(Ithaca, N.Y.) – The Tompkins County Health Department is reminding the community of precautions that can help protect yourself and others from COVID-19 leading into the holiday weekend. COVID-19 continues to spread in Tompkins County and although TCHD currently reports a low incidence of severe disease and hospitalizations, precautions may help to stop the spread and reduce the risk of an increase in cases and severe disease and hospitalizations.
Wearing a High-Quality Mask Can Protect You and Others
- High-quality masks (KN95 or N95) continue to be one of the best ways to protect yourself and others.
- High-quality KN95 masks are freely available to the community. Please refer to the TCHD website or call 2-1-1 for information on where these masks are available.
- For more information on how to most effectively wear a KN95 mask, TCHD has published a video with instructions.
- Any individual may choose to wear a mask in any situation based on personal preference.
- You should wear a mask when you are around others:
- Who are ill
- Who may not be vaccinated against COVID-19
- Who are at high risk of severe illness
- If you are immunocompromised or at high risk of severe illness from the virus
- On public transit or in a healthcare or congregate setting as defined by New York State
Get Tested if You Experience Symptoms, Self-Test Before Gathering with Others
- If you are feeling ill or symptomatic for COVID-19, seek a test through Cayuga Health System or your healthcare provider. Tests are free and available for Tompkins County residents at the Cayuga Health System testing site at the Shops at Ithaca Mall (40 Catherwood Rd.). Appointments are required. Go online or call: 607-319-5708.
- Self-tests are recommended for individuals who do not have symptoms and are seeking quick results to identify infection or increase confidence that you are not positive for COVID-19.
- A self-test can be used as a prevention measure before gathering indoors with others who are not in your household. This is especially important before gathering with individuals who are unvaccinated, older individuals, those who are immunocompromised, or individuals at greater risk of severe disease.
- Free self-test kits can be ordered for delivery to your home via USPS or can be found locally in various locations.
- If your self-test result is positive, Complete the Self-Test Reporting Form for Tompkins County residents. The online form will ask for basic contact information and to upload a photo of your test kit result.
Stay Up To Date on Vaccinations to Prevent Severe Disease
- TCHD is encouraging eligible residents to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination.
- Vaccines are safe, effective, and continue to show increased protection from severe illness from COVID-19.
- Vaccine doses are currently available at local pharmacies and primary care offices. Please contact your pharmacy or doctor to discuss availability or visit the TCHD website for more information.
Although TCHD is sharing these precautions with the community, there is no shift in official guidance at this time.
Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa stated, “For many, the rise in recent cases, coupled with the challenge of no longer having a true “total active cases” number due to the increased usage of self-tests, has renewed COVID-19 concerns. We are reminding the community that they have the tools to reduce risk: stay up to date on vaccination, wear a high-quality mask, stay home if sick and get tested. Our local hospitalization rates remain low. When hospitalizations are low there is more access to care and services at the hospital, and the risk of having to limit other types of services is reduced. While disease prevalence ebbs and flows, we must remain cautious but optimistic, follow the measures that keep us safe, and continue to take care of ourselves and each other.”
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. Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates or other county announcements via email or text.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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