Hochul: NY’s COVID rates improving, but plenty of work to be done

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul said COVID-19 rates across the state are improving, but there’s still plenty of work to be done to help increase our vaccination rates.

She said she’s watching our state’s numbers like a hawk. Here in Monroe County, our seven-day rolling infection rate is currently at 4%, compared to 2.1% statewide.

Hochul rolled up her own sleeve and received her booster shot today while visiting the campus of SUNY Binghamton. She said New York has a vaccination rate of 77.9% for those 18 and older.

The state is also doing great with 87% of residents already having their first dose. As she continues to push her message to get vaccinated as soon as possible, Hochul points out parts of the state are doing far better than others.

"I was in Manhattan yesterday, 0.67%. there are other parts of the state where people are wearing masks more often, people are getting vaccinated and all of that is there. We’re not in that desperate situation we were a year ago. We didn’t even have a vaccine available to us," Hochul said.

On Monday Monroe County announced 136 new cases, and nine deaths were reported between Oct. 10 and Oct. 18. 247 people here in the Finger Lakes region are currently hospitalized with the virus.