ALBANY (WCBS 880) — New York State’s COVID-19 hospitalizations surged more than 225% in the last month as nearly three-fourths of all U.S. counties are now classified as “high transmission” areas, according to a new report.
WNBC-TV reports 72% of all counties in the United States are now classified as “high transmission” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – meaning there are more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents in those areas.
All five boroughs, all of Long Island, nearly half of New Jersey and about a quarter of the counties in Connecticut fall under that distinction, according to new data from the CDC.
Just a handful of counties in Western and Northern New York are classified as “moderate transmission” areas.
Experts note that the delta variant is fueling the rise in new cases across the country, and while some areas have created new mask mandates to prevent the spread of the virus – New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have yet to do so.
Though, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is strongly recommending all residents – including those who have been fully vaccinated against the virus – wear masks in all indoor settings. The news came last week as he announced that all new city employees will be required to show proof of vaccination before reporting to work.
It remains unclear if any new COVID-19 precautions will be enacted in the Tri-State area, which is seeing its hospitalization numbers climb dramatically.
Hospitalizations in New York State are back above 1,120 – which is a 227% increase from last month, according to WNBC. The state has also reported around 70 deaths from the virus over the last week.
All local lawmakers and health officials continue to recommend everyone get vaccinated for the virus to protect themselves against the delta variant.
In New York State, nearly 70% of the total population over the age of 18 has been fully vaccinated.