Coronavirus Update, October 12, 2020

The first death of a Tompkins County resident due to complications from COVID-19 occurred on Monday, according to the County Health Department. 

A press release from the county notes that the individual was an elderly hospitalized patient, who was admitted to Cayuga Medical Center on Monday October 6th. Prior to this patient, two other individuals transferred in from another part of the state passed away in the spring due to complications from the disease.

Health Director Frank Kruppa is reminding local residents to do their part to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, adding, “we’re tragically reminded that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts older adults, those who are immune-compromised and those with underlying health conditions.”

 At this time no more information about the patients’ death will be released, to respect their medical privacy.

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Looking at the local COVID-19 caseload, the latest numbers, released Monday from the Tompkins County health department, indicate that there are 11 additional positives, and 5 new recoveries. According to the County Health Department, that leaves 42 active cases of COVID-19 in Tompkins. 3 patients are hospitalized for complications from the virus.

In Schuyler County, two people with COVID-19 are hospitalized at an out-of-county hospital. There are 2 new cases of COVID-19 reported as of Friday, and are reported members of the same household, according to the Schuyler Health Department. 12 active cases remain.

In addition, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in New York state have reportedly increased by more than 70 percent in the last month.  The Albany times union reports there were 820 patients in hospitals statewide compared to 474 a month ago. 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says that the increase in hospitalizations are occurring in red zones, including Orange and Rockland Counties, and Brooklyn and Queens. 

Patients that are in the Intensive Care Units due to complications from COVID-19 have also increased in New York. 186 people are now in the ICU compared to 120 a month ago. This reflects an increase of  55 percent.

Contributing writing by WRFI News Volunteer Mark Klohmann