Warren Schor ’11, of Clinton Corners, N.Y., died on Friday at Cayuga Medical Center from complications relating to H1N1 influenza, according to the University.

Schor, 20, was the first H1N1 influenza-related fatality in Tompkins County, Public Health Director Alice Cole said in a statement.

The total number of students diagnosed by Gannett Health Services with probable cases of H1N1 flu had risen to approximately 556, as of noon yesterday, according to Sharon Dittman, Gannett’s associate director for community relations.

Although Gannett’s caseload had slowed considerably over the weekend, Dittman cautioned that the numbers do not neccessarily reflect the entire extent of the H1N1 threat on campus and recommended students continue to take steps to protect themselves.

In a message to members of the Cornell community on Friday, President David Skorton wrote: “We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to [Schor’s family] and to his many friends. Please keep them in your thoughts in the following days.”

Skorton also urged all members of the community to be on alert about the risks related to underlying health conditions and severe flu symptoms.

Both University and public health officials, citing confidentiality reasons, declined to comment on whether Schor had an underlying health condition.

New York City-based WCBS-TV news reported on Friday that a Cayuga Medical Center source confirmed that Schor had an underlying health condition but would not reveal the nature of that condition at the request of Schor’s family. Cayuga Medical Center did not return calls for comment over the weekend.

About 70 percent of people nationwide who have been hospitalized with the 2009 H1N1 virus have had an underlying medical condition that placed them at a higher risk of serious complications, according to the CDC.

At least two other college students in the United States have died from complications relating to the flu, Inside Higher Ed reported last Tuesday.

Schor, who was an Applied Economics and Management major and studying to become a C.P.A., was fondly remembered by friends over the weekend.

“Warren was a jolly, fun-loving, people-person,” Bob Blanco ’11 stated in an email, “Some of the best memories I have of Cornell, he was there for, and I’m sure a lot of other people would say the same thing.”

“[Warren] was probably the most fun- loving person I’ve ever known,” said Chris Vandivort ’11, one of Schor’s closest friends at Cornell. “I’d never had a friend who I’ve had so many ridiculous, fun times with. … I think everyone has nothing but the best to say about him.”

Schor enjoyed riding horses, as well as ATV’s, according to friends. Both Schor and Vandivort attended The Hackley School, a private college preparatory school located in Tarrytown, N.Y., where students had the option to board or commute. Schor was a boarder, while Vandivort commuted.

“We became friends sophomore year,” Vandivort explained. “We applied early decision to Cornell together. We checked the online notification [of acceptance] together. We screamed so loudly we got kicked out of the library together.”

Schor joined Zeta Beta Tau fraternity in the fall semester of his sophomore year, but members of ZBT declined to comment, deferring to their national director of chapter affairs, Matthew Tobe.

“The guys are doing a really good job of rallying around each other for support,” Tobe said. “They’re really using a fraternity for what it’s meant for. They put on a nice brunch [on Sunday] for the community. [On Monday] the entire fraternity is going to bus down to White Plains for the funeral. They’re just asking for a little bit of privacy so that they can mourn on their own.”

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. today at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, N.Y.

Schor’s friend and acquaintances said that his untimely death was a huge loss to the Cornell community.

“I don’t hesitate to say that calling Warren a great guy is a huge understatement,” Patrick Valente ’11 stated in an e-mail.

Valente, who had been friends with Schor since freshman year, added: “Warren was one of the most genuinely kind, good-hearted people I have ever had the privilege of meeting … the kind of truly good person you might only meet a few times in your life. I can tell you he will be missed dearly.”

“I really love that kid, I really miss him,” Vandivort said­­.

Schor is survived by his parents, a brother named Sam and his golden retriever, Buddy.