Governor Hochul: Statewide positivity falls below 10%

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul says the state’s COVID positivity numbers continue to trend in the right direction, falling under 10% for the first time since Dec. 10, 2021.

#COVID Percent Positive Update:

-290,107 Test Results Reported
-9.75% Positive pic.twitter.com/xuiAXIYJPc

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 21, 2022

The Finger Lakes region was at 16.03% Thursday.

Hospitalizations also are trending downward, still, there were 154 deaths reported Thursday.

#COVID Case and Hospitalization Update:

-28,296 New Cases
-11,016 Hospitalizations (-354)
-154 New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS pic.twitter.com/OQTFyEEu4T

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 21, 2022

With the numbers falling, the governor was pressed by reporters during her Friday news conference if she was considering lifting indoor masking mandates any time soon.

The governor reiterated her stance that she’ll follow the numbers and talk to experts before making any decision.

"I’d be negligent if I said now on a certain date something is going to happen. I think people respect that," Hochul said. "I’m not going to operate in a vacuum. We’re going to have data and experts and people who know a lot about what the next trends are, but I am really looking forward to lifting them—I truly am."

She pointed out how quickly the Omicron variant spread after it was first detected toward the end of November.

She also reiterated the fact that when it comes to COVID numbers, there’s about a two-week lag for Upstate New York.