COVID-19 2021-10-21 Update: Hospitalization Demographic Data Released

The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) presented COVID-19 hospitalization demographic data at the October 19, 2021 County Legislature meeting. This information was included in a regular COVID-19 update that is archived in the COVID-19 Tompkins County Response timeline presentation available on the TCHD website.

Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director stated, “The purpose of sharing this information is to illustrate the importance of getting vaccinated to protect you from unnecessary hospitalization. It is also of critical to protect those near you who might be more vulnerable to the virus due to age or underlying health conditions.”

The hospitalization data reflects 65 hospital admissions of Tompkins County residents during the period of August 1, 2021 – October 18, 2021. Of the 65 admissions, two-thirds (44) were unvaccinated, while 21 were fully vaccinated. The average age of those hospitalized who were unvaccinated is 55.7 years, while the average age of vaccinated individuals is 77.1 years.

Kruppa continued, “The average age of the hospitalized individuals clearly shows that being younger and unvaccinated does not shield someone from needing hospitalization due to COVID. The data by age range demonstrates that those hospitalized in the younger age brackets have been overwhelmingly unvaccinated. We have seen this trend in State and National data, but now with enough data locally we see the same situation here. I encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to greatly reduce their risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.”

This data is now available on the Tompkins County Health Department website’s data page

TCHD is reminding the Tompkins County community of the precautions that can be taken to stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Tompkins County continues to be under a mask advisory. Wear a mask while indoors and around others.
• Vaccines are readily available. Get vaccinated when you are able and share accurate information with others who are not yet vaccinated. For information on vaccines and local availability, visit the clinics page on the website
  • Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and are fully vaccinated with one of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) are advised to get a third dose of vaccine. Immunocompromised individuals should talk to their provider about a third dose, for more information visit the 3rd dose section of the website
• Get tested if you are symptomatic or a close contact of a positive case. For more information on testing, visit: When to get tested on the TCHD website
  • If you are a fully vaccinated close contact of a positive case, TCHD guidance states that you should avoid contact with unvaccinated or immunocompromised individuals for the full 14-day period, even if you test negative.