COVID19 2021-08-05 Update: Data Published on Positive Cases by Vaccination Status

The Tompkins County Health Department is publishing a breakdown of recent positive COVID-19 cases by vaccination status. This information is being published following the recent Health Advisory issued by TCHD asking residents to wear a mask while indoors and around others regardless of vaccination status to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Since January 2021, the total number of positive cases in the vaccinated population represents 0.2% of the total vaccinated population in Tompkins County. Over 67,000 Tompkins County residents have been fully vaccinated to-date, and vaccination efforts continue throughout the community. Vaccinated individuals, both locally and nationally, continue to have very high levels of protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from the virus. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine and where to get vaccinated locally, see the Health Department website.

The newly published data show a recent increase in the number of fully vaccinated individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and mirrors national and statewide trends. Local positive cases continue to be attributed to indoor gatherings and domestic travel.

The positive vaccinated cases since May 2021 represent 0.1% of the fully vaccinated population in Tompkins County. Of the 315 new positive cases between May 1 - July 30, 2021, 84 reported being fully vaccinated, representing 27% of the total new positive cases.

A chart including data by week from May – July 2021 is posted on the TCHD website and will be updated periodically on the TCHD website as more data becomes available. This data is self-reported to TCHD during case investigations with ongoing verification through the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). Positive cases reflected in this chart are listed by date of COVID-19 test collection. Vaccination status is identified as “unknown” when information cannot be confirmed. Ineligible status is based on age, only individuals age 12 and over are eligible for vaccination.

Dr. William Klepack, Tompkins County Health Department Medical Director stated, “The best thing we can do to stop this pandemic and keep one another healthy and safe is to get vaccinated. The data we’ve shared, paired with our hospitalization data show that if you are fully vaccinated, you continue to have a very high degree of protection against severe disease and hospitalization. Positive cases in fully vaccinated individuals continue to be extremely uncommon; out of our entire vaccinated population, far less than one percent of individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.” Dr. Klepack continued, “We are advising all residents to get vaccinated and wear a mask because we know those are best tools to stop the disease from spreading. By doing what we know works, we can stop this pandemic and look forward to a return to normalcy.”