Subvariant Drives Climb in Twin Tiers COVID Rates

As the COVID pandemic moves back into the spotlight with word that Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive in spite of being vaccinated and doubled-boosted, Southern Tier case numbers are also reflecting the high transmission of the latest subvariant of the coronavirus.

Broome County’s new cases increased by 155 in the April 26 report with the 5-day report jumping from about 750 to 819.  There’s been another death, bringing the total to 508.  Hospitalizations were also up slightly from the average of about 40 to 45 to 50 patients in Broome hospitals for treatment of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Tioga County reports its first death since February 23, bringing its pandemic fatality total to 83.

Over the weekend, Cortland County surpassed 11,000 total cases since the start of the pandemic. Cortland has recorded now 11,078 total cases as of the Tuesday report with 120 fatalities.

Chenango County has lost 120 residents while Delaware County has lost 72 neighbors to the pandemic.

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Northeast Pennsylvania numbers are also rising.  The number of new cases in Bradford County over the past week increased by 204 with four new deaths.  Susquehanna County had 74 new cases but no additional deaths and Wayne County had 61 new cases and another death.  The previous week, Bradford added 155 cases, Susquehanna 65 and Wayne 48.

In New York, the statewide positivity rate jumped April 26 from 6.74 per 100,000 population to 9.3 per 100,000 population.  The seven-day average stands at 7.12%.