TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y.—The Health Department dropped its mask advisory Friday as Tompkins County continues to remain within the “medium community level” of spread according to the CDC’s criteria.
The advisory originally came into place in April, when the seven-day average for new cases peaked above 80 per day. Currently, the seven-day average is bobbing below 20 a day, according data collected and presented by the Tompkins County Health Department.
“The mask advisory is being lifted for Tompkins County because we have had several weeks of improving case numbers along with low hospitalization rates, ” said Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa in a written statement. “This is encouraging news as we navigate the ebbs and flows of the pandemic.”
Masks are still required on TCAT busses, and other forms of public transportation, as well as in healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes and hospitals. Free KN95 masks and self-test kits are widely available in Tompkins County. Masks are provided at the Tompkins County Public Library among other locations.
The Health Department has continued to make free COVID-19 testing available for county residents, as well as scheduling for vaccination against COVID.