Third Positive Case of COVID-19 in Tompkins County

**This is an official update from the Tompkins County Health Department. Tompkins Weekly did not write this article.

(Ithaca, NY – March 17, 2020) – The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) was notified of a third positive case of COVID-19. The individual has been in isolation since the samples were collected for testing. TCHD public health nurses have begun a contact investigation to determine if there were any additional exposures.

Testing for COVID-19 in Tompkins County has rapidly evolved over the last few days. On Monday, March 16, Cayuga Health System, in partnership with Tompkins County, has opened a drive-through screening facility to help divert patients from the emergency department, primary care offices, and urgent care facilities.

With the increase in screening, the number of pending test results for COVID-19 has significantly increased from yesterday. These numbers are reflected in the table below. TCHD will continue to update these numbers daily on the Health Department’s website.

 

Tompkins County

As of 03/17/20 at 5:00 pm by TCHD            

Pending Test Results for COVID-19		Positive Test Results		Negative Test Results		Total Tested		In Quarantine, Monitored by TCHD		Released from Quarantine
69		3		35		107		82		35

 

The health and well-being of our community is our top priority. TCHD is working closely with community partners to prevent and respond to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak. 

 

The best ways to protect yourself and slow the spread of illness are to take everyday actions – stay home if you are sick, cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or elbow, and wash your hands well and often.

As always, if you develop symptoms of illness including fever, cough, or trouble breathing, contact your healthcare provider. Call ahead to explain your symptoms.

As this situation evolves, TCHD will continue to send out updates and update the website.

Stay informed. Get updated information on COVID-19 at:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

NYS DOH: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Visit the CDC’s Traveler’s Health webpage for the latest travel health notices at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

For more information call the Health Department at 607-274-6604 or go to http://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/factsheets/coronavirus.

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