Coronavirus Cases Drop Sharply In The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Far fewer people getting tested for coronavirus are testing positive in the Hudson Valley and, indeed, statewide.

In New York, the 7-day average of new cases plummeted 38.9 percent in the past week, according to state health department data released Tuesday.

In the Hudson Valley, 15.2 percent of people who got tests tested positive Monday. That compares to 21.1 percent at the height of the omicron surge Jan. 9.

In the region, Orange, Rockland and Sullivan counties averaged the most cases per 100,000 residents in the past week.

Hospitalizations also have begun a downward trend in the region, though not as sharply.

Daily deaths from COVID-19 continue to top 100 in the state; the reported death toll was 168 on Monday, 152 on Sunday, 154 on Saturday, 187 Friday, 177 on Thursday, 195 on Wednesday and 166 on Jan. 11.

"We hope to close the books on this winter surge soon, so we can turn the page and open the book on our 2023 budget outlook and focus on the post pandemic future," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in her COVID-19 briefing Tuesday. "As numbers continue to move in the right direction, we need to remain vigilant against the winter surge by getting the vaccine and boosters, continuing to use masks, and staying home if you feel sick, so we can keep our fellow New Yorkers safe. Let's not undo all of the progress we've made."