COVID Positivity Rate Drops, but Hospitalizations Increase

By Yehudit Garmaise

  New York Governor Andrew Cuomo just reported the good news that the statewide positivity rate for coronavirus just dropped to 1.59%, which is down from yesterday’s report that the state's positivity rate 1.81%.

  The Governor also noted that the positive testing rate in all of the focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 2.69%, and outside the focus zone areas is 1.42% Although that state’s positivity rate has come down, unfortunately, hospitalizations have increased to 1,253.

   Nine out of 10 regions in New York are above a positivity rate of 1%, and Western New York currently shows the highest rate at 3.4%. Sadly, 14 New Yorkers died of coronavirus yesterday.

   “The surge in cases around the country and the globe is a stark reminder that this pandemic is far from over, and while we are doing a good job keeping our positivity rate comparatively low, the numbers in Western New York are a caution flag," Governor Cuomo said. "We're staying on top of this situation by continuing our aggressive micro-cluster strategy, expanding testing capacity and enforcing compliance of the public health law. But New Yorkers must continue to practice the basic daily behaviors that make such a difference in our ability to slow the spread. Be vigilant, wear a mask, stay socially distanced and wash your hands. We can beat this virus but only if we work together and stay 'New York Tough.'"

 (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)