Unvaccinated Are 99% Of NY COVID-19 Cases; HV Vax Rates Rising

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — In New York, COVID-19 is overwhelmingly sickening people who are unvaccinated, new state trackers show.

As of Monday, the New York State Department of Health is aware of 78,416 laboratory-confirmed breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among fully-vaccinated people in New York State, which corresponds to 0.7 percent of fully-vaccinated people 12 or older. Also, 5,555 hospitalizations with COVID-19 among fully-vaccinated people in New York State corresponds to 0.05 percent of the population of fully-vaccinated people 12 or older.

Gov. Kathy Hochul made the announcement about the new vaccination data trackers Thursday.

"We're implementing mask requirements in schools and facilities to keep children and their parents safe, but those measures alone won't defeat this pandemic—we need to get everyone who's eligible vaccinated immediately," she said. "If you haven't received your shot and are eligible, it's vitally important that you get it as soon as possible at one of the many sites located around the state."

State researchers have created two new webpages to provide expanded COVID-19 data. The first focuses on COVID-19 variants, providing up-to-date data and information on how and why scientists track variants.

The second webpage includes the COVID-19 Breakthrough Data Report, which displays COVID-19 breakthrough cases, hospitalizations and in-depth statewide data over time.

In the Hudson Valley, 70.3 percent of the total population has had at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine — slightly above the state rate of 68.2 percent. However, in the region, vaccination rates vary widely from county to county.

• Dutchess: 66.1 percent
• Orange: 56.8 percent
• Putnam: 71 percent
• Rockland: 59.9 percent
• Ulster: 70.9 percent
• Westchester: 75 percent

Still, people continue to seek vaccination. The state health department reported another 2,550 Hudson Valley residents with at least one shot yesterday.

These Hudson Valley communities have vaccination rates of at least 99 percent.

Hochul also discussed the vaccination mandate for healthcare workers, which goes into effect Monday.

She called on healthcare workers, who have dedicated their lives to helping the vulnerable and sick, to get vaccinated. She also thanked the 84 percent of healthcare workers statewide who have been vaccinated so far.

"God bless you. Thank you for doing what you know is right," Hochul said, adding that patients in the hospital should not have to worry about contracting COVID-19 from those charged with protecting their help.

In the region, the state lists these vaccination rates among workers reported by hospitals as of Tuesday:

• Mid-Hudson Valley Division Of Westchester Medical Center, Westchester Medical Center Health Network 93%
• Northern Dutchess Hospital Nuvance Health 65%
• Vassar Brothers Medical Center Nuvance Health 54%
• Bon Secours Community Hospital Westchester Medical Center Health Network 82%
• Orange Regional Medical Center Garnet Health -Formerly Greater Hudson Valley Health System 82%
• St Anthony Community Hospital Westchester Medical Center Health Network 81%
• St Lukes Cornwall Hospital Newburgh Montefiore Healthcare System 82%
• Putnam Hospital Center Nuvance Health 56%
• Good Samaritan Hospital Of Suffern Westchester Medical Center Health Network 82%
• Helen Hayes Hospital New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System 83%
• Montefiore Nyack Montefiore Healthcare System 69%
• Catskill Regional Medical Center Garnet Health -Formerly Greater Hudson Valley Health System 65%
• Catskill Regional Medical Center G Hermann Site Garnet Health -Formerly Greater Hudson Valley Health System 65%
• Ellenville Regional Hospital Independent 81%
• Healthalliance Hospital Broadway Campus Westchester Medical Center Health Network 75%
• Blythedale Childrens Hospital Independent 94%
• Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital Montefiore Healthcare System 91%
• Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital Montefiore Healthcare System 77%
• New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System 90%
• Newyork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System 94%
• Northern Westchester Hospital Association Northwell Health 94%
• Phelps Hospital Northwell Health 94%
• Sjrh - Dobbs Ferry Pavilion Riverside Health Care System, Inc. 90%
• Sjrh - St Johns Division Riverside Health Care System, Inc. 83%
• St Josephs Medical Center Independent 93%
• Westchester Medical Center Westchester Medical Center Health Network 79%
• White Plains Hospital Center Montefiore Healthcare System 92%
• Winifred Masterson Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Montefiore Healthcare System 92%

"We have a life-saving vaccination that people are clamoring for in other parts of the world," Hochul said. "Shame on us if we don't take advantage of it."