The Tompkins County Health Department is reporting ten new positive COVID-19 cases along with information on the nature of their exposure. As the number of positive COVID-19 cases increases locally, the Tompkins County Health Department is reminding residents of mask requirements, quarantine guidance, and other critical information to stop the spread of the disease.
Of the ten new positive cases, five are related to out-of-state travel, four are related to a known case at a local Fourth of July gathering where social distancing and mask wearing were not observed, and one case is connected to an active positive case with all close contacts identified.
Health Department nurses completed the contact tracing for all ten new cases and all close contacts have been identified. None of the newly reported positive cases presented public exposures, and the Health Department is not recommending testing for the public in response to these new cases. The individuals who tested positive are in isolation and all close contacts are in quarantine.
“The recent increase in positive cases in our community is concerning, we have to continue taking this virus seriously and doing what we can to stop it from continuing to spread in Tompkins County. We’ve all worked hard to keep our numbers low and to help protect our friends and families, we can’t let that hard work go to waste by not following the guidance,” stated Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa.
Kruppa continued, “We have not previously released this level of information on positive cases to protect people’s privacy. However, it is important to share the nature of how these individuals were exposed to illustrate the potential impact of not taking this seriously. COVID-19 is still a disease that can spread rapidly. I am hopeful that everyone will continue evaluating their own risk and the risk they are putting on others each time they go out.”
Individuals required to quarantine must do so for the full 14-day period. Quarantine must be completed by anyone who:
- Is identified as a close contact of a known positive case and told to get tested by the Health Department.
- Chooses to get tested even if they do not have symptoms.
- Has traveled to New York from a designated state with significant community spread. For more information about the Travel Advisory and the NYS website, where the list of affected states is updated at least weekly.
For more information about how to quarantine, refer here: tompkinscountyny.gov/health/factsheets/coronavirusfaq#quarantine
Individuals presenting symptoms or with concerns about being exposed should seek testing.
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Everyone can continue to take these steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community:
- Refrain from traveling to states listed in the New York Travel Advisory.
- Keep 6 feet distance between yourself and others when in public.
- Wear a mask at all times in public spaces, especially when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Masks and face coverings must be worn by everyone over age two at all times in public places when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Fines are enforceable for individuals who are in violation of these regulations. Businesses must deny entry to anyone who is not wearing a face covering.
- Non-essential gatherings are limited to 50 people for our region, but must comply with distancing and face covering guidance.
- Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid close and continued contact with other people not in your household.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
To file a complaint about a business or social gathering click here.
For local updates and information, check the TCHD website.
The Tompkins County Health Department is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth and on Twitter at @TompkinsHealth.
