Monroe County records 221 new COVID-19 cases

New York – According to the Monroe County Department of Health, 1,361 people have died of COVID-19, and 71,663 positive cases have been recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.

Of the 71,663 positive cases, 221 are new as of Friday. It’s the first time Monroe County has reported over 200 new cases in one day since May 13, 2021.

The seven-day rolling average positivity rate, based on combined Antigen and PCR test results (New York State guidelines), is 4.0% as of Aug. 26, and 5.79% based on NAAT test results (CDC guidelines) as of Aug. 24. The seven-day rolling average of new cases as of Friday is 155 new cases per day.

As of Aug. 24, 151 people were hospitalized, 46 of whom were in the ICU.

On Aug. 11, the CDC reported Monroe County is considered a county of high COVID transmission. In a statement, Monroe County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said: “As we report more than 200 new cases today, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in Monroe County. We are heading in the wrong direction and, as we prepare to begin the new school year, we urge you to continue taking the precautions we know will help prevent infection. This is how we will keep our schools fully open and our families safe.”