Coronavirus Update, June 9, 2020
In Tompkins County the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains at 165, with no new positives. According to the Tompkins county health department, 3 more of the positive cases have recovered. Over 11,700 people have been tested in total.
There were no new confirmed cases of the virus in Schuyler County Tuesday. According to health department officials, all people who were infected with the virus have recovered.
There are over 600 new cases of COVID-19 in New York State as of Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to over 379,000 according to the state department of health.
The Ithaca City School district says that the deadline to submit ballots for the upcoming school board elections has been extended from to June 16th. 14850 magazine reports that the deadline was previously supposed to be June 9th, today, but the deadline changed following an executive order from Governor Andrew Cuomo that extended the deadline for school districts across the state.
Ballots were previously available to be returned in person, but the extension only applies to ballots coming in the mail. Ballots must be received by 5PM on June 16th in order to be counted.
The Ithaca College Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony has been cancelled, reports The Ithacan.
Ithaca College President Shirley Collado announced the cancelation yesterday via email. The original ceremony was supposed to be held on May 17th. After the school began remote learning in March, it was rescheduled for August 2nd.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday that outdoor, socially-distant graduation ceremonies of up to 150 people will be allowed starting on June 26. The Southern Tier is currently in phase two of reopening and prohibits large gatherings.
A virtual Commencement weekend is being planned for August 1st and 2nd. Graduating students will receive a celebration box with their diploma and covers via mail as well as an electronic diploma.
Additionally, the next Alumni Weekend will take place on June 25-27 2021. The weekend will include a Senior Splash and other events for the 2020 graduating class.
A public comment period has opened up to determine local spending on COVID-19 projects using money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security, or CARES act. According to the Ithaca Voice, the CARES act has allocated more than $320,000 to the city of Ithaca. Approximately $190,000 of that will go towards the rent relief act.
The remaining money will be divided between a number of programs. The biggest allocations will include $25,600 for the DICC child care re-opening act, and $25,000 for Security Deposits for Safer Housing.
The comment period is open until this Friday, June 12th, at 5PM. Comments can be written in via email, and the Planning and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual public hearing on June 10th at 6PM.
Email written statements to Anisa Mendizabal, IURA Community Development Planner, at amendizabal@cityofithaca.org, and put “Public Comment - CDBG-CV Proposals (Round 2)” in the subject line.
Contributing writing by WRFI News Interns Jon Donville and Tessie Devlin