The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) is announcing changes to our daily COVID-19 data update. TCHD is committed to being transparent with the COVID-19 data and understands the importance of communicating this information to the public as clearly and accurately as possible.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have emphasized that this continues to be an evolving situation, and we greatly appreciate the public’s patience and ability to adapt. The data we collect is a real-time process that is constantly changing. We are making these changes to have a more streamlined process and make sure that we are reporting testing from all labs,” stated Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director.
Since March, TCHD has reported cumulative testing data through the previous day from Cayuga Health System. As testing has become more available in our County, there is need to shift to a different reporting mechanism. Going forward, TCHD will utilize the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Report System (ECLRS), which is a New York State system that collects test results from all labs. The ECLRS data provides testing results (“resulted tests”) as “virus detected” or “virus undetected.” Therefore, the pending results category is removed.
Positive cases have always been reported by the Health Department nurses and will continue to be reported in the same way going forward. The main change in the daily table can be seen in the testing data.
Today’s report will include 495 test results. A column will be added for new daily cases and the cumulative positive cases will remain.
Please refer to the Health Department’s data page for additional information.
For local updates and information, check the TCHD website.
Individuals who traveled to or from a non-contiguous state must quarantine for a period of 14 days when entering New York or follow the travel-related testing guidelines. More information about the travel-related testing guidelines can be found on the NYS Travel Advisory webpage. For more information about how to quarantine, refer to the TCHD website.
Everyone can continue to take these steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community:
- Refrain from non-essential travel.
- 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. Non-essential gatherings in private residences, indoor or outdoor, are limited to 10 people or less.
- 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 go to 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.
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