Pencil Sketch of Town Hall by Mary Ann Barr 2021

Pencil sketch by Mary Ann Barr 2021

The Town of Danby in New York

Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850

Town Clerk Appointments 11am–6pm Mon–Fri
Town Clerk 607-277-4788
Town Court 607-277-0095
Town Court Hours Mon-Wed 8am-11am

TCHD Reporting Variants of Concern in TC; Increase in Covid-19 Cases

For media inquiries: Samantha Hillson, 607-274-6714, shillson@tompkins-co.org; Dominick Recckio, drecckio@tompkins-co.org

March 22, 2021 

HEALTH ALERT Recent Increase in COVID-19 Cases, Reporting Variants of Concern in Tompkins County 

(Ithaca, NY – March 22, 2021) – The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) is alerting residents to an increased number of positive COVID-19 cases in the County. As of March 22, TCHD is reporting 150 active COVID-19 cases in Tompkins County, up from a low of 76 active cases on March 2. TCHD is reporting that a majority of the increase in cases result from social gatherings and travel. TCHD is also reporting a number of COVID-19 variants that have been sequenced and are included in the total active case numbers.  

Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa stated, “We’re concerned with this recent rise in cases. While we’ve vaccinated nearly one third of our residents, the disease is still present. We have to do what we know works to stop the spread.” Kruppa continued, “while more people are allowed to gather under new guidance, it doesn’t mean that you can stop wearing masks and keeping distance. We’re seeing COVID-19 spread at private gatherings.” 

New York State recently amended guidance regarding gatherings, TCHD has published that information on the website 

TCHD is reporting the following COVID-19 variants of concern that have been sequenced in positive cases of Tompkins County residents: 

·         UK B.1.1.7 (Commonly referred to as the U.K. variant) 

·         NYC B.1.526 (Commonly referred to as the New York City variant) 

·         CAL.20C (Commonly referred to as the Southern California variant) 

Public Health Director Frank Kruppa stated, “These variants are concerning because they may spread faster or could result in more severe disease. At this time, we are not asking the community to do anything beyond the current guidance to respond to the presence of these variants. Vaccination, mask wearing, hand washing, and distancing are still our most important tools to ensure less opportunity for variants and mutations to occur and spread.” 

TCHD is reminding Tompkins County residents that COVID-19 testing continues to be a critical component to stop the spread of the disease. Individuals who are symptomatic or have a concern about a potential exposure should seek a test. Testing is free for Tompkins County residents, for more information on COVID-19 testing, visit the TCHD website 

TCHD continues to urge everyone who is eligible to sign up for the Tompkins County COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. 

The Tompkins County Health Department is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth and on Twitter at @TompkinsHealth. 

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The Town of Danby sits on the traditional & ancestral land of the Gayogoho:no’ (Cayuga Nation), one of the five nations to first form the Haudenosaunee. Indigenous peoples were largely forced out of Upstate New York by the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition in 1779. The land that would become the Town of Danby was a part of the Watkins and Flint Purchase, a 336,380 acre patent granted by New York State to numerous eastern investors in 1794. 

Official Town of Danby, NY Website created by The Town of Danby
Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Ithaca NY 14850; Tel: 607 277 4788 ~~~
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