Gov. Hochul Discusses New York 'Shut Down' As COVID Rises Again

As COVID cases once again increase across New York, Gov. Hochul released her plan about a future "shut down."

On Friday, Gov. Hochul reported that 4.71 percent of COVID tests in the previous 24 hours were positive. The 7-day average percent positive is 4.68 percent. Hochul did not provide a COVID update on Saturday or Sunday, which is usually the case.

COVID Cases Increasing In New York Thanks To Two New Subvariants

Two highly contagious COVID variants are to blame for the rise in COVID cases.

"Two new and highly contagious variants circulating, so if you are traveling get tested, and if you test positive please stay home and consult your doctor on available treatments. Be smart, wear your mask if you're around vulnerable family members and think it's necessary, and make sure the friends and family you are spending time with are vaccinated and boosted if eligible," Hochul said in a press release on Friday.

Hochul Comments on Chance of New York COVID Shutdown

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Despite rising cases, Hochul assured Empire State residents she has no plans to shut down New York State because of COVID ever again.

"I’m not going to shut it down again, you can count on that," Hochul said Sunday in an interview on The Cats Roundtable.

Hochul says instead of any future shutdowns, she wants to focus on the health of New Yorkers and the health of New York's economy.

"I’m going to protect the health of New Yorkers, but I’m also protecting the economy," Hochul said.

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Last week, the New York State Department of Health announced the emergence of two Omicron subvariants in New York State, BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1. Both variants are sub-lineages of BA.2, which now accounts for 80.6 percent of COVID-19 infections in New York.

Over the past few weeks, the Department has been investigating higher than average infection rates in Central New York, officials say.

Health officials believe these new subvariants are about 25 to 30 percent more infectious than the original BA.2 variant.

Gov. Hochul Confirms Increase in COVID Cases in New York, Issues Tips

COVID Cases Increasing in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island

New York City health officials think the city's five boroughs may soon go to the medium-risk level because of an increase in cases connected to the subvariant.

After determining the cause of elevated cases statewide, New York health officials urge New Yorkers to continue to take the following precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19:

The CDC Says You Should Mask Up In These 10 Upstate NY Counties

The CDC has designated these 10 Upstate New York counties as currently "high-risk" for COVID as of April 14, 2022 and is recommending residents wear masks because of that designation. The designation is based on the number of hospital admissions per 100,000 residents in a 7 day period. Most of the counties on this list are in Western NY, centered around the Syracuse and Binghamton areas. In the Capital Region, Albany and Rensselaer Counties are currently at medium risk.