WNY Has a Higher COVID-19 Positive Rate Than the Biggest City in America

Western New York's COVID-19 positive rate over the past seven days is greater than the largest city in the United States. According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul's daily COVID-19 update for today, Wednesday, September 29, 2021, WNY's 7-day average percentage of positive test results is higher than that of New York City, the biggest city in America (population-wise, not land mass-wise).

The 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported for Sunday, September 26, 2021, Monday, September 27, 2021, and Tuesday, September 28, 2021, for NYC was 1.65%, 1.61%, and 1.56% respectively. For WNY, the 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the same three days was 4.41%, 4.26%, and 4.33% respectively. The statewide 7-day average percentage of positive test results for those three days was 2.72%, 2.65% and, 2.67% respectively. Just for perspective, New York City is home to almost 9 million people, while the WNY region is home to almost 3 million New Yorkers.

Governor Hochul continues to encourage New York residents to get vaccinated,

"The best thing we can do to keep each other safe is get vaccinated - vaccines are effective, free and readily available. The vaccines are proven to reduce the effects of COVID-19 and help keep your community, family and friends healthy and safe. If you haven't already, get yours today to protect yourself and your loved ones."

According to the Centers for Disease Control data reported to the state, the majority of New Yorkers are vaccinated,

Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.9%
Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.3%

Here’s Who is Eligible to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster in New York

If you would like to get your COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, here's the info on whether you are eligible, according to the Governor's website.

If you belong to one of these groups, you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine booster immediately:

- New Yorkers aged 65 years and older, who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
- New Yorkers in long-term care facilities, who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
- New Yorkers ages 50 to 64 years who have underlying medical conditions, who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
- New Yorkers ages 18 to 49 years who have underlying medical conditions, who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
- New Yorkers ages 18 to 64 years, who have an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their occupation, who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

You must have received your Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least six months or more ago. Residents who received the Moderna or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson are not eligible at this time.

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