Coronavirus Update, September 18, 2020

Looking at the local COVID-19 caseload, the latest numbers, released Friday from the Tompkins County health department, indicate that there are 4 additional positives, 5 new recoveries. According to the County Health Department, that leaves 33 active cases of COVID-19 in Tompkins. One person has been hospitalized from symptoms of the virus.

In Schuyler County, there are no new cases of COVID-19 reported as of Friday, according to their Health Department. 7 active cases remain in Schuyler.

--

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the state will be paying out September school aid payments to localities and school districts. The announcement was made following a lawsuit filed by the New York State United Teachers regarding reductions in aid.

The Times Union reports that Cuomo’s decision is a retraction from the previous policy, which would have withheld 20 percent of payments to localities and school districts.

The lawsuit is also seeking the release of money withheld from school districts in July and August. Some school districts had already cut programs because they did not expect to receive funds.

State budget officials say that they are waiting to see what a potential federal stimulus package might look like before deciding on further state aid this year.

Contributing writing by WRFI News Volunteer Jon Donville