New York’s weekly tally of COVID-19 cases dropped about 19% last week, as the list of “high-risk” counties shrank to seven from 54 a few weeks ago.
New York reported 42,634 new COVID-19 cases in the week ending Sunday, down from 52,439 cases the prior month.
New York ranked 20th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows.
Nationally, COVID-19 cases decreased about 1% from the week before, with 753,773 cases reported amid continued signs that the latest omicron variant wave was receding in many states.
Meanwhile, just seven of 62 counties in New York fell into the “high-risk” category based on local COVID-19 case rates and hospital capacity issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. That’s down from 15 counties deemed high risk a week ago and 32 counties two weeks ago.
State and federal health officials urged people to wear masks indoors in public spaces in all counties within the high-risk category, regardless of vaccination status, to help curb the virus’ spread.
Despite the lull in COVID-19 cases, authorities urged New Yorkers to remain up to date on vaccinations and boosters, citing the prospect of another variant emerging over the summer and likely resurgence of outbreaks in the fall.
“While we continue to monitor the numbers, we must remain vigilant against this virus and stay prepared for any potential surges later this year,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Further, a federal advisory panel appears poised this week to recommend two COVID-19 vaccines for the youngest children under age 5, USA TODAY reported.
In detailed information made public Friday and Sunday, staff for the Food and Drug Administration reviewed safety and effectiveness data for the Moderna vaccine for ages 6 months to 17 years and for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years.
The review was positive, raising no new safety issues or concerns about trial data, most of which had been previously released by the companies.
The Biden administration has said if the vaccines are authorized this week, they would become available as soon as June 21 (a day after the federal Juneteenth holiday) at local pharmacies, pediatricians’ offices, libraries, children’s museums, health centers, and other outlets.
How COVID is spreading in New York
- In the latest week, Westchester County saw its COVID-19 cases decline 15%, reporting 2,428 cases and two deaths.
- Rockland County’s cases fell 17%, reporting 634 cases and two deaths.
- Putnam County’s cases plummeted 23%, reporting 193 cases and zero deaths.
- Dutchess County’s cases declined 12%, reporting 537 cases and two deaths.
- Upstate, Monroe County’s COVID-19 cases fell 24%, reporting 702 cases and eight deaths.
- Oneida County’s cases plummeted 47%, reporting 209 cases and zero deaths.
- Broome County’s cases declined 27%, reporting 197 cases and zero deaths.
Across New York, cases fell in 56 counties, with the best declines in:
- Kings County, with 6,056 cases from 7,117.
- Erie County, with 892 cases from 1,505.
>> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases
Within New York, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in:
- New York County with 399 cases per 100,000 per week.
- Queens County with 314.
- Nassau County with 297.
The Centers for Disease Control says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week.
In New York, 138 people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 179 people were reported dead.
A total of 5,509,507 people in New York have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 69,272 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 85,515,795 people have tested positive and 1,011,275 people have died.
Track coronavirus cases across the United States
New York’s COVID-19 hospital admissions staying flat
USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, June 12.
Likely COVID patients admitted in the state:
- Last week: 3,543
- The week before that: 3,572
- Four weeks ago: 4,346
Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation:
- Last week: 59,343
- The week before that: 56,290
- Four weeks ago: 49,207
Hospitals in 30 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 31 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 29 states admitted more COVID-19 patients in the latest week than a week prior, the USA TODAY analysis of U.S. Health and Human Services data shows.
The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control. If you have questions about the data or the story, contact Mike Stucka at mstucka@gannett.com.
