BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Local state lawmakers are still concerned about the COVID positivity rate in Western New York and of the slowing vaccination rates statewide.
"Right now, Erie County has the highest COVID rate of any county in New York State," State Senator Sean Ryan said Friday. "While we keep wanting to be out of the woods, we're not quite there yet. We still need to encourage people to be safe and get their vaccines. If they don't get their vaccines, we're going to plateau and not be able to come down."
At the time of our conversation with the senator, Western New York was still among the worst performing regions in the state with 7-day average of 2.6%. However, the Finger Lakes region had a higher rate and Orleans County had the highest positive rate in the state. The positive rate has steadily declined since mid-April. New York's statewide positivity has been less than 2% since May 3.
Nearly half of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, supply is now outweighing demand and fewer people are willing to get a vaccine.
"We all agree the vaccination is the quickest way to reopen," Assemblyman Bill Conrad said. "I would say (we should open sooner) when we get a clear indication from the hospitals. Where are we in terms of bed capacity? I think this whole thing was set up to...break the curve and (not overwhelm the hospitals). That's something that's in the back of my mind constantly."
71% of hospital workers statewide have been fully vaccinated. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have steadily dropped since spiking again in mid-April. The state reported that a third of hospital beds were still available in Western New York, which is less than the state average.
Governor Andrew Cuomo last week said he plans to increase capacity limits among most parts of the state so long as they can still follow social distancing. It appears there is little interest by Democratic lawmakers, who hold the majority in Albany, to act on any capacity-related plans of the governors.
"We have to hear from our residents and our medical professionals," Conrad said. "I'm not a doctor and don't know disease and how things transfer. I think we'll be listening to them and hear what they're saying. You're hearing from a lot of them now and we're seeing schools reopen safely. We're moving, I think, in a great direction."
