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Since I'm also covering the COVID-19 pandemic, here are some details for local readers about the uptick in cases in Cayuga County.
Let's start with the number of active cases. These are the people who recently tested positive and are still in mandatory isolation. As of Monday, that number is 46 — Cayuga County's highest yet. And it will likely continue to grow.
This is the total number of COVID-19 cases by month. Nineteen days into October and we already have our most cases in one month. We've had about 40% of our confirmed cases in the past two months (115 in September and October).
The number of residents in mandatory quarantine is significant because, as the health department stated, some of these people who had contact with a positive case end up testing positive themselves. As of Monday, there are 248 people in mandatory quarantine — a new high.
I don't have a fancy chart for this, but there are also seven hospitalizations. It may not seem like a lot, but when you consider Cayuga County has one hospital and it has under 100 beds, then you realize we're playing with fire here if we start to see that number grow.
All of these numbers are important and show how COVID-19 can affect a rural county. Some cases are in the city, but most of our cases so far have been outside of the city. The health department said there is community spread, especially among people who attend gatherings.
It's also important to consider the undertaking this is for a small health department. Cayuga County's has less than 40 employees. They are not only monitoring the 200-plus in quarantine, but the 40-plus active cases in isolation while doing contact tracing investigations.
Oh, and the health department has other things to do too. There's flu season, restaurant inspections, the list goes on. They are really stretched thin at the moment.
