New Coronavirus News from 24 Dec 2021

New York state reports over 44,000 positive COVID-19 cases [Spectrum News NY1, 24 Dec 2021]

BY FARAZ TOOR

New York state has once again set a record for new daily COVID-19 cases, now passing the 40,000 mark as the omicron variant spreads.

The state reported 44,431 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office announced Friday. The previous record, set on Thursday, was 38,835, which was substantially higher than the previous record of 28,942 that was set Wednesday.

Across the state, 148 people per 100,000 have tested positive for the virus on a seven-day average, according to state data, up from 116 two days earlier.

In New York City, 204 residents out of every 100,000 people tested positive Thursday, up from the seven-day average of 176 a day earlier. In upstate New York, the Southern Tier had the highest figure at 91 cases per 100,000 people, down from 99 on Wednesday.

The state's seven-day average positivity rate is now 10.2 percent. New York's City's rate is the same, according to the state. Across the state, 359,191 test results were reported in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 4,744 New Yorkers in the hospital, up from 4,534 on Wednesday, but the state's hospitalization rate has not increased at a rate commensurate with the surge in positive cases.

"Thanks to vaccines and boosters, our fight against the pandemic is going better than last Christmas but we still must ensure we're taking the proper precautions to keep each other safe this holiday season," Hochul said in a statement. "Get vaccinated, get the booster if you're already vaccinated, and make sure to mask up and wash your hands—especially if you're visiting elderly loved ones. Take care to protect your most vulnerable loved ones who join you around the dinner table this weekend, and let's make sure we're enjoying a healthy Christmas and happy holiday season."

Health care facilities in New York reported 69 new COVID-19-related deaths, up from 63 the day before, according to the state.