For the fifth straight day, Western New York posted the highest positive coronavirus test rate in the state.
In what has been a recurring theme, the state posted yet another daily positive test rate under 1% despite Western New York being well over that. While the state was under 1% Monday for the 18th straight day (0.94%), Western New York's rate was 1.8%.
State data had the five-county region (Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany) recording 84 positive cases among 4,789 tests Monday.
The next-highest regional rates were 1.4% for the Capital Region; 1.1% for Long Island; and 1.0% for the Mid-Hudson; the five other regions were all under 1%.
The state's 0.94% rate Monday was a result of 629 positive cases among 67,255 tests.
State data from Monday had Erie County's 55 cases third in the state – behind New York City (231) and Long Island's Nassau County (64) – among a total of 3,320 test for a positive test rate of 1.7%.
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While the numbers have caused some concern and led Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to call the trend a "caution flag," experts have said it's too early to draw conclusions; the numbers do not show an obvious pattern of infection growth. As of Monday afternoon, the numbers of confirmed cases per thousand residents in this region was not that different from what it was in mid-July, or even two weeks ago.
Erie County's seven-day rolling average for its positive test rate is also 1.7%. According to state data, that is Erie County's highest seven-day rolling average since it hit 1.7% on July 16 and 17; the last time it was higher was 1.9% on June 12.
The county reported its Monday total as 51.
Daily totals from the respective counties often differ slightly from the state's data due to discrepancies that can include tests administered in one county on individuals who are not from that county, or circumstances such as the timing and/or reporting of tests.
The state reported Tuesday that Chautauqua County had 16 positive cases Monday, its highest total of the pandemic. With 415 tests, the county's daily positive test rate was 3.9%, which lifted its seven-day positive test rate average to 1.3%, its highest since July 15.
Chautauqua County reported 15 tests on Monday and said that 10 of those were associated with the Fieldbrook Foods Inc. plant located in Dunkirk.
Niagara County reported 10 cases on Tuesday, which matched the number reported by the state.
State data had Niagara County administering 591 tests Monday for a positive test rate of 1.7% and a seven-day rolling average of 1.1%. The last time its seven-day rolling average was that high was Aug. 8; it hasn't been higher since July 12 (1.2%).
Niagara County also reported two confirmed coronavirus deaths on Monday, its first reported deaths since it reported one on Aug. 6.
Those two deaths were the first reported in the eight-county Western New York area (including Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming County) since Erie County reported two deaths on Aug. 18.
The state reported that Monday's statewide total of two coronavirus deaths equaled its low of the entire pandemic.
Read the full story from News Staff Reporters Caitlin Dewey and Thomas Prohaska.
