Hudson Valley Coronavirus: NY's 2nd Highest Positivity Rate

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — While New York State is doing well on the whole with coronavirus positivity rates now far below the holiday surge, the Hudson Valley is above average.

The Hudson region posted a 7-day average of 4.18 percent, lower only than New York City's 4.35 percent. The statewide positivity rate is 2.85 percent, according to the most recent state data.

"Why is there such a variance within one state?" Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo asked at his coronavirus briefing Wednesday. "This is a function of personal behavior."

Meanwhile, state officials will lift some restrictions on gatherings and entertainment.

As of March 22, residential gatherings of up to 25 can now be held outdoors, with indoor gatherings capped at 10. Non-residential social gatherings of up to 100 people can take place indoors and events with up to 200 people can be held outdoors.

Beginning April 2, event, arts, and entertainment venues will be able to reopen at 33 percent capacity, with up to 100 people inside and up to 200 outside. If guests provide a negative coronavirus test before entering, the capacity at the venue can be increased to up to 150 indoors and up to 500 outdoors. Face coverings and social distancing will still be mandated.

The state is developing an app called the Empire Pass Program with IBM that will allow people to show negative coronavirus test results before entrance to events that require testing. That app has been tested both at Barclays and Madison Square Garden, and those tests have been successful, state officials said; once the state receives approvals, the app will be available for download.