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Public Health Press Releases
Cortland County Health Department recommends that all Cortland County residents age 6 months and older receive the 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves against potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness, including hospitalization and death. Flu vaccines for the 2023-2024 flu season are also readily available and recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older to protect against serious outcomes from seasonal flu.
October 26, 2023-The Cortland County Health Department announces the release of the 2023 Cortland County Childhood Lead Poisoning Needs Assessment
The Cortland County Health Department announces the release of the 2023 Cortland County Childhood Lead Poisoning Needs Assessment. The Needs Assessment outlines local data on outcomes and risk factors for lead poisoning. Additionally, the report includes the results of the Photovoice project which involved community members personally impacted by lead poisoning sharing their insights through photos, captions, and a focus group.
October 10, 2023- Reminder on Secure Gun Storage, Suicide Prevention Resources Available
Cortland County’s Health Department, Mental Health Department, and the Coroner’s Office are reminding community members about secure gun storage practices and resources available if you, or someone you know, is experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Suicide death from firearms is preventable.
September 18, 2023- CCHD Recommending Updated COVID-19 Vaccine and Annual Flu Shot for all Residents 6 months and older.
Cortland County Health Department recommends that all Cortland County residents age 6 months and older receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves against potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness, including hospitalization and death. Flu vaccines for the 2023-2024 flu season are also readily available and recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older to protect against serious outcomes from seasonal flu this fall and winter.
August 21, 2023 - Health Alert: Community Members Should Take Action Immediately to Prevent Spread of Respiratory Viruses in Cortland County
Common Respiratory Viruses like COVID-19, Flu, and RSV typically spread during the fall and winter.
July 28, 2023 - Cortland County Youth Bureau announces availability of Youth Development Programs and Youth Sports and Education Opportunity Funding
The Cortland County Youth Bureau is offering funding to local organizations to enhance initiatives that benefit young people. Municipalities, Community Based Organizations, and Faith Based Organizations in Cortland County are invited to apply. All programs must take place between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.
July 5, 2023 - 2023 Cortland County Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment Released
The Cortland County Health Department, Cortland County Mental Health Department, and SPEAK UP Cortland Suicide Prevention Coalition are announcing the release of the 2023 Cortland County Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment. Suicide is a complex, multifaceted public health issue, so accurate and thorough data assessment is essential in monitoring progress and making changes to community plans on an as needed basis.
June 27, 2023 - Health Alert: Air Quality Health Advisory in Cortland County Issued for 6/28/23
An air quality health advisory has been issued by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Department of Health, effective 6/28/23 from 12 AM to 11:59 PM for Central New York, including Cortland County.
June 12, 2023-June is National Healthy Homes Month
June is National Healthy Homes Month, a campaign designed to educate families and communities about the direct link between housing quality and residents’ health. To commemorate the occasion, the Cortland County Health Department (CCHD) is taking the opportunity to boost awareness and understanding of its available resources. CCHD emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining a healthy home by addressing home-based hazards, including carbon monoxide, fire, radon, lead and tobacco smoke.
Cortland County Health Department is alerting the community that local Air Quality has now moved to a hazardous level as defined by the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale, effective 9:00 AM today, June 7, 2023. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.
June 7, 2023-Health Alert: Air Quality Health Alert Continues for Cortland and Surrounding Counties
Cortland County Health Department is alerting the community that the air quality alert that went into effect yesterday, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, is estimated to continue through Thursday, June 8, 2023, due to the wildfires occurring Quebec, Canada.
June 6, 2023-Health Alert: Air Quality Health Advisory for Cortland and Surrounding Counties
Cortland County Health Department is alerting the community to a poor air quality advisory in effect today, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, through midnight (12:00AM Wednesday, June 7, 2023), due to wildfires occurring north of our region in Quebec, Canada.
May 10, 2023 – End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration May 11th, 2023
The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration will end on May 11, 2023. Access to most of the tools we’ve been using to prevent COVID-19 in Cortland County over the past three years will not be impacted. The end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency does not mean COVID-19 is no longer a threat and community members should continue to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, get tested, and stay away from others when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. View Full Press Release
January 25, 2023 - County health agencies remind community members of suicide prevention resources available to those experiencing emotional distress, shares warning signs
The Cortland County Health Department, Cortland County Mental Health Department, and SPEAK UP Cortland Suicide Prevention Coalition would like to remind community members about the resources available if you, or someone you know, is experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Suicidal thoughts can be reduced with proper mental health support and treatment, and are not weaknesses or flaws. If you feel that someone you know is thinking about suicide, assume you are the only one who will reach out. Ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide, this will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide. Take all talk and their response seriously. A person who is thinking about suicide is experiencing a life threatening health crisis. Work with them to keep them safely away from lethal means like firearms and drugs. Stay with them and call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
January 5, 2023 – 2022-2024 Cortland County Health Department Strategic Plan Announced
From August to November 2022, the Cortland County Health Department underwent a Strategic Planning process. The Strategic Planning Committee - which included all levels of staff and a member of the Board of Health - selected the following priorities for 2023 and 2024: Public Health Workforce, Communication, and Collaboration.
December 14, 2022 - Increase in Flu Cases and Ongoing Cases of COVID-19 and RSV
The Cortland County Health Department is alerting the community of an increase in flu cases, as well as the ongoing cases of COVID-19 and RSV and providing guidance to residents to protect themselves and others within the community.
November 16, 2022 – Increase in RSV, Flu, and Ongoing Cases of COVID-19
The Cortland County Health Department is alerting the community of an increase in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), flu cases and the ongoing cases of COVID-19 and providing guidance to residents to protect themselves and others within the community. With colder temperatures here and in conjunction with the holiday season, more people will be gathering often indoors and with many people, and this can result in the spread of respiratory illnesses. View Full Press Release.
October 24, 2022 – Health Department Seeks Community Member Input on Lead Poisoning Prevention, Announces 2022 National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 23rd -29th, 2022. The goal is to raise awareness about lead poisoning prevention in an effort to reduce childhood exposure to lead. The Cortland County Health Department is recruiting a small group of community members to participate in a Photovoice project aimed at better understanding the people, places, and spaces that have been, or are at risk of, being impacted by lead poisoning in the Cortland County community. View Full Press Release.
September 29, 2022 – Cortland County Health Department Urges Residents to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19 and Flu, Updates COVID-19 Data Reporting
The Cortland County Health Department urges all Cortland County residents to get their COVID-19 and Flu vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccination is safe and is the best way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 and Flu in our community. If you have questions, or are concerned about receiving either vaccination, contact your healthcare provider so they can assist you in making the most informed decision about receiving the Flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine this year. View Full Press Release.
August 22, 2022 – 2022-2024 Community Health Improvement Goals Announced
Following careful review of community health indicator data - including surveys collected from over 2,266 community members and input from 20 partnering organizations - the following NYSDOH Prevention Agenda focus areas and goals were selected by the Cortland County Health Department and Guthrie Cortland Medical Center Steering Committee as the shared 2022-2024 Cortland County community health goals. View Full Press Release.