Tompkins County Whole Health Department

11/06/2025

🤧'Tis the season --- for respiratory illnesses! Now that the data pages are officially up and running, we will be resuming our weekly Flu and COVID-19 "new positive cases" posts.
https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Community-Health-Services/Respiratory-Viruses

Weekly Tompkins County Flu rates: 7 new positive lab-confirmed cases as reported to NYSDOH, over past 7 days.

Weekly Tompkins County COVID-19 rates: 2 new positive lab confirmed PCR & Antigen case, as reported to NYSDOH, over past 7 days.

To anonymously self-report at home test results, visit: www.makemytestcount.org

Get Vaccinated! The data shows routine peaks of COVID and Flu December - March. Now is the time to get vaccinated. Learn more at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Community-Health-Services/Immunization-Vaccines

11/05/2025

Be a Prepared Citizen for severe weather events!

The next NYS Citizen Preparedness Corps training in Tompkins County will be offered on Thursday, November 13th at the Library Place Community Room (105 W. Court St., Ithaca), sponsored by Lifelong and Love Living at Home. Register to attend online at: www.prepare.ny.gov

Tompkins County Dept. of Emergency Response
Lifelong TCSCC Love Living at Home

The next NYS Citizen Preparedness Corps training in Tompkins County will be offered on Thursday, November 13th at the Library Place Community Room (105 W. Court St., Ithaca), sponsored by Lifelong and Love Living at Home. Register at: www.prepare.ny.gov

11/03/2025

FOOD DRIVE - Drop off items between Nov 5-Nov 8 (9am-3pm) to the Cops, Kids & Toys at the Shops at Ithaca Mall (40 Catherwood Drive), near the food court/Zocalo's restaurant.
The Tompkins County Probation Department’s Community Service Work Project is facilitating a food drive along with the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies.

The food collected at this drive and any monies donated to this cause will go to local food banks to serve the people in our community who are affected by the impact of the government shutdown on SNAP services.

🤝How you can help: The Tompkins County Probation Department’s Community Service Work Project is facilitating a food drive along with the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies. The food collected at this drive and any monies donated to this cause will go to local food banks to serve the people in our community who are affected by the impact of the government shutdown on SNAP services.

10/31/2025

🎃 Stay safe tonight! 🎃

National Weather Service Lead Meteorologist Michael Murphy said tonight is predicted to be cold and windy with periods of rain. The New York State Department of Health gave tips to help keep kids …

10/31/2025

10/31/2025

Be careful this evening!

💨🎃 A wet and windy Halloween in store for the area. Prime Trick or Treating time will see sustained winds at 15-20mph gusting to 35-40mph, which will lead to wind chills in the 30s across most of the area. Anchor down any outdoor decorations or they might fly away! 🦇☔

A wet and windy Halloween in store for the area. Prime Trick or Treating time will see sustained winds at 15-20mph gusting to 35-40mph, which will lead to wind chills in the 30s across most of the area. Anchor down any outdoor decorations or they might fly away!

10/31/2025

Remember that clocks fall back to standard time this Sunday at 2 a.m. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep! The change also means it's a great time to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working correctly and change the batteries.

10/30/2025

Health Alert: COVID-19 Updates, Precautions for Respiratory Illness Season

Respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu), COVID-19 and RSV, may cause both upper respiratory tract symptoms (the vocal cords and above) and lower respiratory tract symptoms (below the vocal cords).

TCWH’s Medical Director Dr. William Klepack stated, “Respiratory viruses affect the nose, throat and lungs, and can lead to serious lung infections such as pneumonia, or worse. In the more vulnerable members of our population, such as infants, those with pre-existing chronic health conditions, persons who are pregnant, or older adults, hospitalization and even death can occur. Last year was one of our worst seasons for children with influenza.”

Dr. Klepack adds, “If you know you have been exposed, avoid being around highly vulnerable people until you know if you are infected or not. If you know you were exposed to COVID-19, use a test kit 2 – 4 days after exposure. When it is not possible to avoid vulnerable people, use a well-fitting mask and practice good hand hygiene.”

*Get Vaccinated
*Know the Symptoms
*Get Tested
*Isolate from Others
*Wear a Mask
*Wash Your Hands

Read the full press release for additional information: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Whole-Health-Press-Room/2025-10-October/Respiratory-Illness-Guidance

10/29/2025

🩷🩷TODAY!!!! 🩷🩷
Walk-ins Welcome! 9am-4pm

Early detection saves lives!

What: Mobile Mammography Van
When: Wednesday, October 29th 9am-4pm
Where: TCWH, 55 Brown Rd (by the airport) - plenty of on-site parking!
How: Walk-ins Welcome!

Who: You are eligible to use the Mobile Mammography Van for a screening if:
• You are age 40 or older.
• You have no history of breast surgery, or you had a biopsy more than 1 year ago.
• You have no current breast problems or symptoms with benign results and no further problems.

You do not have to be a Guthrie or Lourdes patient. Your results can be sent to the provider of your choice.

We welcome insured and uninsured. No referral needed.

10/27/2025

❄️Code Blue Alert❄️
Tonight, temperatures are expected to fall below 32 degrees F with wind chill for 2 or more consecutive hours. Code Blue sheltering will be provided and can be accessed:

🏫 during business hours (M-F 8 am-4:30 pm):
• visit the Department of Social Services (DSS) at 320 W MLK/State Street, or
• call DSS Emergency Housing Services at (607) 274-5030

📱after hours and on weekends:
• call non-emergency dispatch at (607) 272-2444 to be connected to DSS on-call

❄️Code Blue Alert❄️
Tonight, temperatures are expected to fall below 32 degrees F with wind chill for 2 or more consecutive hours. Code Blue sheltering will be provided and can be accessed:

🏫 during business hours (M-F 8 am-4:30 pm):
• visit the Department of Social Services (DSS) at 320 W MLK/State Street, or
• call DSS Emergency Housing Services at (607) 274-5030

📱after hours and on weekends:
• call non-emergency dispatch at (607) 272-2444 to be connected to DSS on-call

Sign up to receive email notifications about Code Blue activations:
📲https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYTOMPKINS/subscriber/new?qsp=CODE_RED
Scroll down to ‘Health and Human Services’ and click ‘Addressing Homelessness’