted in 10 positive cases; students who attended multiple meetings with different groups of people at each meeting resulted in more than 10 positive cases; a church group meeting resulted in four positive cases. Contact investigations related to these events are still ongoing.

The previous upper limit for positive single-day test results was 25, set in early September when Cornell University returned to campus. Due to the peak, the health department “now discourages all gatherings between households and all non-essential travel.” In the past seven days, Cornell has confirmed nine positive tests on campus.

School vice president for student and college life Ryan Lombardi sent a message to the school community on Thursday evening, saying the school expects further positive tests to be reported tomorrow, attributing them at small student gatherings. He identified a cluster of cases in the Greek living community at the school, but did not specify a number of positive tests the group produced.

Small gatherings were a major source of infections during the recent peak, and were specifically mentioned by Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently banned all private gatherings of more than 10 people in New York state, part of a larger list of reforms in response to rising infection rates in the state that has also closed bars and gyms after 10 p.m. and prohibited restaurants from serving diners. after this hour.

“This is a worrying increase, and as the holiday season approaches, we need people to pay close attention to advice and refrain from congregating or traveling, which could create more groups like the ones we share today, ”Kruppa said. once we saw a peak our community was able to act with caution and slow the spread, I ask everyone to act with a renewed sense of caution and vigilance, I know this is difficult and COVID fatigue sets in for some people, but it’s too important that we do the right thing and protect each other: wear a mask, stay six feet apart, plan and act with caution whenever you go out and interact with others.

To address questions and concerns about the rise, the Tompkins County Emergency Operations Center and county health department officials will hold a live COVID-19 update on Monday, November 16 at 5 p.m. Youtube. This can be seen on this link. The Cayuga Health sample site is also holding extended hours this weekend, Saturday, November 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.