[ad_1]
Once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York City can now boast of having the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate of any region in the Empire State, according to state Health Department data.
The weekly average COVID-19 positivity rate in the Big Apple is 1.16 percent as of Monday, less than half the statewide average of 2.65 percent.
By comparison, the positivity rate was 6.4 percent in the Buffalo-Western NY region, 6.68 percent in the Finger Lakes, 5.51 percent in the Mohawk Valley, 4.59 percent in the Albany Capital Region, 4.65 percent in the Syracuse-Central NY region, 3.64 percent in the Southern Tier, 2.5 percent in Long Island and 1.92 percent in the Hudson Valley.
The seven-day average for COVID-19 positivity in both The Bronx and Manhattan were slightly under 1 percent.
The positivity rate is 1.44 percent in Staten Island, 1.31 percent in Brooklyn, and 1.24 percent in Queens.
According to US Centers for Disease Control figures, 58,413 New Yorkers have died from COVID-19.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said with winter approaching, New Yorkers must continue to be vigilant and get vaccinated.
“With temperatures dropping and New Yorkers spending more time inside, it’s vital we all get vaccinated,” Hochul said when releasing the figures Tuesday night.
“With 5- to 11-year-olds now eligible, all school-aged children are now able to get vaccinated and we are doing everything we can to ensure they do. Not only will it protect the community, but there are numerous incentive programs in place that provide added benefits of getting your shot.”
The low positivity rate in the city comes amid controversy over Mayor Bill de Blasio’s mandate requiring all municipal government workers to get vaccinated.
A separate state edict requires health care workers to get vaccinated.
[ad_2]