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After weeks of ultra-contagious omicron subvariants spreading across New York, something else is finally spreading: good news.
The state’s weeklong COVID case rate fell for the sixth straight day on Monday, hitting its lowest level since May 7, Gov. Hochul’s office said.
The daily number of coronavirus deaths soared after falling into single digits a few days last month, and the state announced 24 more deaths on Monday. But the steady decline in cases has offered a welcome signal as New Yorkers hope for a virus-anxiety-free summer.
“As we continue to monitor the numbers, I encourage New Yorkers to continue using the tools to protect themselves and treat COVID-19,” Hochul said in a statement.
The state’s test positivity has remained quite high, with 9.1% of swabs showing positive results in the latest daily report from the governor’s office. And the metrics remain muddled as many New Yorkers test themselves at home with rapid diagnostics.
Hochul gave a familiar message in his statement, but one that not everyone in the state heeded: “The best way to stay out of the hospital with COVID-19 is to keep up to date with your vaccinations and your booster doses”.
About 95% of adult New Yorkers have started their first round of inoculations, according to government figures. But only 56% of the eligible population added an extra layer of protection by receiving a booster shot, according to the state health department.
Vaccination rates are also lagging significantly among young New Yorkers, who face lower COVID risks but sometimes land in hospital with the virus. Less than half of New Yorkers between the ages of 5 and 11 have received even one stroke, according to state figures.
Hochul also continued his calls for New Yorkers to keep testing as the numbers drop, saying in his statement that “the worst thing we can let happen is letting our guard down.”
“Make sure you get tested to make sure you don’t spread the virus to your loved ones,” Hochul said in the statement. “And, if you test positive, talk to your doctor about treatment.”