Sunday, April 26
If you have an immediate need, call (607) 288-3252
As always, community members looking for more information on local health resources and resources related to COVID-19 can contact 2-1-1 by calling 1-877-211-8667 or visiting 211tompkins.orgMutual Aid Tompkins Facebook PageMutual Aid Tompkins Facebook GroupMutual Aid Tompkins Immediate Needs Facebook GroupMutual Aid Tompkins Food Systems Facebook GroupMutual Aid Tompkins: Parent Support GroupMutual Aid Tompkins Community FormMutual Aid Tompkins Community Resource FolderDonate
We are neighbors concerned about our communities and helping to make sure those most vulnerable and affected by COVID-19 get the support they need. We are volunteer run, with no paid staff, and our aid comes directly from the community. We have created a PayPal & Venmo account and the money donated is going directly to people who have made requests through our immediate needs page. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fundraiser that is in partnership with Tompkins County Worker's Center, You can also make donations through PayPal here and our Venmo here. Thank you!
Need Help Finding Help? Contact 2-1-1 Tompkins Cortland. I just want to remind people of this help desk and referral service. Callers are referred to service providers according to their needs. 2-1-1 may follow up with callers, when appropriate, to ensure that contact was made and to offer further assistance if needed. Some common questions include locations to find food, legal issues with housing, how to access healthcare, and finding employment. 2-1-1 is active 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. To access 2-1-1 by text, message your zip code to TXT211 or 898211. Texting service is available Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm). You can also access 2-1-1 services by email (iandr@hsctc.org) or by visiting their website.
Local
Tracking
The latest data from the Tompkins County Health Department shows no new cases on Sunday April 26
Total Tested: 3,104
Pending Results: 64
Positive Test Results: 130
Recovered: 95
Currently Hospitalized: 6
Total Deaths: 2 (both non-county residents, not new deaths of today)
Visit the Tompkins County Health Department website for more
Visit this helpful resource built by local resident Marty Hiller to see charts of the Health Department data for Tompkins County and Cortland.
Testing
COVID-19 TESTING CRITERIA EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ESSENTIAL WORKERS
(Ithaca, NY – April 26, 2020) - This weekend, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that testing for COVID-19 will be made available for essential workers. This is in addition to individuals who should seek testing because they are symptomatic or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Public Health Director Frank Kruppa said, “As many essential workers are still interacting directly with the public, increased testing is vital to stopping the spread of COVID-19. This increased testing will allow us to identify positive cases, and reduce potential exposures.” Kruppa continued, “Essential workers have been on the front line responding to this crisis, I want to thank all of the essential workers in Tompkins County who are continuing to serve our community during this difficult time.”
Who should get tested?
A list of essential workers is defined and frequently updated by New York State and can be found here(https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026).
Anyone who is symptomatic or came in close contact with a positive case (regardless of essential worker status) is still encouraged to seek testing.
Where and when to get tested?
Testing for COVID-19 is available at the Cayuga Health Sampling Site located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall parking lot, 40 Catherwood Rd., between the hours of 10am-3pm Monday through Friday.
Pre-register online at cayugahealth.org/ or through the Call Center, 607-319-5708, between the hours of 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.
Sampling is to determine if you currently have COVID-19; this is not the antibody test.
What should you do after testing?
If you do not have symptoms, continue to work and follow social distancing guidance, wear a face covering, and wash your hands well and often.
You will be contacted with results as soon as they are available.
What does your test result mean?
If your test result is positive, you will be contacted by a Community Health Nurse who will conduct a contact investigation and provide instructions about self-isolation. See full guidance here.
How do essential businesses, nonprofits, or government operations obtain masks?
Businesses and organizations deemed essential can make requests through this form for cloth masks and hand sanitizer for their employees.
Guidance on the use of masks can be found here.
The Cayuga Health Sampling Site is open Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. To pre-register, call Cayuga Health Registration Line at 607-319-5708, or go online to cayugahealthsystem.org.
Need a ride to the Sampling Site? After you have registered, call 2-1-1 to schedule a safe and free ride with ASAP Cab Company. 2-1-1 is available 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. to schedule rides to the Sampling Site.
Mutual Aid Tompkins
Mutual Aid Tompkins have created a Community Check In Survey and are hoping that you can share it out with your networks. We will share the data collected once we get some responses. The survey will only take 2-5 minutes to complete, and your response is anonymous and all questions are optional.
Unemployment Insurance & Stimulus Payments
Civiclinks is a new tool to to help individuals access economic impact payments, or other financial resources.
From Cornell’s ILR School, a new report filled with useful information and links to help access unemployment insurance
Events
WRFI Radio’s Coronavirus Virtual Town Hall will take place Monday 27 April at 6pm-7pm.
Panelists in the first half-hour will be Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature and Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director at the Tompkins County Health Department. In the second half-hour we'll be joined by Matt Stupak and Juliana Garcia of Mutual Aid Tompkins.
Don’t forget to submit your questions, comments, and concerns here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScA7mgPIs17bezpU5T0Xr67sD4aFFic_8v85eWJGF-2GlSfjw/viewform?usp=sf_link or call in LIVE during the broadcast at 607-441-WRFI (9734). You can also leave voice message with your question anytime on our comment line at 607-319-5445 extension 6.
Tune in at 88.1fm in Ithaca, 91.9 in Watkins Glen, at www.wrfi.org or RSVP to this event to listen on FaceBook Live.
