Coronavirus Update, July 16, 2020
Looking at the local COVID-19 caseload, In Tompkins County 170 of the 193 people infected with the virus have recovered as of Thursday, according to the County Health Department. Over in Schuyler County, there are no new positive cases reported as of Thursday. 16 out of 17 people infected with COVID-19 have recovered, according to their Health Department.
Cornell University is beginning its novel coronavirus testing program for the campus community today in collaboration with Cayuga Health System.
The program will administer tests to Cornell community members every Tuesday and Thursday until the school year begins, according to the Ithaca Times. The testing facility will be at the Fischell Band Center in the parking lot of Schoellkopf Field and will be held on multiple dates from 8 am to 4 pm from July through September.
Any Cornell student who is currently in Ithaca or traveling to the city is encouraged to get tested. Although testing is currently functioning, students traveling from out of state are encouraged to seek testing in their home states prior to coming to Ithaca.
Tompkins County notified local businesses yesterday that they must deny entry to people not wearing face masks, or be subject to paying a large fine.
According to The Ithaca Voice, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced an emergency order mandating that "business operators and building owners must deny entry and require or compel removal of any person who fails to comply with face-covering requirements."
The requirement says anyone over the age of two and able to medically tolerate face-coverings must wear a mask or face-covering when entering a store or organization. Businesses that violate the new regulation may face a fine of $1,000 per violation, while willful violations could result in a $10,000 fine.
Governor Cuomo also announced that state-licensed businesses could have their licenses suspended or revoked if they do not comply with the new mask-wearing requirement.
Contributing writing by WRFI News Intern Jon Donville, Phoebe Harms, and News Volunteer JT Stone