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In the latest data released by the state Department of Health, a total of 817 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Hudson Valley, with the average seven-day infection rate in the region dropping to 5.65 percent on Wednesday, Feb. 3, down slightly from 5.66 percent the previous day and 5.76 on Monday.
The statewide average positive infection rate continues to drop, down to 4.72 after dipping below five for the first time since early December this week.
Thirty-one new COVID-19 patients were discharged from Hudson Valley hospitals, bringing the total to 926, representing 0.04 percent of the region's population. The Department of Health is reporting 43 percent of hospital beds are still available in the Hudson Valley, among the highest percentage of the state's 10 regions.
As of Thursday, Feb. 4, there are 406 COVID-19 patients in ICU in the Hudson Valley, filling approximately 60 percent of the region's designated beds, while the number of intubations rose slightly.
A breakdown of new cases in each of the Hudson Valley's seven counties is as follows:
- Westchester: 347 new (95,989 total);
- Orange County: 166 (32,830);
- Rockland: 144 (35,094);
- Dutchess: 70 (19,512);
- Ulster County: 46 (8,955);
- Putnam: 24 (7,456);
- Sullivan: 20 (4,278);
- Total: 817 (204,114).
New deaths were also reported in:
- Westchester: 10 (1,948 total);
- Dutchess: 4 (372);
- Orange: 4 (598);
- Rockland: 3 (656);
- Ulster: 1 (213);
- Putnam: 0 (82);
- Sullivan: 0 (57).
- Total: 22 (3,932).
"The good news is New York's numbers continue to show progress as the holiday surge recedes," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "Our positivity rate has been steadily declining, and that success is a reflection of New Yorkers' commitment to defeating this beast."
There were 169,186 COVID-19 tests administered in New York on Feb. 3, according to Cuomo, resulting in 7,967 new cases for a 4.38 percent positive infection rate, down slightly from earlier in the week.
The latest infection rate is the lowest the state has recorded since Nov. 28.
More than 100 COVID-19 patients were discharged from New York hospitals, as the total dropped to 7,967 still being treated statewide. There are 1,506 patients in ICU, and 986 are currently intubated. There were 135 new COVID-19-related deaths reported in the past 24 hours.
Statewide, there have been 1,440,718 confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York out of 32.78 million tested. There have been 35,767 virus-related deaths reported since the pandemic began.
The Hudson Valley has now received 219,420 allocations of COVID-19 vaccine doses, with 159,786 doses administered. The 73 percent of vaccines used is the lowest rate in the state.
"We know the weapon to win the war is the vaccine and more and more needles are getting in arms every day, but the federal supply is still not enough," Cuomo continued. "This has been a long road, but I commend New Yorkers for their determination through it all.
The governor also reminded New Yorkers to stay safe during this weekend's Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"As we enter into Super Bowl weekend, we cannot get cocky with COVID - we must remain vigilant: be smart, wear a mask, socially distance, and stay New York Tough."
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