NY reports 85,000 cases, highest 1-day tally since pandemic began

Infections From Holidays Unlikely To Have Reflected Yet

New York state recordedover 85,000 new corona-virus cases on the last day of 2021, the highest oneday total in the state since the pandemic began, officials announced on Saturday. The number of positive test results —85,476, or roughly 22% of the total tests reported by the state — once again outstripped a record set just the day before. And New York’s turbocharged increase in cases shows no signs of slowing, with new infections from holiday travel and gatherings most likely not yet reflected in official counts.

“As we fight the winter surge, we need to keep the most vulnerable among us in mind — do what you can to keep others in your community safe from Covid-19,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement announcing the state’s latest totals. “Wear a mask, wash your hands and take advantage of the best tool we have at our disposal — the vaccine.”

New York is one of several hot spots — along with Washington, DC, and other eastern states — leading a national surge. On Thursday, a record 5,85,013 new cases were recorded nationwide.