New York reports 67,000 COVID cases, up 64 percent in 24 hours

New York on Wednesday reported a new single-day high of 67,000 COVID-19 cases, a 64 percent increase in 24 hours, amid a recent rise of testing numbers due to the nationwide surge of the omicron variant.

More people are taking COVID-19 tests as families gather for the holidays, and as the threat of the highly contagious omicron variant hits the United States. 

In New York, more than 362,500 test results were reported, with a positivity rate of 18.5 percent, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) COVID-19 update. 

“As we approach the New Year it is vitally important that we don’t let our guard down in our fight against the pandemic,” Hochul said in a statement. 

“Let’s make it our collective New Year’s resolution to leave COVID in the past. We have the tools and we know what works – mask up, get vaccinated, get boosted, and exercise caution in large gatherings, especially this weekend.”

During a Wednesday press briefing, Hochul praised the high testing numbers as a “very positive outcome,” showing that the state can meet the increasing testing demand. 

The state government also reported 97 COVID-19 deaths, marking the first time in months that the state has seen daily death counts near 100.

Hospitalizations have also spiked. While some hospitals have managed the increase for the most part due to the omicron variant resulting in milder symptoms for fully vaccinated individuals, they still increased by 10 percent in the last day, to about 6,700 statewide.

As of Wednesday, 82 percent of adult New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Hochul warned Wednesday that state leaders are “preparing for a January surge.”

“We know it’s coming. And we’re naive to think it won’t,” Hochul said. “We do think there’s going to be a spike in cases that’s going to continue, not just in our positive rates but in our hospitalizations.”