Western New York's Covid-19 positive test rate has continued its recent improvement compared to other regions in the state.
The region's rolling, seven-day average positive rate stood at 6.33% as of Wednesday, according to the most recent state data. That's a decline from the average of 6.39% on Tuesday and of 6.49% for Monday in the counties of Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany.
And, after a lengthy stretch when Western New York had the highest regional positive rate in the state, drawing the concern of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the five-county region now ranks sixth in the state and well behind the 8%-plus rates for the Mohawk Valley and the Finger Lakes.
"Western New York, we've made progress," Cuomo said in his most recent news conference with reporters on Wednesday.
The overall state positive rate is 5.55%.
Looking at hospitalizations, a key metric indicating the severity of the virus' surge, there are 6,928 New Yorkers hospitalized for treatment of Covid-19, an increase of 64 from the day before. The state reported 1,160 patients are in hospital intensive care units, a drop of six, and 129 people died across the state from the virus.
In this area, 496 patients were receiving care for Covid-19 in Western New York hospitals. The state said 32% of the region's hospital beds are available.
Cuomo previously said a region could undergo a more extensive shutdown if it determines it is 21 days away from filling 85% of its hospital beds.
"The holiday season is normally a time for celebration, but this year is different – we must celebrate smart, and not allow COVID to be the Grinch that results in increased viral spread as a result of the holidays," he said in a statement Thursday.
