Positivity rates for COVID-19 and hospitalizations continued their downward pace over the weekend. According to the latest state numbers, the seven-day average for the COVID-19 positivity rate has declined for 23 straight days to 5.17%, which is the same rate for Western New York.

“We’ve dealt with a holiday surge driven by increased social activity, the surge is reducing, and the state’s seven-day average positivity rate has declined for 23 straight days, which is a significant trend,” noted state Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “As we continue to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as supply will allow, with our expansive distribution network ready to vaccinate significantly more people, it’s critical that New Yorkers stay safe. All the models show a continued reduction, and so we’ve been able to loosen restrictions with micro-clusters, the orange zones, and New York City indoor dining. In the here and now, the news is very good, but keep an eye on the U.K. variants and the other variants because all of them suggest more diligence will be needed.”

In addition, hospitalizations in the region are at their lowest levels since around the Thanksgiving holiday. On Saturday, the state reported 392 in beds in this region, the first time since late November there have been less than 400 seeking treatment.

There was some bad news for Chautauqua County, which does not update its COVID numbers over the weekend. According to the state, five more deaths were noted on Friday and Saturday. The county Health Department reported 103 deaths linked to COVID-19 as of Friday afternoon.

Four more deaths were reported in county nursing homes as well over the two-day period with two more in the Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and another two reported in Heritage Green in Greenhurst.

Cattaraugus County reported two deaths due to COVID-19 on Sunday. An 83-year-old male and 94-year-old female passed away due to complications.

Thirty-seven new cases were listed by the Health Department for a total of 3,765. There were 47 hospitalized, 413 active cases and 3,273 recoveries.