Coronavirus Update, December 17, 2020
The Tompkins County Health Department is alerting the public of potential COVID-19 exposures at the Ithaca Applebee’s, Tops Markets Bakery in Lansing, and on TCAT Bus Routes 14 and 30. The individuals who tested positive and close contacts identified are in quarantine.
It was announced this afternoon by the Tompkins County Health Department that a public exposure to COVID-19 happened at Applebee’s Grill and Bar at 2300 N Triphammer Rd., in Ithaca.
The dates and times of the exposures were on Monday, December 7, 10:45am – 4:00pm, Tuesday, December 8, 10:45am – 4:00pm.
An employee at Tops Markets Bakery in Lansing worked at a time when they were contagious. The dates and times of the exposure to COVID-19 were Friday, December 11, 8:00am-4:30pm, and Saturday, December 12, 8:30am-5:00pm.
In addition, the public may have been exposed to the virus by a rider on TCAT Routes 14 and 30 on Monday, December 14. The dates and times of the exposure include: Route 14 Inbound, 11:43am at Elm at West Village, arriving at Green St. Station, then disembarking at 11:57am. The second exposure was on Route 30 Outbound: Same rider boarded at noon at Green St. Station, disembarking at Highland at Wyckoff at 12:13pm.
The health department recommends anyone who was possibly exposed to the virus at any of these periods to monitor their health for any COVID symptoms. Information on how to get tested is on the Tompkins County Health Department website.
--
Looking at the local COVID-19 caseload, the latest numbers at the time of this broadcast were released today from the Tompkins County health department. There are 37 additional positives, 38 new recoveries, and 11 hospitalizations. According to the County Health Department, that leaves 259 active cases of COVID-19 in Tompkins.
In Schuyler County, there are 9 new cases of COVID-19 reported as of today, leaving 34 active cases, according to their Health Department. 4 people remain hospitalized due to the virus.
--
Despite the rise of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, snow days live on! The Ithaca City School District granted students and faculty a true day off after a projected foot of snow was set to dump on parts of Tompkins County.
The ICSD had previously announced that their snow day policy would be retaining its previous snow day policy, the Ithaca Voice reports. If a snow day is called, both in-school and virtual classes will be dismissed. Additionally, school meals were not available for pickup.
--
Governor Andrew Cuomo updated New Yorkers on the state's Vaccination Administration Plan on Wednesday.
The state plans on delivering the vaccine to New Yorkers at no cost. Cuomo said his ultimate goal is to become the first COVID-free state. He said the state needs to have, “75 to 85 percent of the population vaccinated to actually win this war.”
Phase 2 of the state’s plan begins in early 2021. This would include the establishment of Regional Vaccination Hubs to help facilitate vaccinations, according to a press release by Governor Cuomo.
Every hub will work directly with local stakeholders and other community leaders to ensure that the plan is tailored to meet each region's unique needs. Plans must be submitted to the state by the first week of January in order to have them ready to be activated once enough doses of the vaccine are in hand to begin Phase 2 in late January.
Contributing writing by WRFI News Volunteers Esther Racoosin and Intern Antonio Ferme