Coronavirus Update, January 27, 2021

On Friday, Governor Cuomo announced he would allow higher risk sports to resume on February 1st, subject to local health department approval. Tompkins Public Health Director, Frank Kruppa, DID approve sports locally with additional requirements and precautions. Approved high risk sports for Tompkins County include; football, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby, and basketball. 

In addition to NY State’s Department of Health’s guidelines, the Tompkins County Health Department has issued additional requirements including:

• An approved COVID safety plan posted online and shared with the Health Department;
• Maintaining practice pods in small sizes;
• And health screenings for all employees. The plan also strongly encourages screenings for players, patrons and spectators.

Approval for higher risk sports may be withdrawn if risks increase. Read the complete guidelines at the County Health Department Website.

Tompkins County received an additional 600 doses of COVID vaccine this week. The doses were not immediately being made available to everyone in the current eligibility groups. Instead the Health Department prioritized first responders, primary school staff, and correctional workers. UPDATE: All 600 doses have been scheduled to be given to the prioritized groups. 

As of this morning, Tompkins County is reporting  31 new positive cases of COVID-19, and a total number of active cases has continued to fall and stands at 235.