NEW YORK (WBEN) -- New York state reported 9,702 new coronavirus cases on Sunday as hospitalizations increased to more than 4,400 patients.
The 9,702 new cases were out of 205,832 tests conducted Saturday, for a statewide positivity rate of 4.71%.
The state’s positivity rate has dipped below 5% the past two days after rising to 5.41% on Friday. New cases also dropped below 10,000 for the first time in two days on Sunday.
The Western New york region continues to lead the state with a 7-day rolling average of 7.4%. In Erie County, the latest daily positivity rate is at 8.1% and the 7-day olling average is at 7.7%. Within Erie County, the yellow cluster zone rate of 9.1% is higher than the orange cllluster zone rate of 7.53%. The Niagara County yellow cluster zone rate is at 9.13% according to the latest state data.
Hospitalizations continued to climb statewide, rising by 124 to 4,442, including 648 newly admitted patients.
The number of patients in intensive care rose by 25 to 850, while the number of intubated patients increased by 29 to 464.
“We're closely monitoring hospital capacity and have implemented triggers to ensure hospitals have what they need,” Cuomo said in a statement Sunday.
The state reported 56 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 27,149.
“COVID-19 is spreading, and it affects all New Yorkers, Upstate and downstate,” Cuomo warned, as he urged residents to remain disciplined even amid hope that a vaccine is coming.